Dogs and wooden sticks
Dogs carry sticks and branches because, to them, it’s the perfect mix of instinct, play, texture, and “job satisfaction.” The short version: sticks feel good, smell interesting, activate ancient wolf behaviors, and give dogs a sense of purpose.
Why dogs love sticks
Wood mimics prey bones.
Sticks have the size, shape, and crunch of bones. For a creature descended from wolves, that’s irresistible.
Wood is fun to chew.
Wood offers resistance but also splinters in a way that feels satisfying. It’s basically nature’s chew toy.
Wood smells like nature.
A branch carries scents from soil, insects, sap, other animals, and weather. It’s a whole sensory story in one object.
Branches are easy to “carry proudly.”
Dogs love having a job. Holding a stick feels like a task: I found this. I’m carrying it. I’m contributing.
Sticks trigger play instincts.
Sticks are perfect for fetch, tug, chase, and showing off. They’re social objects.
Sticks are abundant and free.
No toy compares to the sheer availability of sticks. Dogs evolved to make use of whatever’s around.
Dogs often choose specific sticks: long ones, forked ones, heavy ones. Why? We don't know, but perhaps you noticed while playing or walking with your dog why they chose a particular stick.
My German Shepard, Lucky, always picked short, thick fallen tree branches. Why? Perhaps because once she got stuck in the door with a long branch and hurt her mouth? We may never know.
Erika M Szabo is known for her diverse range of writings, which span historical fantasy, magical realism, cozy mysteries, sweet romance, and children's literature. Her writing style is both expressive and insightful, transporting readers into the depths of the characters' emotions.
Born in a small town in Hungary, Erika grew up with a deep love for literature and storytelling. Always seen with a book in her hand from a young age and soon began creating her own intricate worlds and characters. Her gift for storytelling is evident to all those who know and have encouraged her to pursue her passion.
As she grew older, Erika's thirst for adventure and new experiences led her to travel the world. She lived in various countries, soaking up their cultures and traditions, and absorbing them into her writing. Her travels also allowed her to meet a diverse array of people, whose stories and perspectives she wove into her novels.
Born in a small town in Hungary, Erika grew up with a deep love for literature and storytelling. Always seen with a book in her hand from a young age and soon began creating her own intricate worlds and characters. Her gift for storytelling is evident to all those who know and have encouraged her to pursue her passion.
As she grew older, Erika's thirst for adventure and new experiences led her to travel the world. She lived in various countries, soaking up their cultures and traditions, and absorbing them into her writing. Her travels also allowed her to meet a diverse array of people, whose stories and perspectives she wove into her novels.
Despite her literary success and acclaim, Erika remains a humble and down-to-earth person. She often speaks of her belief in the power of words to connect and heal, and her writing reflects this deep empathy and understanding of human experience.
