Reynolds, 34, made a fairytale return this season after five years away, turning a train-and-trial deal into a spot in the top-30 squad and seven more games for the club he played with in the 2012 and 2014 grand finals.
On Monday afternoon, an emotional Reynolds fought back tears as he told the press his body no longer felt up to the rigours of first grade.
The entire Bulldogs NRL squad crammed into the media room at Belmore Sportsground as the five-eighth addressed his retirement, having been informed of his decision at training earlier in the day.
"It's been in my mind for a little bit," Reynolds said.
"There were a few training sessions where I was telling my body to get there and it just wasn't."
The arrival of fellow playmaker Toby Sexton from Gold Coast earlier this month led to Reynolds willingly stepping down from the top-30 squad.
He played the last of 145 Canterbury games in the round-11 loss to the Warriors and will run out in a Bulldogs jersey for the last time in the NSW Cup at Belmore this Saturday.
In honour of Reynolds, the club will rename the hill the 'Josh Reynolds Hill' for this weekend's clash against Brisbane, having made the same change for his initial farewell game in 2017.
"I played my U7s grand final here when I was seven years old and now to be able to play my final game here in a Bulldogs jersey is very special," Reynolds said.
Aside from appearing in Canterbury's two most recent grand-final appearances, Reynolds played four State of Origin games for NSW and was a member of the 2014 side that broke a run of eight consecutive Queensland series victories.
Nicknamed 'Grub' for his physical approach to the game, Reynolds left the Dogs at the end of 2017 for a big-money deal with Wests Tigers and later joined Hull FC in the English Super League.
"I was always filthy with myself for leaving here," Reynolds said.
"I've been chasing the feeling ever since I left and I finally got it back."
Reynolds hopes to transition into an off-field role amid the club's ongoing rebuild.
"I really want to help the club back to where it belongs," he said.
"Whether that's playing golf with the sponsors or meeting the boys at The Doghouse for a few (beers) after, I'll do it.
"We always talk about in our meetings what you want to be known for. I want to be one of those guys that the boys always wanted to play with. Every other team probably hates me, which is fine.
"I wanted to be the guy they can always lean on in any team and that's what I hope I've brought."
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