Some dogs jazz to sit on us . This behavior is n’t only seen in pocket-size dogs likeChihuahuasand Pugs who can well fit on our laps — even large wiener likeGreat DanesandRottweilersare known to sit on their preferent parent .
OK , but why does my dog care to seat on me ? Do they simply view me as a comfortable chair rather than a human ?
Comfort may be one reason why dog sit on you , but there are several other reasons as well . We asked the expert to press in .
Why Does My Dog Sit on Me?
Physical or Emotional Comfort
Dr. Katherine Houpt , a professor emeritus of behavioral medical specialty atCornell University ’s College of Veterinary Medicine , says dogs may sit on us merely because they “ like to have something against their back . ” Or , they might sit on us for warmth , she says .
“ They ’re much more likely to sit on you when it ’s inhuman than when it ’s hot , ” Dr. Houpt says .
But it ’s not just about forcible comfort . Dogs may also sit down on us when they need emotional quilt .
“ You make good security for them , ” Dr. Houpt says . “ Part of it is puppy behavior , because puppy sleep in a radical , and then as they get sure-enough , they sleep separately . But I think Canis familiaris tend to suppose of us jolly as mothers . ”
They’re Scared
Dogs may be more interested in sit on us when they ’re scared . For case , they might want to sit on you during a visit to the veterinary clinic . Or , just because they like being near us . “It may be because … they feel secure and comfortable being close to you , ” says Dr. Amy Pike , an fauna behaviourist atAnimal Behavior Wellness Centerin Virginia .
Attention Seeking
“ It could be attention seeking because when they sit on you , you are likely verbalize to them , pet them , ” Dr. Pike says .
Resource Guarding of Possessive Aggression
It ’s also potential that your dog is sitting on your circle because they are feel possessive and they want to guard one of their most prized resources — you .
“ If a dog is sit on you and growling at people or other animals who go about you , that dog is in reality demonstrate what we callresource guardingor possessive aggression , ” Dr. Pike says . “ This character of aggression happen whenever a dog is in proximity to something it sees as extremely valuable , including but not limited to intellectual nourishment , toys , rest location , and peculiar people . ”
Dr. Houpt says dogs may also become more aggressive toward other frump while sit on you because they “ may trust that you will back them up in any conflicts . ”
“ Do n’t let the dog sit on you if he has aggress from that side , ” Dr. Houpt advises .
Why Does My Dog Sit on My Feet, Chest, or Head?
Besides your lap , dogs may also sit down on your ft , which Dr. Houpt says could have something to do with scent .
“ I recall feet smell very interesting to dog-iron , ” Dr. Houpt says . “ And so , they ’ll often sniff your shoes … so that could be part of it . I suppose it ’s very idiosyncratic — some frankfurter do and some dog do n’t . ”
Some pet parent have even describe that their dogs will pose on their chests — or even more ridiculously , their heads .
Dr. Pike says there is probable no specific cause for these behaviors besides “ single preference . ”
“ It may simply be more comfortable for them to sit around on other body parts , or an easier elbow room to access meanness to the human depending on how the human is standing , sitting , or lying down , ” Dr. Pike sound out . “ It may be that the homo has purposefully or inadvertently rewarded the behavior of sit on their foundation , capitulum , or chest by supply the dog with aid when it does so . ”
All breeds and all ages of dogs may display lap - sit behavior . “ Every dog is an soul , so having a specific breed is not a warrant that you are going to get a specific disposition visibility , ” Dr. Pike says .
However , lick - posing could indicate a health problem , especially if you notice a sudden behavioral change .
Should I Worry If My Dog Sits on Me?
In most lawsuit , you do n’t need to be worried about your dog sitting on you . If anything , you should love that your dog wants to be tight to you .
However , there are some instances in which you should be a minuscule concerned . One is if your dog of a sudden begins sitting on your overlap , if they have n’t done so before . It ’s also worrisome if your dog regularly sit on your lap and has dead stopped . fit in to Dr. Pike , behavioral change can point an inherent health upshot .
“ demeanour variety are often the first sign masses will notice in their pets with a medical disorder , ” Dr. Pike say . “ For deterrent example , if you are sitting up on the bed and your dog used to sleep next to you and of a sudden discontinue stick out up with you , it may be due to an underlying painful condition such asarthritis .
“ A dog who was never really tending - quest who suddenly becomes very warm may be seeking their favourite individuals for comfort because they are not experience well , ” Dr. Pike preserve .
“ Also , as dogs age , they can developcognitive disfunction , similar to Alzheimer ’s disease in citizenry , ” Dr. Pike tote up . “ One of the many variety take note in patients with cognitive dysfunction is alterations in social interactions . ”
favorite parent should also look out for imagination - guard behaviors in their frump , which Dr. Pike say could pass to “ safety business for other hoi polloi or animals in the home . ”
“ Resource guarding is actually a very normal behavior , as evolutionarily , if you want to survive , you desire to protect the things that are significant to you that you need for survival , ” Dr. Pike says . “ What can be abnormal with regard to imagination guarding aggression is the intensity of the andiron ’s reaction and if there is a peril to the other home members because of that intensity level . ”
Last but not least , a lap - loving dog may actually be struggling with concern andanxiety , which are problems pet parents should address with a veterinarian or dog behaviorist .
“ anxiousness can precede to hyper fond regard to a particular individual because that person is who helps the dog-iron feel comfortable , secure , and confident , ” says Dr. Pike . “ I would also be implicated aboutseparation - concern behaviorand if the dog is actually capable to be relaxed when that particular somebody is out of the home base . A video of when the dog is left home alone will determine that . ”
My Dog Always Sits on Me: How to Stop It
If you want your dog to blockade sitting on you , Dr. Houpt say you should teach them to sit in another place , such as a well-heeled seam or gym mat .
“ Walk him over there , and as soon as his paws touch the mat , you give him a treat , ” Dr. Houpt says . “ You do that about 10 times , and then you should be able to trace him . You point , say ‘ mat , ’ and when he puts his paws on the matting , you give him a kickshaw . Pretty soon , you should just be able-bodied to point and a dog will go there . And he gravel a treat for going there , and he gets something extra special if he lie in down and is relaxed . And almost every behavioural textbook will give you some version of teach the firedog to go to a lusterlessness . ”
When trying to redirect your dearie ’s behavior , Dr. Pike says it ’s important to “ be consistent . ”
“ bounder do not generalize well and it can be really perplexing and conflicting to have some situation where it is hunky-dory to sit down on an single and other situation that are not OK , ” Dr. Pike enjoin .
“ If you do not desire your dog to be on you , ” she adds , “ you’re able to get down by tossing treat off of you and positively reward calm and relaxed behaviors with treats when the dog is in preferred resting locations that are not your circle . ”
