Why Does My Dog Put His Paw On Me?
Dogs can’t communicate as we do, so they’ll communicate with their owners in different ways. They will sometimes growl, bark or yip to attract your attention.
Other than barking at you, putting his paws on you is the other common sign showing that your dog is trying to communicate with you.
When we show our pets love and affection, they’ll reciprocate it back in different ways. When your dog puts his paws on you, it could be his way of expressing his love and affection for you.
Other than showing love and affection, your dog putting his paws on you can also be attributed to other feelings.
Here are some of the main reasons behind your dog’s pawing behavior.
8 Reasons Your Dog Puts His Paws on You And What Does it Mean?
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It’s Their Communication Base
Your dog may be pawing at you for the sole reason of trying to communicate with you. Your dog pawing at you is no different from your toddler tugging on your leg when they are trying to tell you something.
He might want to play with you, he is anxious, hungry, or maybe in pain. While in most cases it’s positive reinforcement for your dog, it’s important to look out for any signs of discomfort which could be as a result of an injury.
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They Want More Love
Another reason why your dog puts his paws on you is to ask for more love. When you are spending time with your favorite canine friend, they may put their paws on you as a way to persuade you into showing them more love.
You might have noticed that when you are petting your pup and then you suddenly stop, they will throw their paw so you don’t stop. While it’s good to sometimes give in when pups ask for our love and affection, doing so will make them develop this habit every time they want your attention.
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They Are Hungry or Thirsty
When the dog is hungry and thirsty, he might feel the need to remind you that it’s time for their meals especially if you seem to have forgotten. Some dogs have perfected the art of begging for treats by either pawing or scratching.
A pawing dog followed by a hopeful puppy stare is a clear sign that your dog is hungry and is begging you for food. Additionally, a hungry pup will paw at your legs when they feel hungry, along with a possible nudge of their food bowl.
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Anxiety
Your dog putting his paws on you could be an indication that he is trying to tell you that he is anxious or something isn’t right. When you notice that the dog is uninterested in eating his food or playing around, especially if he is also panting and drooling, high chances are that he is anxious.
If your dog is suffering from separation anxiety, he may paw at you when it’s time for you to leave. Additionally, dogs with storm anxiety often begin to paw at their owners and express anxiety even before the storm arrives.
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He Wants to Play
When it’s getting close to playtime, a playful dog who wants to initiate a game will often try different tactics to get you to play with him. He may wag his tail, jump up and down in excitement or even paw at your leg in an attempt to get your attention. If he is uncertain about something during a game of exploration, he may paw at you to show uncertainty.
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Showing Affection
Some dogs will hold their owners’ hand when they are petting them. They will do this with either one or both paws. Your dog could be doing this as a way of returning your affection or he could be trying to direct your hand somewhere he wants you to scratch or massages him.
In an attempt to make the petting go on, he will hold your hand to his head and when you try to stop petting him, he will grab your hand even with his teeth and try to drag it back to petting.
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Emphasizing with You
Dogs are very clever. They are also incredibly empathetic. By living with us, they become in tune with our normal habits and emotions. With the slightest change in attitude, your dog will notice that something is off with you.
When a dog notices that his owner is stressed, upset, or angry, he may put his paw on them as a way of showing that they are there for us in our time of need. While our dogs love us and show their support in many ways, pawing on us could be their way of extending a hug.
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Trying to Apologize
While pawing behavior in dogs can be quite demanding, it can also be your dog’s way of apologizing to you after he has done something wrong. A guilty dog will throw his paws on you while wearing a very guilt face. By pawing at you, they are asking for your forgiveness and showing their submission to you at that moment.
Read: Why Are Dogs Scared of Thunder?
Discouraging the Behavior
Having a dinner time reminder will help you feed your dog on time and not create a food-demanding monster. Some dogs have perfected the art of begging for food and treats using paws. If your dog uses demanding tactics when they are craving their favorite treat, you should consider getting a new routine for snack time.
When your dog tries to put his paws on you, rectify the behavior immediately by encouraging them to sit instead. After getting back home from work, create some time and spend it with your dog so he doesn’t feel lonely.
Conclusion
While we all love our dogs dearly, instilling a relationship that’s respectful on both ends is very important. While the occasional paw during petting sessions can be sweet, it can quickly become an annoying habit. There are several reasons behind dogs pawing behaviors and learning your dog early will help you understand his different ways of communicating with you. If you don’t like him putting his paws on you, the best way to prevent the behavior is to put an end to it.