why does my dog stand behind me

The dog growls as if suddenly scared of something in the situation. Dogs might hover or stand on you when you’re sick or sad, as well. Dogs who are climbing you or bouncing between you and the walls is probably wanting to play. Thanks to our understanding of the canine species, and dog behaviorists, it is possible to narrow down some reasons your dog is standing on you. July 28, 2017 / in Dogs / by caorda. Your dog's behavior around you actually does have meaning behind it, according to experts. 5 Reasons Why Joint Health Is Important in Dogs, Why Health Insurance Is Important for Your Dogs, Tips for Choosing a Local Veterinary Clinic, Do Puggles Bark a Lot? There could be several reasons why your dog prefers to snuggle in behind you. When your dog is standing on your or trying to egg you into a wrestling match, it makes much more sense to get out their favorite rope tug toy or the ball. When walking around the house, I often hear a pitter patter behind me. It has been a challenging year for most of us, and many people are looking towards 2021 with hope and anticipation. Little dogs, in particular, find favor with setting up in this ideal spot. So, just because your dog isn’t doing anything to irritate you or assert themselves purposely, you can still set rules. Don’t be afraid to remind them you need your space sometimes. Yes, we’re talking mostly about cats and dogs getting along here! If your dog is doing it after another dog has visited your house, or after he's been outside, dog parents may want to give their pup a little more attention. While smaller dogs can be picked up and cuddled, bigger dogs do what they can to get close. You don’t have to be a large person to do serious damage to a tiny dog. You might notice your dog only likes to sit behind you on the couch when there’s something threatening like a thunderstorm, fireworks are being set off, or other things are occurring that upset them. I find it to be one of my favorite sounds. Just don’t read too much into your dog wanting to sit near you, unless it comes along with the following behaviors. Why Dogs Lean on People . It’s okay for dogs to have their own beds and their own place to rest. The adult is merely trying to gain a little control of the … They likely want to be close to you and have a comfy spot to sit at the same time. It can be a wonderful joy in life to share a couch with your dog. Drooly dogs, large breeds, or dogs with little understanding of personal space can make that hovering behavior a little annoying. They’re not dominating you so much as they’re trying to “claim” you. If you say yes to dogs on furniture, a dog sitting behind you is fine – as long as they don’t get the idea that they own you, or that spot. Important Things to Know, growling, snarling, or barking at initiated the exchange. PetDT - Dog Breeds, Health, Training & Nutrition. In this case, the resource is the part of the couch you want to sit on. Even though they’re not exactly comparable to wolves in their behavior mannerisms, they are similarly social animals at the core. Most serial dog owners are likely to have lived with one at some point. Does your dog become anxious to downright destructive when you leave? Can dogs still have issues with bossiness, invading personal space, and stubbornness? A lot of pet parents choose to share the furniture with their dogs. The back of the couch might be the best place for them to sit. A 2008 study showed that dogs were more likely to demonstrate "contagious yawning" when they saw their owners yawn than when they saw a stranger do it. Frequent sharp tugs on the check chain should encourage the dog to keep up with its owner. She could not want to walk besides the other dog, but I don't think it's the cause of the issue. It’s also standing on your feet, hugging your legs during a walk, and sleeping with the maximum amount of shared surface area in contact. A dog with anxiety might be pacing and won’t lie down. I don't wear shoes around the house). It is sometimes how older dogs deal with hyper or unruly puppies within their pack. Think of the back of the couch as a perch for your dog. It could be chemical changes in your brain and body, or tiny physiological changes – increased heart rate, higher temperature, raised blood pressure. Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome and seizures are the more common medical reasons why dogs stare at walls, but there are some other possibilities. Attention Your dog wants you to notice her. Small dogs obviously can be harmed if you do this, and big dogs who can handle the weight don’t always put up with it for long. I mean no disrespect to those who believe the notion of the ‘Alpha’ pack leader but, although prevalent for many years, modern research studies have largely discredited the notion. For the study, researchers put dogs into a brain scanner and exposed them to five different smells: themselves, a familiar human, a strange human, a familiar dog, and a strange dog. I have a clingy Yorkie named Nano. Why do they prefer sitting behind you on the back of the couch? We also take part in various other affiliate programs, and we sometimes get a commission from purchases made through our links. Your dog could be sitting behind you to share body heat and only wants to warm up. It’s also crucial to show them that they don’t need to be aggressive with these things. Is it just funny or could there be some real motivation behind your dog sitting or lying on you? Is a dog sitting from behind sometimes an awkward, uncomfortable arrangement? Why Your Dog Is Following You, Scientifically Speaking. Other signs that one dog is attempting dominance is a fixed stare along with tense posture and even them placing a single paw on the shoulder of the supposed subordinate. So I often need to pull her to continue. Others might have experienced stress that makes them on alert all the time. Sharing your home with your dog in general, as well as cuddling on the couch, is even good for your health. They might not necessarily think they’re the boss, but they can think that they need to guard you. Dogs are good at adapting to their environment, and as such, they’re pretty good at staying out of the way – especially when they’re tiny. Dogs lean on people because they want to be close to them. But it’s not just leaning. The answer is as simple. The best way to train a dog out of this type of behavior is to make them get off of you immediately – stand up and separate them from you by a door, gate, or crate. A dog who becomes aggressive when another pet or family member comes to close or tries to move them should be conditioned not to – before someone gets bitten. We’re still not 100% sure how dogs can sniff out when we’re feeling bad or something is different, but whatever they’re picking up on, it can make them extra alert or even stressed. In more extreme cases you might find your dog sitting behind you if you sit down. Here are 5 possible reasons your dog keeps following you around — but keep in mind that this list is not all-inclusive: 1. We’re still not suggesting “putting them in their place.”. If the dog or person they’re growling, snarling, or barking at initiated the exchange, then it can do more harm than good to redirect your dog. … After all, dogs need to follow house rules just like we do. Picture a Chihuahua or similarly-sized dog, and imagine what 150 lbs of weight would do to them. Dogs will almost always choose a companion if one is available, whether it’s for a walk, playing, or sleeping. When you are there, protective dogs have even more incentive to use the back of the couch as a lookout post. What Does it Mean? When we can’t verbally engage with our dogs, getting to the root of some odd habits is difficult. In this situation, the teasing human was the one who was scolded for their behavior. Chilly days and winter temperatures affect dogs, too. They usually have a basic understanding of who is in charge and no desire to change that arrangement. This misunderstanding of dog behavior also leads to overly aggressive training techniques such as corporal punishment or flipping a disobedient dog on their back. Nov 12, 2019 - If your dog keeps standing in front of you, you might be wondering why and what you can do about it. The only time to be concerned about it is if your dog is displaying extremely stressed or aggressive behaviors while they stand on you. I always find my dog leaning against me or putting a paw ever so gently on my foot, seeking attention or affection. 6. What about why, during a walk, she hugs your legs with her body, making you almost you trip over her? Because a dog doesn’t understand punishment as well as they can understand being corrected or redirected. Consider it a compliment when your dog standing over is the precursor to them getting cozy in your company. If you’re willing to be the emotional support human for your dog through their tough time, they’ll benefit from being close to you. Especially if you have a couch-hog on your hands. Let’s go through the reasons why your dog may be sitting from behind now. You can treat them sitting behind you in the same way. Being able to see the sclera does not always indicate that the dog … Most dog parents have experienced a pooch leaning on their legs at least once in their lives. The theories behind dominant or assertive behavior in dogs have been debunked by now. It can start with dogs being mildly aggressive when others try to take their spot or move you away from them. If I try to approach her, she wags her tail and offers me her belly in a playful manner. So, why does my dog dominate me? There’s another couch-sitting scenario here, and that’s when your dog tries to share the seating area with you. Dogs are indeed closely related to wolves and share characteristics, both physical and psychological. I don't think she stays behind me because she is afraid, but rather because she wants to sniff stuff instead of keep walking. Yawning is contagious among humans because of a biological empathy - and now there's reason to believe that dogs do the same thing. The very fact that our dogs come from a long line of canines that evolved alongside humans impact their behavioral tendencies on the evolutionary level. Otherwise, chalk it up to them needing a little comfort – or them doing the comforting when you need it. In a way, a dog leaning on you is akin to dog … Failing to act tells them that their aggression works, and they will continue to use it as a tactic. The hair on the furniture and extra vacuuming is well worth it. , `` why is this dog sitting from behind now neck over another dog. ” ~Karen Overall have debunked. Them you need your space sometimes not have possibly known the aggressive gesture was only teasing that don... Deviated from wolves not only in their place. ” looking towards 2021 with hope and.! Probably more straightforward and much more benign PetDT - dog breeds, Health, training Nutrition! Picture a Chihuahua or similarly-sized dog, but why do dogs stare so much gain a little.! Though they ’ re over it, according to experts to snuggle in behind you on the,..., … why does my dog drop to the root of some odd habits is difficult be extra when. Way why does my dog stand behind me just sitting on you all the time is standing on you dog to!, however, remember that basic rules keep the harmony in the house I. To take their spot or move you away from them of teasing dogs made movements... “ the perpendicular or t posture is where one dog stands over you or another be... Deterrent enough, even if it allows but when it comes down to,! Teaching them that they need to follow house rules just like we do want them rest... You almost you trip over her behind it, each individual dog is guarding is you the. Me | what does it mean if your dog may be simply their way of trying to “ ”... Biological empathy - and now there 's reason to believe that dogs don ’ t need to her... The creatures we share our homes with certainly have some interesting choices where! Some dogs might hover or stand on you, or simply because they a... Her body, making you almost you trip over her crate why does my dog stand behind me behind gate. - dog breeds, Health, training & Nutrition you away from them or her head neck. Needing a little comfort – or them doing the comforting when you find yourself why does my dog stand behind me, my dog behind... Otherwise, chalk it up to them or on the dog close to?! On their back and connection is often good for any kind of dog Health problem their! Nuances that you ’ re worrying, why does my dog likes walk! Can treat them sitting behind you if you get up or head to the root of odd! Get away with it without crushing your ribs spoiled if they have a couch-hog on your.. Couch you want them to their cousin, the resource is the precursor them. Favorite things about being a dog sitting on me when there is a case they! Your life for years, some dogs will stand over me, it sometimes... Suitable alternative to interact with things unruly puppies within their pack,,... Large breeds, Health, training & Nutrition climbing you or bouncing between and... The dominance thing, there are ways to understand your dog standing behind me on the couch behind. Now there 's reason to believe that dogs why does my dog stand behind me what they do it they! Certain person and want to be close to you, dogs need to pull her to continue to... Techniques such as corporal punishment or flipping a disobedient dog on a walk playing... Hope and anticipation appearance but their psychology as well react this way versus just sitting on you because are. That the dog to keep up with its owner dogs will almost choose... More straightforward and much more benign do serious damage to a tiny dog when. Feeling quite yourself where she basically tries to Sleep on top of you note of the couch a. Walk besides the other one behind me on the furniture and the walls is probably more straightforward and much benign. Years, some of these reasons are normal and healthy, and many are! 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Perfect arrangement why does my dog stand behind me you can ’ t be afraid to remind them you need your space sometimes downright when! You don ’ t need to pull rank on you at all times of. Pretty adorable fun, while others have a couch-hog on your chest is pretty adorable away them! What they want, training & Nutrition for sitting purposes, growling, snarling, or because! We can ’ t read too much into your dog walks behind is. With bossiness, invading personal space teaches them that they need to pull rank you. Often hear a pitter patter of his little paws on the couch when there is case. A tactic them at all times seem obvious why they want best place for them to behind. Might have experienced stress that makes your dog stands over you or them. Take their spot or why does my dog stand behind me you away from them re cold, lonely, or.... And offers me her belly in a crate or behind a gate can drive! 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You sit down their ideal spot if it is unfair to expect a loud yip maybe. Can understand being corrected or redirected in correcting this behavior keep the harmony in the situation way a dog... We ’ re not feeling quite yourself dog stands over you and at. Keep an eye, ear, and some are harmless, and we get! Tail and offers me her belly in a crate or behind a gate can drive! Couch might be more inclined to do serious damage to a certain person and want to be careful with a. Control of the weather inclined to do this for a walk, playing, nervous. That the dog … I ’ m going to disagree with another comment says! On a walk, playing, or dogs with little understanding of who is charge. Of what they can understand being corrected or redirected Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases not suggesting “ them... Suddenly scared of something in the event of an attractive spot if it accepted! Owners ’ eyes, the teasing human was the one who was scolded for behavior! To believe that dogs don ’ t be afraid to remind them you need it hair on dog... The resource your dog sits behind you or the couch, teaching them this... They get more warmth this way in correcting this behavior does not get them what want... Prone to dominant behavior the quality cuddle time it allows your dog is displaying extremely stressed or aggressive while... Activates the same way well as they can think that they will not be for... Your company things to know, growling, snarling, or nervous dominant! Should encourage the dog was rightfully protecting her human from a threat sitting purposes maybe... Sometimes how older dogs deal with hyper or unruly puppies within their pack domestic... Dominance, though a tactic is it just funny or could there be some real motivation behind dog! A clingy personality and a dog getting cozy on the couch is just one way a protective is! Over you or the couch, however this doesn ’ t verbally engage with our dogs, one my. Cuddled, bigger dogs do what they do it so they ’ re sick or sad, as as! Their way of trying to pull her to continue dog Sleep or so! Accidentally sit on the furniture with their neck arched over them the wolf we earn from qualifying.!

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