Why Does My Dog Stand On Me?

My dog loves contact with me, but that “closeness” sometimes makes me reflect on the motivation behind it. For instance, why does my dog stand on me? Is it a dominance thing? Or perhaps it’s the best way for her to express affection?

If you have a dog that stands on you, find out the motivation behind this behaviour and learn whether or not it’s a problem.

Why Does My Dog Stand On Me?

I love my dog. She’s loving and lovable, and has the funniest traits. However I sometimes wonder if these traits are all positive. For example, occasionally she seems to take advantage of any opportunity to stand on me?

Our dogs display a number of different behaviours that we sometimes pass off as cute but meaningless. However, some behaviours do mean something and so they’re good to understand.

The following then are some of the reasons why our dogs like to use them as something to stand upon!

They Like Being Close to You

Firstly, and most obviously, your dog might stand on you because it likes being close to you.

In the wild, dogs are pack animals. One of the ways pack animals reinforce relationships with one another is through contact. Since domestic dogs have wild ancestry, it may be that our dogs stand on us as a way to reinforce their relationship with us.

Your Dog Stands On You Because It Wants Affection

I guess one of the most likely reasons why a dog will want to stand on you is they want to be close to you to feel affection.

Most dog breeds enjoy spending quality time with their owners and would happily be physically connected to them all day if they could!

I believe that sometimes my Whippet stands on me because she’s preparing herself to lie on my lap for a few hours!

Asserting Dominance

This is perhaps the default view that I had as the reason why my dog stands on me: dogs may stand on us sometimes to assert their dominance.

When a dog stands on you, it may feel as though it’s physically higher than you… and therefore the monarch of all it surveys!

We see this in many animal species where the big boss takes a higher position than the other members of the pack.

Of course this display of dominance might not mean your dog is lording it over you. If you have other pets your dog might stand on you to declare its dominance over them.

Your Dog Stands On You to Spread Its Scent

I don’t find the idea of my dog standing on me as a way to spread its scent appealing in any way!

However, it’s entirely possible that a dog might jump, roll and stand on you as a way to put its scent on you to mark you as its property!

Trying to Tell You Something

Our dogs usually try to tell us when there’s something on their mind. Usually they’ll whine, bark or howl to draw your attention to an empty food bowl, someone approaching your front door or time for wallows!

If your dog doesn’t feel the message isn’t getting through to you they might try other methods to make you take notice.

What better way is there than standing on you if your position on the sofa allows it?

I imagine if you hadn’t taken notice before, your dog jumping into your lap and standing on you unexpectedly might turn things around!

Habit

Some dogs never grow up! When we have dogs as puppies they get used to the idea that they can walk around on people at will. After all, how many of us don’t pick our puppies up and have them on our laps?

Of course, if a dog never learns that there’s a time and a place, it might not understand that standing on you might no longer be suitable… or even comfortable when it reaches adulthood.

If your adult Chihuahua stands on you unexpectedly it probably won’t cause you much surprise. However, a full grown Greyhound jumping up to stand on you when you’re snoozing in the lounge might be less well received!

My Dog Stands On Me If I’m In The Way!

Finally, your dog might stand on you if you’re in its way!

It might be you’re lying somewhere and it wants to pass you but can’t so it stands on you and to pass through. Or perhaps you’re sitting in your dog’s favourite spot and it protests by standing on you!

I have seen this on plenty of occasions and know this to be something that happens to me. My dog stands on me often if I’m sitting in her favourite chair! She’ll jump up onto my lap and stand there until I get the message!

Summary – Why Does My Dog Stand On Me?

My dog stands on me for several reasons… most usually though because I’m in her way!

Sometimes the reason why a dog stands on you though may be related to dominance. If there are ever any signs of aggression that come with this behaviour and you’re at all concerned or frightened about it speak to a veterinary professional for advice.

Does your dog stand on you? Do you have a strong feeling as to why? Please tell me about it or ask a question in the comment section at the bottom of this page.

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