Reasons Why Your Dog Might Be Sitting On You
How can you determine your pup’s motivation to hop into your lap? Does he seem to be hyper-focused on your surroundings as if he’s in watchdog mode? Is he simply content and trying to find the most relaxing position? Does he seem stiff?
If he’s scouring the area with his eyes, he could be protecting you or wanting you to protect him. If his focus is on getting perfectly moulded into your lap, his motivation is probably that he loves you and that laying on you is comfortable. Perhaps he’s trying to get attention. Stiffness could indicate he’s establishing dominance, feeling jealous or protecting you.
Let’s have a look at the different reasons why your dog likes to sit on you.
Sitting On You Is Comfortable
This can depend on the size of your dog. Little pups can easily get comfortable on a human. Medium-sized canines need to work at it a little. Gigantic lap dogs don’t even care about getting their bodies in the perfect position. If a big pooch thinks he belongs in your lap and needs you to focus on him, he’s just sitting on you because he enjoys it.
Looking For Security
Nothing feels more secure than curling up in her human’s lap. Her human parent can protect her quite well when she’s front and centre.
Dominance
This is the most undesirable reason why your dog might be in your lap. He’s testing his limits to see if you let him sit on you. It’s not a big problem with a small dog, but a medium to large or giant breed sitting on you may be uncomfortable. Either way, you don’t want your fur child jockeying to be the alpha.
This reason is a bit controversial because some canine behaviourists reject the idea that a pup would hop into someone’s lap to establish dominance.
Wants Attention
Sitting on someone to get their attention may not be subtle but can be quite effective. Fido may choose to leave after some petting, a belly rub and/or a bum scratch.
She Loves You
Studies show that dog and human brains release oxytocin when they engage in a loving stare, meaning that many canine guardians and their pooches are in love. With all the adoration and oxytocin flowing, of course, a pupper wants to sit right in her human’s lap to be very physically close, bond and maximize their time together.
You’ve Trained Him To Get In Your Lap
This could be something he began during puppyhood or a behaviour that you rewarded with positive reinforcement in the past when Rover hopped into your lap and you gave him love and attention.
She’s Jealous
If you are distracted by a visitor, an activity (like reading, watching telly, working on a puzzle or something else) or a new pet, your pup is going to want to remind you she’s your number one priority. Don’t be surprised if she takes a running leap and lands in your lap.
He Senses That You’re Sad or Not Feeling Well
Dogs are very intuitive and won’t hesitate to jump right on you if they feel their therapeutic comforting skills are needed. I missed a step walking down from my attic once and hurt my ankle. When I fell on the floor, my 36-kilogram Akita-Lab mix sensed that sitting on my back would heal me instantly. It was very cute and funny but not really helpful.
He’s Marking You With His Scent
Your dog must be rather dedicated to marking you with his scent if he feels that he needs to actually be on top of you to do so rather than just rubbing his scent against your leg. This could be a jealousy behaviour if you notice that he only sits on you when there’s another animal present or when you have guests.
Bred To Be A Lap Dog
Some Toy Dog breeds like Maltese, Chihuahua, Shih Tzu and Bichon Frise were bred to spend the majority of their time in their guardian’s lap.
Separation Anxiety
If your pooch’s goal is to be with you continuously, he will be thrilled to see you settle down on the couch and will summarily jump right into your lap, hoping that you can be together there indefinitely.
You’re in Her Spot
This isn’t the most flattering reason, but if you’re occupying her spot on the sofa, she’s going to want to pile right on top of you because it’s the best place in the house.
To Keep You Where You Are
You are the provider of food, toys, snacks, play and love. Spot wants to be with you at all times. Furthermore, he wants to be ON you. He can achieve many things by settling down in your lap: comfort, adoration, bonding, warmth and making you stay in that perfect spot for as long as possible. You might actually feel guilty standing up to go to the loo or to grab a snack.
You’re Her Favorite
What a wonderful ego boost! You’re the favourite. Maybe because you feed her or just because she knows you’re the one who is most concerned with her well-being. It pays to be the doting pet guardian.
Should You Allow Your Dog To Be In Your Lap Constantly?
If you don’t mind having your pup in your lap when you’re relaxing in place, it’s not a problem. It can be uncomfortable at times, and you need to stand up occasionally, but otherwise, it’s a pleasant bonding time for both of you.
What If Your Dog Is Just Too Big For Your Lap?
If your puppy is now gigantic or you don’t want a huge fluff ball on your furniture, you can find other ways of bonding and train him not to dive into your lap. Great Danes and Mastiffs are examples of enormous and affectionate pups who want to be as close as possible to their beloved humans. If you don’t mind your sizable pet on your couch, you could teach him to place only his face on your lap or to lay next to you.
If you don’t want your pooch on the sofa, you can teach him to stay on the floor. Say “no” firmly and point to the floor if he’s about to get on the couch. Reward him with praise, pets and treats. Make sure he has toys and a comfortable bed down there. He can lean against your leg or foot to feel close to you. Pet him with your foot so he knows you’re glad he’s near you.
Your Pup Should Understand That Sitting In Your Lap Is A Privilege
Some canine behaviourists encourage pet guardians to train their dogs to sit in their laps only when they give permission by standing up if your pooch attempts to sit on you uninvited. You can train him to get in your lap when you pat it and say “lap” or “come.” They even think you should give them the command “off” after a short period of time, so your pup is responsive to sitting on you when you say so and getting off your lap when you need them to. This is an option if you want your dog to be obedient and respond to commands.
Conclusion
Dogs have many reasons for enjoying our laps. Most of them are positive, and you don’t need to extinguish the behaviour unless your pooch is too big or you have a fancy sofa. The majority of your pooch’s motivations to be in your lap are related to wanting attention, love and to be near you. It shouldn’t be too difficult to train your dog not to jump into your lap if you prefer he doesn’t. Another option is to have your pup sit next to you.
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