After settling into your comfy chair, you鈥檙e ready for a movie night at home. Before you can say 鈥淧ass the popcorn,鈥� your dog approaches, sits on your feet, and leans on your legs. This gesture has precedent, too; historically, aristocratic ladies used some small breeds as foot warmers. Plenty of line the floor, so why does your pup use you as a canine couch?
Why Dogs Perch on Their People
Dogs sit on their owners鈥� feet and lean on legs for many reasons.聽But dogs often perch on their humans because they are displaying or looking for affection, feeling anxious, seeking security, or guarding their owners. Arthritic dogs also might prefer this raised position because they don鈥檛 have to bend down to sit.
鈥淥ften when dogs sit on our feet, it鈥檚 because they want to be close to us,鈥� says Dr. Mary Burch, Ph.D., a certified applied animal behaviorist and director of the AKC鈥檚 Family Dog Program. 鈥淚t鈥檚 one way a dog shows affection. Think of your dog sitting on your feet as the canine version of a hug or cuddle.鈥� Puppies and adult dogs of any age, size, sex, or breed choose this place to plop because they want to stay close to their new owners.
Dogs sense human emotions, especially when an owner feels sad or ill. A sit and leg lean comes in handy to add comfort and support. If multiple dogs live together, the competition is on to see who can occupy the space closest to the owner.
When using you as a footrest, dogs might just give you a sly, aren鈥檛-I-adorable expression, too. This bonding attempt usually wins them extra attention through communication and extra petting, including ear rubs. This attention makes them more likely to repeat the act in the future.
Love and Warmth
In cold or damp weather, dogs roost on their owners鈥� fuzzy slippers and sweatpants to keep toasty. 鈥淭he dog gets close to your body to stay warmer,鈥� Burch says. 鈥淭here鈥檚 a good chance this move comes from instinctual behavior as puppies.鈥�
If you鈥檝e watched a litter of sleeping puppies, they often huddle together. Not only does this position keep them warm, but it also makes them feel safe. Other dogs want to be as close to their owners as possible and opt to sit on their feet so they can follow them quickly if they move.
Anxiety, Security, and Guarding
New locations or situations may present challenges for anxious or stressed dogs. Remaining close to you gives them added security. If plopping on your toes doesn鈥檛 usually happen at home, but your dog suddenly opts for your feet, try to figure out what might be scaring your pup.
Look at your dog鈥檚 body language for these signs of fear:
- Drooling
- Shaking
- Panting
- Crouching
- Tail tightly tucked under the body or between the legs
- Head hanging down
- Ears pulled back
Separation anxiety can prompt sitting and seeking reassurance. Also, loud, unfamiliar, or surprising noises like fireworks, thunder, construction sounds, or people arguing can frighten canines. When a dog stays close, they knows their owner has their back. 鈥淎t a dog park, you may notice a dog sitting on its owner鈥檚 feet,鈥� Dr. Burch says. 鈥淭his protects the owner or signals to other dogs, 鈥楾his is my聽person.鈥� 鈥�
If a dog feels anxious or threatened at times, such as visiting the veterinarian鈥檚 office, the pup might hug your legs and sink into your feet for comfort and reassurance. 鈥淪arge, my Welsh Springer Spaniel, was a great dog, compliant and well-trained, but walk into the veterinarian鈥檚 office for a checkup and the nerves would start,鈥� Dr. Burch remembers. 鈥淗e would shed, pant, back up, and sit between my legs with his front paws on my feet. Within minutes, the panting would subside. This scene repeated itself at most veterinary visits.鈥�
How do you fix a dog sprawling over someone鈥檚 lower limbs and refusing to move? Mention the word 鈥�treat,鈥� and suddenly, there鈥檚 no problem. In a flash, your dog will be up off your feet.