Why your dog puts its face on your face
Each of the different reasons why your dog has been doing it will likely come with some clues. Below are a number of possible causes and what would make them more likely to be the main reason.
The reason why it does it could be that it is looking for attention. This would be more likely if you tend to give it extra attention or things such as belly rubs when it does it.
If you want to get it to stop it would help to give it attention throughout the day but to avoid rewarding it with attention when it tries to put its face on yours. It would also help to try to recognize when it is likely to try to do it and to redirect its focus onto something else.
It could just be the case that it is being affectionate. This would be more likely if it wants to sleep when it does it and if it does not try to get you to do anything or to give it anything.
Many people jump to the conclusion that their dogs do it because they are trying to be dominant. However, the alpha/beta dynamic has been disproven in studies showing that wolves take turns in taking the lead.
With that being said, it could be doing it due to bullying behavior which would be more likely if it tries to get you to move and if it shows signs of aggression when doing it. In this case, it would help to avoid giving it reasons to feel threatened and to get it to learn to behave the way you want it to with training programs such as NLIF (“Nothing in Life is Free) dog training.
The cause could be that it is trying to get something from you. This would be more likely if it tends to do it more when you are eating or at around the same time that you would normally give it something such as food.
It might also be the case that you have inadvertently encouraged the behavior by rewarding it. This would be more likely if you tend to give it things such as toys, treats or extra attention when it puts its face on yours. Instead, it would help to reward it when it behaves the way you want and to try to redirect its focus when it is about to put its face on yours.
The cause could be that it is bored and wants exercise. This would be more likely if it tends to do it more before getting exercise and it stops doing it after getting exercise. If it is healthy, it would help to ensure that your dog is able to get the daily amount of recommended exercise for its age and breed.
It could be that your dog is trying to spread its scent onto you so that other dogs can smell it. This is its way of saying that you belong to it so that other dogs will steer clear of you.
To prevent this you’ll need to spend time training it to sit and lay down in certain places. Then you can discourage it from sitting on your chest by telling it to sit or lay somewhere else.
The cause could be that it has some anxiety and it puts its face on you because it makes it feel safer. This would be more likely if it tends to do it more in situations where it might feel anxious.
If it normally does it at around the same time that you leave home, it would make it more likely that it does it because it has some separation anxiety. This would be more likely if it shows signs of being anxious when you are leaving.
Below are a number of things to consider when figuring out the main reason why your dog does it.
If your dog did not always put its face on yours, it would help to consider what else happened when it first started doing it since it might be the case that there was an event that caused it to start.
Some things that might have happened could include:
It would also help to consider if there is a certain time that it tends to do it more and what is different when it tends to do it. For example, if it normally does it at around the same time that it normally gets exercise, it would be more likely to be because it is trying to get you to give it exercise.
Why Does My Dog Push His Face Into My Face?
Sometimes Wanda may come put her face on yours for attention or connection. There is a “want” here – perhaps just some petting, or perhaps a treat, for example. Or, your dog may be showing empathy if you are giving off vibes of sickness or sadness.
You can understand the face-to-face behavior when you observe puppies and their interactions with mom. They are close to her, snuggling. This, in part, is for survival but it most certainly comforts the pup.
You may sometimes find having your dog’s face in yours uncomfortable. What can you do? Sometimes Cosmo may be trying to show dominance, and if so it’s a behavior you need to curb. Behavioral training will help, but the key is knowing your dog and his attitudes. You must remain the alpha and create a consistent means of changing his actions.
It is possible to accidentally encourage the behavior by your responses, like giving Wanda a treat or toy. Instead, you are better off trying to redirect your dog with something like an activity.
Reason 2: It’s A Love Gesture
Whether it’s a puppy or a mature dog, craving closeness with their favorite human is completely natural.
If your dog is laying on your face, especially if they’re in their napping position and they don’t seem to be in need of anything then chances are they’re doing it out of love.
Sure some dogs might choose to simply lay their head across your thighs or they’ll fall asleep beside you, but there are those who simply need to declare their warm feelings towards you by being all up in your face!
Why Does My Dog Rub His Face On Me
If you have one of those adorable puppers that lays their snout on your arm, knee, or feet, you’ve probably asked yourself, “Why does my dog rest their head on me?” Is it out of a selfish desire for ear scratches? Would they like you to feed them their favourite dog food? Is this their way of telling you they don’t actually like that expensive doggie bed you bought them?
Luckily, the more probable answer is much more wholesome. They just love you! Your doggo likely isn’t going around resting their head on the feet of their Pet Sitter, and they definitely wouldn’t do it to a stranger.
So, in this article, we’re going to translate this doggie behaviour into English so that you can finally have answers to the question, “Why does my dog rest their head on me?” By the end, you’ll probably cherish this quirky little habit.