How can I stop my dog from climbing on me?
There are a few things you can do to discourage your dog from climbing on you. One is to not reward them for the unwanted behavior. If they jump up and make contact with you, cross your arms in front of your chest to block them, and turn away. Avoid spending too much time down on the ground with your dog if it’s not working out for you–they might take that as a sign that they’re winning and continue the behavior.
If your pet climbs on you all the time, they might be lonely. Dogs need companionship, and if yours is constantly seeking attention from you, it might mean they’re not getting enough love elsewhere. Try getting them a companion pet to keep them company when you’re away.
You rewarded the behavior, so they repeat it
Yes, you did. Whether you realize it or not. One possibility is that your dog has learned that this behavior gets a reward, such as attention or food. By attention, I mean pushing them off (they think this is a game) or shouting at them. ANY attention they get is seen as a reward by your dog. If this is the case, make sure to give them plenty of positive reinforcement when they are calm and not climbing on you.
Another reason could be that your dog is seeking something from you specifically, such as comfort or warmth. Dolly loves to climb half onto my lap and put her paw across my leg. I think of it as her claiming ownership, of her owner! She loves to try and climb completely onto my lap, but she’s just a bit too big an heavy for that!
And finally, your dog may just be excited and wants extra attention when it climbs onto your lap or jumps on your back. This might be their way of saying “hello” or showing affection. Be sure to reward your dog with treats or attention when they are behaving in a way that you want to encourage, such as when they are lying calmly at your feet. Or teach them ‘four on the floor’. (Instructions on this article here).
Your dog might just be plain bored and looking for something to do. Make sure that your dog gets enough exercise every day, and provide them with plenty of toys and activities to keep them occupied.
The last time your dog was frightened by fireworks, she became clingy and more confident. This suggests that her instinct to protect her owner might be the cause of this behavior. It’s also possible that this response is due from anxiety or being unfamiliar with someone new–such as a visitor at your home. Small dogs may not always get along with visitors they’re unfamiliar with, even if they are friendly otherwise.
Another possibility is that dogs like being up high because it gives them an advantage in social situations and allows them to see what their human might have brought home from the store or have in their hand. Dogs will often try to engage their human by sharing a toy or barking, but if this doesn’t work, they may resort to climbing on your lap or back to get to the goodies.
Your dog is looking for attention
It may be that it is attempting to attract your attention by doing so. This is more likely to be the case if you prefer to give greater attention to it when your puppy climbs on your shoulder.
14 Signs Your Dog Doesn’t Love You (Even if You Think They Do)
Nothing makes you feel more special than your cuddly little pooch snuggling up next to you, but sometimes, next to you isn’t enough. Even dogs that aren’t supposed to be lap dogs may climb up into your lap for a variety of reasons.
Dog owners with larger dogs will even have them jump up on top of them to show their love or maybe it’s because they want to mark their territory! When you’re wondering why is my dog sitting on top of me as you gasp for breath, well, there are a few reasons to consider. Let’s look at several possible reasons for this very common dog behavior.
There are several dog breeds that are particularly loving and like being very close. Those small dogs like Chihuahuas, Bichon Frises, Shih Tzus, and Maltese aren’t just carried around because they’re small; they’re also very loving, and they become closely bonded (sometimes over bonded) to their owners.
Other larger dogs like mastiffs, Irish setters, and golden retrievers are often very loving dog breeds too. Even Great Danes like to get a little cuddle time every now and again just because they love you.
If your dog jumps up and sits on your chest, that’s one way they show you love, but another way they do this is to sit on your feet. It’s similar to your friend sitting next to you on the couch. Your dog might not jump up on top of you because they prefer the feel of the carpet or the cool texture of the tile, but they’ll sit on your feet instead.
Whether on top of you or on top of your feet, it’s your dog’s way of getting a little physical contact which they find comforting.
Most pet owners appreciate their pooch’s attempts to get close to them whether at their feet or on top of them. They pet their dog and snuggle with them which acts as positive reinforcement for the behavior.
When you give your dog that positive reinforcement, you are effectively rewarding them for the behavior. Your dog has found a comfortable spot to lie down, and you’re telling him that’s a good thing to do which makes him all the more likely to continue doing it.
This is true no matter if your dog sits on your feet or your chest — positive reinforcement is a very effective dog training tool, and they will continue with the behavior as a result.
It’s also true that sometimes your dog just likes to cuddle. They want to bond with you, and it’s something that helps you feel better about life too!
To your dog, you’re part of the pack, and they want to feel close to you. They want to snuggle and get closer to you, the top dog in the pack. Let’s face it, after a long day at the office, nothing feels better than to have someone welcome you home by wanting to be close to you.
In the wild, this type of dog behavior bonds pack members to one another and helps keep the peace. Your dog might not be a wild animal anymore, but those behaviors are still part of their pack mentality.
Another possible reason your dog sits on your lap is to show that they are the dominant one in the pack. They might not feel as though they are dominant over you, but it can be a way to show dominance over other animals in the household.
They come to see your lap as a kind of throne, and the fact that they’re in the catbird’s seat — as the case may be — means they are dominant. You can often tell this is the reason if you find that your dog sitting on your lap every time another animal comes near.
They may even show aggressive behavior toward anyone who comes near you (resource guarding), and if this happens, you’ll want to discourage that type of behavior. You might even need to get a dog trainer to help to get this stopped. Dog training is never a bad idea for any dog as a matter of routine, but it becomes necessary with this type of aggressive behavior.
Another possible reason your dog jumps on your lap is that it’s their way of initiating playtime. This usually happens when you’re on the floor or ground, and your dog sees this as your way of telling them to come to play.
If this is the reason for your dog’s behavior, you’ll likely notice them doing some other behaviors like nuzzling you or licking and whining. You’ll also see some of their playtime body language like having their backside up in the air while the front of their body is down (also known as a “play bow”).
They’re beckoning you to come and play, and why not? Everyone needs a little playtime every now and again.