What are the theories on why some dogs put their rumps on us?
SW: Dogs offering the rear to other dogs is seen as a normal dog-dog greeting. The first theory is dogs guess that we greet in the same ways they do. Some dogs probably spend a lot of time trying to teach us how to have what they consider good social skills.
Other theories include that the dog just wants us to scratch where it is difficult for them to reach and that it feels good to be scratched on the rear, near the tail. Some dogs may be more comfortable offering their rear because we don’t normally try to control them from that end – offering your head often has people grabbing your collar and holding you, pulling you, getting maybe too close and causing a little fear.
Why does my dog reverse into me?
Whilst it might seem like odd behavior, once you know the reasons for dogs rubbing their back into you, it all makes a lot of sense – despite such a stance making them vulnerable.
But the thing is, human and animal communication can get mixed up sometimes. When a human being shows their back to you, it’s often a sign of rejection. But when our dogs back into us to show their back, it’s easy to assume the same.
But, in fact it has an entirely different meaning and it’s a good one. Most of the times anyway!
To solve your wonderings for once and all, read on and find out why your dog or someone else’s dog is showing you their back and reversing into you.
Here are some of the reasons your dog could be rubbing his back to you. See if any of them are typical of your dog.
He doesn’t approach you when you call him.
Guess what? Sometimes dogs want alone time, just like you do. “Dogs do not have to come when called,” says Dr. Ciribassi. “Inviting a dog to approach and then waiting for the response is best.” You can do a similar test when deciding whether a dog wants to be petted — place him in area in which he can easily get away, and then try petting him. If he looks away, licks his lips, tries to move, or doesnt lean back into you once you stop petting him, hes uncomfortable. “Its also best to leave your dog alone when they are in their safe area — like a crate or on a dog bed. Its just like how you would not want to be disturbed when reading a good book relaxed in a recliner.”
14 Signs Your Dog Doesn’t Love You (Even if You Think They Do)
The hip nudge is a common canine behavior. Dog owners often think their dogs are pushy or impolite when they turn their backs to them, sometimes even pushing them. Nothing could be farther from the truth.
A hip nudge is a behavior a dog shows when it nudges another with its hip or rear end. Dogs often use this behavior towards us during greeting ceremonies when we show them passive friendliness by crouching down to it. The dog will walk towards us and turn round. Then, it will either nudge us gently with its hip or rear end or stand passively with its back turned to us.
This dog shows a half hip nudge, still a sign of friendliness. Both human and dog are relaxed and show their peaceful intentions and that they trust one another (photo by Lisa Jernigan Bain).
The hip nudge functions as a pacifying behavior. It signals friendliness. By turning its back to us, the dog shows it doesn’t intend to attack—it directs its teeth away from us. It also shows it trusts us.
Dogs use a variety of this same behavior during mating rituals when the male nudges the female.
I described this behavior first time in 1987 in the original edition of “Dog Language,” after having spent several years observing, photographing and filming dogs (Canis lupus familiaris), wolves (Canis lupus lupus) and foxes (Vulpes vulpes).
There are only small differences between wolf and dog, which we can describe as dialects. The fox is different because, although displaying many behaviors common to the other two, it is not as social as its cousins.
Featured : The hip nudge functions as a pacifying behavior. It signals friendliness (illustration by Alice Rasmussen from “Dog Language” by Roger Abrantes).
Canine Behavior Canine Behavior studies dog behavior in the natural and in the human environment, reviewing the behavior of the domestic dog and the related wild species. An important course for dog training, which is full of myths unsupported by scientific research.
Learn more in our course Ethology. Ethology studies the behavior of animals in their natural environment. It is fundamental knowledge for the dedicated student of animal behavior as well as for any competent animal trainer. Roger Abrantes wrote the textbook included in the online course as a beautiful flip page book. Learn ethology from a leading ethologist.