5 Reasons Your Dog Likes to Sit On Your Feet
Dogs are pack creatures. Even if your spoiled pup has never spent a moment out in the wild, they still have those behaviors ingrained in them.
Many times, the act of sitting on your feet is simply remnants of their ancestral DNA.
In the wild, dogs travel in packs. They do this to keep themselves protected and to work together to survive.
When they’re sleeping or resting, they huddle together. The leader of the pack gets the most comfortable spot while the other dogs lay close to stay warm.
In your home, you are the pack leader.
Young dogs also learn a bit about pack mentality at a very young age. Newborn canines learn to sleep near the tail of their mothers. This is to avoid being crushed should the mother roll over in her sleep.
If you have a young puppy, they may still exhibit this behavior because it’s all they know.
As the pack leader for your household, you wear many hats in the eyes of your dog. One of the biggest roles you’ll play is the protector.
If your pup is feeling a bit insecure about something, they’ll go to you for protection.
This happens a lot with more submissive dogs. However, even the largest and most intimidating breed will go to their owner if they feel unsafe.
Dogs can start to get anxious because of new people, loud sounds, and anything else they’re not used to. They’ll sit or lay at your feet to get some comfort.
Sometimes, all it takes is your touch to make your dog feel safe.
If your dog falls asleep on your feet, pay attention to how their sleeping. If they’re sleeping on their side, with your feet tucked warmly underneath, they feel completely protected.
This position exposes their belly, which is a big risk in the wild. By laying on their side, they’re showing you that they trust you to keep them safe.
Related: Why Dogs often Put Their Paws on You
On the other side of things, your dog may sit on your feet to keep you protected from a perceived threat. They want to prevent you from experiencing any harm, so they’ll put themselves between you and the threat.
Most of the time, there’s no real danger present. However, that won’t stop your dog from providing you with the protection they think you need.
Has your dog ever sat at your feet or otherwise close to you in a dog park? This is likely their way of marking their territory.
Essentially, the behavior is telling other dogs that you’re their leader and that everyone else should back off.
While you may view your furry friend as your own, your dog feels the same way about you.
Your dog may be sitting, laying, or sleeping at your feet is simply because they love you. They want to feel your touch, hear you breathing, and smell you.
If you have been gone all day, your dog may be showing this behavior because they’ve missed you and don’t want you to ever leave again.
Some dogs also show signs of affection to comfort you. Dogs are smart creatures that are able to pick up on your emotions pretty easily. If you’re crying, sick, or showing signs of stress, your dog will be right there to calm you down.
This behavior is perfectly normal. In fact, if your dog is sitting at your feet simply to show you that they love you, it means that you’re doing a great job as an owner.
Your dog is thankful for the things you do for them, loves to be around you, and doesn’t want you to leave their side.
Why Dogs Love Your Feet
There are many reasons that your dog may love laying at your feet. It can range from being affectionate to just plain natural instincts. There’s usually a reason for it and it can often be attributed to comfort and just wanting to be with members of their pack. Let’s take a deeper look at what may be causing your dog to follow you around all over the house and keep your feet company.
While it can be difficult to think of our pups as “pack animals”, they still have those instinctual traits ingrained. Even in our 10-pound Chihuahuas who have never spent a day in the wild, they are still domesticated from wild ancestors. This means they will still show some of the behaviors of a wild, pack animal.
In the wild, dogs often travel in packs. When they stop to rest, the leader of the pack will find a place to lay of their choice, while the rest of the pack will huddle around for safety and warmth. Think of your home as your very own wild simulation. In your home, you are the pack leader.
The act of sitting and laying at your feet can be a behavior instilled in their DNA. Since you are the alpha, they must lay at your feet once you’ve found your comfortable spot. This act basically tells you that they respect you as their leader of the pack, and want to lay at your feet as a sign of that. This can be their very own sign of respect and devotion.
Dogs Sleeping At Your Feet To Protect You
Some dogs take on a very protective personality streak towards one or more of their owners.
By sleeping at your feet they are ready to spring into action if it becomes necessary to protect your from an intruder, or a strange noise in the night.
Dogs often like to keep a watch out for danger. Dogs have excellent night vision, up to five times better than humans in low light conditions.
This is a common reason why your dog might be sleeping on your feet, or at the end of the bed. You need to consider all of the possible reasons to filter which one applies to your dog.
Not all dogs will take this approach. Some breeds are more likely than others to develop this protective streak. (For example, did you know that Labradoodles are more protective than Goldendoodles? More in our breed comparison of Labradoodles Vs Goldendoodles)]
The size of your dog does not mean your dog will be more or less protective. Some small or miniature dogs are fiercely defensive. Some very large dogs (think Bernedoodle) are giants and tend to have a relaxed docile nature.
Why does my dog sleep at my feet? 6 Reasons Why Dogs Sleep at your Feet Explained
Why do dogs sit, sleep, and lay on your feet? Learn the meaning behind these and other ways dogs communicate.
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