Why Does My Dog Place His Paw on Me?

When your dog wants to put his paw on you, it’s the cutest thing. It’s almost like they want to touch you all the time. But have you ever wondered why they do that? Have you ever wondered “why does my puppy put his paw on me”? We’re going to give you a full rundown on this weird dog behavior.

In this article, we’re going to answer questions like: why does my puppy put his paw on me, what does it mean when my dog puts his paw on me, is it okay for my dog to put his paw on me, how to stop your puppy from putting his paw on you if you want them to not touch you.

Why does my puppy put his paw on me?

Mainly for attention. Your dog will mainly put his paw on you to get close to you, show some affection, and show that they want your attention. Remember, dogs don’t communicate with words, so body language is how they often express themselves.

Shows affection

Dogs generally feel good when they touch us, so your dog putting his paw on you is just their way of showing you love! It’s kind of like how a hug works for people. It’s cute.

Wants Attention

If your dog frequently places their paw on you while you work, it may just mean they want some attention. It must be hard for them to see that the laptop is getting more of your attention than them; they would rather you pet them, touch them, or play a quick game of fetch.

Asking to Go Outside

After some potty training, you’ll be pleasantly surprised to find that your dog is pretty good at communicating when it needs to go outside to pee. Placing their paw on you could be your sign to let them out!

They’re Hungry!

Well, here’s the thing. Some dogs, like Labradors and Pugs, always look hungry. Placing their paw on you could be the perfect way to remind you that it’s dinnertime for them!

All in all, if you have a dog that likes to place their paw on you, it just means they’re communicating. It’s not necessarily a bad thing. It’s certainly not their way of “asserting dominance” (because dogs aren’t wolves!), and they’re unlikely to be protective of you. This is often what the internet suggests, but it’s also not true! If your dog is seeking attention by placing his paw on you, then some reward-based training will help reduce this behavior.