There’s no doubt that dogs are excitable. They love to play and interact with their owners on every level, and when your dog thinks you’re playing and having a good time, chances are, he’ll want to get in on the fun.
When we bring dogs into our homes, they become part of our pack. We teach them how they should act, establish a pecking order, and so often, they mimic us. If your pup always jumps on you when you’re dancing, he’s likely trying to duplicate your behavior.
Of course, all dogs are different when it comes to personality and preferences. For example, while most dogs think a dance around the kitchen is a great time, others might become agitated or nervous.
When your dog jumps on you, you need to know him well enough to decipher the reasons for this behavior. Please take into consideration his body language. Does he seem annoyed or excited?
There are many reasons that a dog might jump on its owner while they dance. The better you know your dog, the easier it will be to pinpoint these reasons, and if you desire, eliminate the behavior.
Why does my dog jump on me when I dance?
If you’ve spent a decent amount of time around the canine species, then it’s likely you’ve encountered a dog that jumps up. Unfortunately, it’s a nasty habit, and many dogs that jump end up unintentionally scratching or knocking over their owners and guests.
Unless you’ve trained your dog to jump up on you only when invited, even dogs that jump up in an attempt to join in the dance party can be frustrating. Dogs love being with their people, and jumping is a way of showing that desire.
There are many reasons, varying by the dog, that will cause a canine to jump up on you. Experts tend to agree that there are varying degrees of instances that will cause a dog to jump up on you, but in general, the actual act of jumping is quite common.
Dogs learn to jump early on
At a very young age, puppies learn to jump on their mothers. This behavior is instinctual and developed from wolves and wild dogs licking their mother’s face when she returns to the litter with food.
This licking was an ask to drop the food because they cannot simply take it from her as their pack leader, even if they are big enough to do so. When they jump up and lick her face, they politely ask for a snack, if you will.
Jumping is deeply rooted in the nature of puppies and dogs. It’s important to note that puppies will also jump up on their mothers for comfort and to feel closer. So, while a jumping dog may be a nuisance to humans, we must understand that jumping for attention is part of their pack mentality.
Your dog is trying to greet you
If you’re dancing your way through the door or even just around the kitchen, your pup might jump up to say hi. Dogs often greet each other face-to-face, and since you’re so much taller, he has no choice but to jump up and ask you how you’re doing.
When your dog jumps up to see your face, he is actually trying to greet you as his pack leader. The instances are rare that a dog will jump up in an attempt to show intimidation or aggression. Typically, they want to get a closer look (and possibly lick) at your face.
Lack of confidence
A dog that is feeling stressed or doesn’t have much confidence will jump up, primarily at strangers. However, if your behavior makes an already insecure dog uncomfortable, they may try to stop you.
For example, if you’re jumping and dancing around the living room, they might not be able to tolerate the noise and quick action. When your dog jumps up, they are asking you to cut it out.
In this situation, you should try to help them find the confidence they need to make them feel comfortable in almost any circumstances. A professional trainer may be required.
Boredom
If your dog is bored, he will absolutely resort to jumping on you to add a little excitement to his life, especially if you’re dancing. Dancing, after all, is fun. He would like to join in!
If you like to dance around the house but you don’t love the constant jumping, you can make an effort to exercise your dog mentally and physically before your dining room dance parties. You’ll see that after a long romp with a tennis ball, your pup is less likely to jump.
Why does my dog not like it when I dance?
Chances are, your dog doesn’t like it when you dance because your behavior looks erratic and fast to him, and not all dogs like quick motions or loud noises. The fact that you’re dancing might be stressing him out enough to jump up, asking you to stop what you’re doing because it’s making him nervous.
If this is the case, and you have to dance, try giving your dog a safe space away from where you would like to get down. Remove him from the situation, help him feel safe, and see if his behavior changes.
Why does my dog hump me when I dance?
Humping is often a way for dogs to show dominance or excitement. If your pup is humping you while you dance, then it’s likely he’s overstimulated.
You can talk to your vet about this behavior, but removing your pup from the dance zone is probably necessary. Jumping is undoubtedly a behavior that is more widely tolerated than humping, but dogs have their reasons for exhibiting both. As their owners, we should know and understand those reasons.
Why does my dog get excited when I dance?
Think about what happens when we dance! We’re moving, we’ve got the music turned up high, we laugh, and we exude positive, happy emotions. Your dog wants to get in on some of that, and in addition, he’s picking up on all your good vibes.
If you have a pup that gets super excited when you dance, it’s likely because he’s picking up on your feelings. Please don’t get mad at him for mimicking your vibrations. Sometimes, dogs become rough when they get too excited, so if he’s hurting you when he jumps, put him in a different room or work with a trainer to stop the behavior.
Why does my dog bark at me when I dance?
Just like jumping, barking has more than one root cause. However, if your pup only barks when you’re boogying around the kitchen, it’s either because he’s super excited or he hates your dance moves.
Dogs will bark when they’re happy, and they’ll bark when they want you to disengage from behavior that makes them nervous. Check out your dog’s body language.
If his ears are up, his eyes are bright, and his tail is wagging, then he probably loves your dancing. However, dilated pupils, pinned ears, and a tucked tail would suggest that he’d rather be elsewhere.
Do dogs know when you’re dancing?
If you dance around the house a lot, your dog knows when you’re dancing. He might even be able to sense when you’re about to start or learn the English word for it! Of course, he won’t know precisely why you’re showing this human behavior, but he’ll either love it, hate it, or act utterly indifferent to it.
It all depends on the dog and his own little doggie preferences!