Why does my dog put its paw on me when I pet it?

If your dog has been putting its paw on you, while you pet it, you might be wondering why and what you can do about it. This post will show you a number of possible reasons why your dog has been doing it.

So, why does my dog put its paw on me when I pet it? Possible reasons why your dog puts its paw on you, while you pet it, are that it actually wants you to stop, it wants you to rub its belly, previous training, it is mimicking your own behavior or that it wants you to pet it more.

Since there are a number of possible reasons why your dog has been putting its paw on you, when you pet it, it would help to consider what would make each of them more likely. Once you have a good idea of the main cause, it should become easier to figure out what you should do about it.

Why your dog puts its paw on you when you pet it

Below are a number of possible reasons why your dog might have been doing it and what you can do to get your dog to stop doing it.

It wants you to stop

It could be the case that it does it because it wants you to stop petting it. This would be more likely if it shows other signs of wanting you to stop such as pulling away from you, not wagging its tail or drawing its lips back.

It wants you to rub its belly

It could also be the case that it does it because it wants you to rub its belly. This would be more likely if it tries to roll onto its back when it puts its paw on you and if it is showing positive body language such as wagging its tail.

Previous training

The reason might be that it was previously trained to do it which would be more likely if you adopted it from a shelter or from someone when it was no longer a puppy.

It is mimicking you

The reason why it does it could also be that it is trying to mirror your own body language. Since you are being affectionate towards it by petting it your dog might be trying to show that it appreciates it by also petting you.

It wants you to pet it more

The reason why it does it could also be to show you that it wants you to carry on petting it. This would be more likely if it puts its paw on you when you stop. It would also be more likely if it shows positive signs when you are petting it such as wagging its tail, leaning into you and nudging its head onto your lap.

Things to consider

Below are some things to consider when figuring out the main reason why your dog has been doing it.

If your dog always put its paw on you

If your dog did not always put its paw on you, when you used to pet it, it would help to consider what else happened when it first started doing it.

If it has started doing it suddenly then it could be because it learned that it gets belly rubs when it does it or that you reward it when it does it. But, it would help to consider what else happened when it first started doing it.

If it has always done it then it would be more likely to be due to one of the reasons mentioned above.

What is different when it does not do it

It would also help to consider if it does it more at a certain time. If it does then the timing could have something to do with it.

For example, if it only does it when you are petting it hard, it could be because it wants you to stop doing it.

What body language it shows

It would also help to consider the other body language signs your dog is showing when it does it.

If it is showing other signs of being happy such as leaning into you, wagging its tail and having a relaxed posture then it would be more likely to be doing it for a positive reason.

Whereas, if it shows signs of discomfort like pulling away, being stiff and not wagging its tail then it would be more likely that it wants you to stop.