When my dog was younger, it used to sit in my spot throughout the day and, particularly, right after I would get up from the spot. It took me a while to figure out the main cause and, in my dog’s case, it turned out to be due to having learned that the behavior is rewarded. However, there are many possible reasons why your dog might be doing it and there are a number of things you can do about it that this post will show to you.
So, why does my dog sit in my spot? The most likely reason why your dog sits in your spot is that it is trying to get extra attention from you. However, It could also be the case that your dog is being dominant, but there is evidence to show that it is not so likely.
There are actually a number of reasons why your dog might sit in your spot and it could be a combination of multiple factors. However, there are a number of things you can consider when trying to figure out the exact reason.
Why does my dog sit in my spot?
Each of the different reasons why your dog sits in your spot will likely come with some clues.
Below are a number of possible reasons why it does it and what would make them more likely.
Your dog is being dominant
Many people jump to the conclusion that their dogs sit in their spot because they are trying to be dominant. However, the alpha/beta dynamic has been disproven in studies showing that wolves take turns in taking the lead.
With that being said, it could be doing it due to bullying behavior which would be more likely if it shows signs of aggression when doing it. In this case, it would help to avoid giving it reasons to feel threatened and to get it to learn to behave the way you want it to with training programs such as Nothing in Life is Free dog training.
Your dog simply likes the spot
It could be the case that your dog just likes that spot. This would be more likely if it always sits in that particular spot and it does not try to sit in your spot when you sit somewhere else.
Your dog has learned that sitting in your spot is rewarded
It could also be the case that your dog has learned to sit there because it gets things that it wants when it does it. If you tend to give it things such as extra attention, toys or treats when it sits there then it will do it more in order to get more rewards.
Instead, it would help to train it to sit somewhere else, to redirect it to go somewhere else when it is about to sit there and to avoid rewarding it when it does do it.
Your dog sits in your spot for attention
It could also be the case that your dog sits in your spot for attention. This would be more likely if it does it when you have not been giving it much attention, it does it when you are sat there and if you tend to give it more attention when it does it.
Instead, it would help to give it attention throughout the day by walking it, training it and playing with it. But, it would help to avoid rewarding it with attention when it sits in your spot so that you don’t reinforce the behavior and to train it to sit somewhere else.
Your dog smells your scent on your spot
The reason why it does it could be that it smells your scent in your spot. This would be more likely if it sits there while you are away. This could be a sign of separation anxiety especially if it also shows signs of being anxious when you are leaving.
To put your dog’s scent onto you
It is not uncommon for dogs to try to give their scent to their owners. The reason why your dog sits in your spot could be that it is trying to get its scent onto you. This would be more likely if your dog does it more when it seems like you’re going to sit there.
Things to consider about your dog sitting in your spot
Below are some things you can consider when trying to figure out why your dog sits in your spot.
When your dog first started sitting in your spot
If your dog did not always do it then it would help to consider what else happened when it started doing it since it could be the case that there was an event that caused it to start.
If it did start doing it suddenly then it would be more likely to be due to things such as learning that it gets rewards when it does it, it’s old spot becoming unavailable to it or if you suddenly started working longer hours and it sits there when you’re away. It would help to consider what else happened when it started doing it.
Whereas, if it has always done it then it could be doing it for any of the reasons mentioned above.
When your dog sits in your spot
It would also help to consider if there is a certain time that your dog tends to sit in your spot more. If there is then it would be more likely that the timing has something to do with it.
For example, if it tends to sit there when you are away then it would be more likely that it does it because it smells your scent there.
What can I do about my dog sitting in my spot?
Below are some options you have when getting your dog to stop sitting in your spot.
Redirect your dog’s focus
One option would be to recognize when it is likely to try to sit in your spot and to redirect it somewhere else. To do this you could train it to lay down somewhere else and to tell it to go there when it is about to sit in your spot.
Positive reinforcement training
Positive reinforcement training is where you get your dog to behave the way you want it to by rewarding it when it shows signs of behaving that way and avoiding rewarding it when it does not.
To use it to get it to stop sitting in your spot you could reward it when it does not sit in your spot and train it to sit somewhere else as shown in this post.
Avoid negative reinforcement training
Negative reinforcement training is where you encourage bad behaviors by giving your dog things it wants when it displays them. Instead, it would help to reward it when it behaves the way you want it to and to avoid rewarding it when it does not. So, why your dog sits in your spot, it would help to get it out of your spot and then to avoid giving it any rewards until it calms down. When your dog does not sit in your spot, when you leave, it would help to reward it.
Why does my dog sit in my spot when I get up?
If your dog sits in your spot, specifically, when you get up, the cause would be more likely to be that it has learned that the behavior is rewarded which would be more likely if you do things such as give it extra attention when you get back. In this case, it would help to use positive reinforcement training to teach it to sit in a certain spot and to tell your dog to go there when it sits in your spot.
Why does my dog always sit in my spot?
If your dog always sits in your spot, even when you are not around, it would be more likely that your dog either likes the scent in your spot or that it is being possessive and it things the spot belongs to it. It would be more likely that your dog is being possessive if it becomes aggressive when you try to sit there. Another possible cause is that it likes that particular spot which would be more likely if it does not become aggressive and it does not show any signs of being anxious when you are leaving.
Why has my dog suddenly started sitting in my spot?
If your dog has started sitting in your spot suddenly, it would be more likely that your dog has learned that the behavior is rewarded. It might also be the case that it is doing it because the spot it usually sits in is no longer available to it. Another possible cause is that it has learned that it gets extra attention for sitting in your spot.
Why won’t my dog let me sit in my spot?
If your dog won’t let you sit in your spot, it would be more likely that your dog is resource guarding. In this case, it would be important to give it lots of training so that it learns not to sit in your spot as shown in the video below.