Far from being a way of blocking someone out as in the case of the dog I went to yesterday, turning his back, especially backing into us, is more likely to be a sign of friendliness and showing peaceful intentions. Some people still believe it's the dog trying to show he's Alpha!
The Root of the Behavior
When your dog turns his back to you, he is showing you that he's friendly and trusts you. In the animal world, turning your back to someone puts you in a vulnerable position. Your dog is trusting that you won't attack him from behind.
Sitting near you but with eyes turned away is a calculated choice. Dogs want to sense your location but also keep an eye on potential threats. “By lying close to the owner and facing away, dogs express a sense of loyalty and protection,” Joslin adds.
Asking for Attention or Affection
Dogs are social animals and crave attention and affection from their owners. So a dog may put his butt against you, it's often their way of asking for love and attention. They want you to pet them, scratch their back, or spend quality time with them.
Play and a Strategy to Get Your Attention
This behavior is a sign of affection and trust. It is also a way for dogs to show they are relaxed and comfortable around their owners. Your dog can also push their face against you to catch your attention if you've not been focusing on them.
If your dog follows you into the bathroom, it's likely a result of their animal instinct and pack mentality. Canines who do this are referred to as “Velcro dogs,” due to their desire to be attached to your side. They may follow you around, even to the bathroom, to protect a part of their pack.
Seat-Stealing as a Sign of Affection
Today, dogs—now fully domestic animals—see their human companions as their safety. Your scent is familiar, so your dog knows instinctively that any place you've been must be familiar and safe, too.
A recent study explored how the presence of a pet in bed impacted womens' sleep quality and found that it made them feel more secure and comfortable. Think about it — your dog's instinct is to protect. They will let you know immediately if anything is amiss while you are asleep.
Many people think that this is an act of submission akin to people who wave the white flag of surrender. Research, however, states that is actually not the case. Many times, the act of rolling on the back is so that the dog can block playful biting and then, in turn, do their own playful biting with their play partner.
They want to know what you're doing or what you're going to do next. They're confused about what you're up to or what you want from them. They want something from you, such as food, affection, to go for a walk or to go to the toilet. They love you!
It means they like your company and consider you a member of the pack. Sleeping by your side also proves their loyalty, trust, and willingness to protect you. However, if your dog isn't one to hop on the bed and snuggle with you throughout the night, don't worry.
Why do dogs like to sleep with you? If your pup likes to sleep with you, it means they feel secure and comfortable with you. When your dog was a puppy, they cuddled up with their littermates for warmth and comfort, so now they want to do the same with their people.
Once you bring a dog into your home, you become part of their pack. They enjoy sleeping with you because it makes them feel safe and comfortable. Sleeping together gives dogs an emotional connection to their owners.
Sometimes, dogs may go between their owner's legs seeking comfort or safety. Some research has found that medium and large dogs are more likely to demonstrate this behavior than small dogs. A lack of confidence, anxiety, or excitement can cause dogs to seek the closeness or protection of their owner's legs.
If your dog follows you everywhere then it's a sign that they trust and love you and that you make them feel safe. Following you very closely can be a sign that they're bored, they want something, they're feeling scared or are just being nosy.
Dogs sleep between their owner's legs for various reasons; the warmth and security provided by their owner, along with the trust, attachment, and dominance assertation, make this a favorite spot for many dogs. Understanding this behavior can deepen the bond between you and your pet and make you both happier.
Loose shoulders, soft eyes without a fixed gaze, and a dose of 'wiggliness' or pure 'flopped-outness' are all clues that your dog's feeling super chill. They're playful. A happy dog is more likely to want to play and leap around. Play “bows” are a great sign your dog is in the mood.
Yes, dogs can have a favorite person, and it may or may not be you. It could be your spouse, one of your children, your mom when she visits, or the girl who walks your dog while you're at work.
They Want to Comfort You
Dogs are highly perceptive creatures, and many can sense when their owners are feeling sad, lonely, or disappointed. If you're feeling any of these emotions, they may try to cheer you up by pawing at your hands or feet to give you extra love.
Yes, your dog knows how much you love him! Dogs and humans have a very special relationship, where dogs have hijacked the human oxytocin bonding pathway normally reserved for our babies. When you stare at your dog, both your oxytocin levels go up, the same as when you pet them and play with them.
We know that they depend on human cuddles for their happiness and wellbeing. So, when they put their snouts on your foot or your hand, it's not simply because they've been wired to protect the Alpha. It's also because they love you and they want your affection.
Typically, it indicates that they care about you and are protecting you. Sometimes, when dogs are feeling cold, they will snuggle by someone's feet, feeling the warmth. Regardless of the reason, it is up to you if you would like to allow them to sleep by your feet.
So rest assured that the look in their eyes is one of concern and care, not judgment. Dogs also stare when you sleep because the owner's eye contact is comforting to them, and it makes them feel safe. So never think twice about why your dog stares at you while sleeping. They're just showing how much they love you!