Why Does My Dog Sit on My Feet?

As happens with plenty of canine behaviours hard for a human to understand, such as the marking habit, your dog settling on your feet can have a huge range of meanings.

This curious, common habit is seen in plenty of dogs, whether small or large. But is it a show of love? Do they simply do it for comfort? Or perhaps it's about dominance towards their owner?

It matters a great deal that we know the reasons behind this behaviour and identify which one actually applies to our furry friend. If you've ever wondered why does my dog sit on my feet, this is your chance to find out.

What Does It Mean That My Dog Sits on My Feet?

It's common to notice our dogs resting against our feet when we lie down on the sofa, and if we're not there, they'll often sit on a slipper instead. Even while sitting, there are plenty of occasions where they sit on our feet. Even so, we almost never understand why they do this.

The truth is there's no single cause we can point to for this behaviour. Dogs' body language is varied and complex. The same act can have a huge range of meanings depending on the context and the individual's character.

So, there are several theories explaining this quirk. We'll need to look at other aspects of the dog's behaviour to know what kind of habit this is and whether it needs correcting. Here are some of the most common reasons.

To Show Support

Dogs can sense our emotions. Even though they don't speak our language, they understand our non-verbal communication, such as looks, gestures and expressions. That's why they try to give us love and comfort when they notice we're sad or feeling unwell.

If your dog sits by your feet during hard times for you, it's surely because they're trying to give you their support and show their love for you so you feel better. It's always been said dogs are loyal to their owners, through good and bad.

Separation Anxiety

Even so, your dog sitting on you doesn't always have to be a good thing. Often, after being left alone, the dog feels sad and abandoned, experiencing separation anxiety.

Coming home, and after missing their human a great deal, the dog finds comfort in our feet. They need to be in constant contact with their owner, and will follow them everywhere, constantly seeking their attention.

Possessive Behaviour

Although the dominance angle is a false myth, what can indeed happen is that the dog shows possessive behaviour towards their owner. This resource-protection problem can be seen when the dog reacts negatively when someone approaches you.

By sitting on you, your dog "marks" their territory, leaving their characteristic scent. This way, they tell other dogs you belong to them. This jealous attitude is especially common in homes where several pets live together, or when a new family member arrives.

To Feel Safe

In insecure, fearful dogs, puppies, or newly adopted dogs, simply being next to their human, whether on their feet or in their arms, will give them confidence. They often feel so safe and comfortable that they fall asleep on their owner's feet.

What's more, a less troubling reason would be the dog seeking the comfort they felt sleeping alongside their littermates. Puppies sleep all together, some on top and others below, so they feel warm, accompanied and safe.

Because They Simply Enjoy It

The last of our causes is also the most logical and simple. The dog simply enjoys curling up and being close to their owner. In this case, letting your dog do this will strengthen your relationship, since the dog is only seeking to give and receive warmth, love and comfort.

False Beliefs: A Show of Dominance

As with almost everything related to canine language, there are some false myths that have spread and been taken as true. We're talking specifically about the supposed show of dominance your dog exerts over you when they sit or lie on your feet.

This theory is entirely false, since dominance only happens between individuals of the same species. There are no dominance relationships between a dog and their owner. Even so, this very common mistake causes serious errors in training dogs.

Likewise, dominance isn't linked to aggression. Personality traits or, in this case, a behavioural problem such as aggression, aren't linked to dominance, since this last one is a type of interaction between two or more dogs.

Using forceful or aggressive methods with your dog to fix the supposed dominance problem from lying on you is a mistake. You'll damage the dog-human emotional bond, suppress a possibly healthy behaviour, and cause them stress, anxiety and fear.

When to Consult a Specialist?

Whether you notice your dog showing signs of separation anxiety, such as crying, barking and destructive behaviour; possessive behaviour towards you or your belongings; or an insecure personality with hyper-attachment and fears, you should seek a solution.

Discuss the problem with a vet specialising in canine ethology so they can help you find the source, the causes, and a specific treatment to fix the underlying problem, since your dog lying on your feet will only be a reflection of the real problem.