13 Reasons Why Do Dogs Like To Sit On You

You’re all snug and settled on the sofa, reading a book, watching the TV or typing away at your laptop, and suddenly, your adorable doggy jumps onto your lap and treats you like a favorite recliner. And now, you ponder the question, “Why do dogs sit on you?”. Read to find 13 possible reasons why dogs sit on you.

Why Is My Dog Sitting On Me? Are Lap Dogs Common?

All dogs have distinct personalities; some are more affectionate and eager to snuggle while others may prefer to love you from a distance and hang out alone. Then there are the lap dogs who are always ready to hop onto your legs and blissfully enjoy your company.

Seeing your furry friend jump into your lap to snuggle or lay on your chest while you are lazing around is one of the best things about being a dog parent. You’ve given your doggo a cozy bed, perches, and all the resting spots in all the rooms. But why dogs sit on you and choose to lounge on top of you out of all things & places in your house to slumber in?

It’s great to let them stay and make them feel loved & comfortable – after all, they chose to bestow this honor to you instead of everything else in the home. But do you wonder why do dogs sit on you? In this article, we’ve rounded up a few of the surprising reasons why your four-legged pal chooses to sit on you rather than snoozing up on their comfy beds and snuggling with their toys.

Why Do Dogs Sit On You: 13 Possible Reasons You Are Their Favorite Resting Spot

Letting your dog sit on your legs is a great bonding time for you both. However, looking at their body language is highly important to get an insight into what’s motivating them to always sit on you. If your dog seems relaxed and content while snuggling up with you, he’s just there for spending some quality time with you and you don’t need to worry.

However, if your dog rarely sat on you ever before and has suddenly started doing it constantly, it could indicate that he’s not feeling secure or healthy lately. If this behavior is paired with constant movements, being unusually sedate or sleeping more than usual, it’s crucial to schedule an appointment with your veterinary care provider to have them checked out.

Hence, if you are wondering “why does my dog sit on me?”, here are many possible reasons for the same:

1. They Seek Attention

If you have had a long and busy day at work and your dog takes no time to jump on to you when you’re back, it’s possibly because they feel lonely when you’re not around and seek your attention.

2. They Need Cuddles, Connection & Love

When your doggo is right on top of you, it’s hard to ignore them and you instantly brush your fingers through their coat, pet and love them. This is why they keep coming back to your lap – for connection and love.

3. They Like The Way You Smell Or Sound

If your dog loves you, the sounds you make naturally, such as breathing and your heartbeat, will be incredibly calming to him.  And, because dogs are scent-driven creatures, they will also be attracted to your unique scent. Therefore, allowing them to sit on you helps them relax into an easy slumber.

4. They Want Your Warmth

Dogs love lazing and snoozing in warm spots and you are one of the coziest places for them because of the heat your body emits! This could be a huge reason why your four-legged pal likes sitting on you. They possibly want to soak up all your body heat and feel comfortable.

5. They Find Your Clothes Nice

If your dog sleeps on your lap only when you’re wearing certain clothes, maybe they love its unique texture.

6. They Trust You

If you are wondering why my dog lays on my chest or lap, it is the ultimate sign of their trust in you. Dogs only sit in the laps of people they really feel safe with, especially when they are napping. While he’s asleep, your dog is basically telling you that he trusts you to defend him from any predators. By acknowledging his freedom and leaving your lap accessible to him, you’re encouraging your dog to trust you even more.

7. They’re Marking Their Territory

Dogs don’t only mark their territory by peeing on things and places but also by sitting on you, especially if they rub their head against you. This way, they leave behind pheromones so that when other dogs come along, they can smell those pheromones and identify that they are in another dog’s territory. This is a unique way of them declaring you are only theirs and marking their turf just in case another dog tries to claim you.

8. You Are Their Favorite Sleep Spot

For people who are wondering why my dog lays on my chest, chances are high they find your slow and steady breathing appealing. And as your chest creates a broad flat area for them, they can also soak up a lot of your body heat and sleep peacefully.

9. They Are Hungry

If your dog sits on your lap, stares at you and starts vocalizing, it’s possible that they are hungry or craving their favorite treat.

10. They Are Missing Their Exercise or Playtime

If you have been too busy off lately and haven’t dedicated enough time to your canine friend for their physical playtime, they might be trying to remind you it has been a long time since you played with them.

11. It Might Be a General Breed Behavior

Some dog breeds such as Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever, Old English Sheepdog, Great Dane, Pug, Chihuahua, Greyhound, Bichon Frise, etc. tend to be more affectionate and clingier than others. They feel compelled to be near you all the time.

12. To Offer You Comfort

Dogs feel comfortable in your presence but they also want to make you feel the same way to express their love and gratitude towards you. Hence, if they notice you are upset or not feeling well, they’ll want to be close to you and help you feel better. Isn’t it too thoughtful and adorable of them?

13. They Have Become Habitual

By always allowing your doggo to sit on your lap no matter how tired or busy you were, you unintentionally invited and trained them to do so all the time.

Things To Consider If Your Dog Sits On Your Lap

Although it’s no harm and generally great for dog owners to let their dogs sit on their lap or sleep on them, if they have recently started doing it and are doing it a lot, here are a few essential things to consider:

• If your dog sits on you at the same time of the day or usually when you come back home or do a specific activity like working on your laptop, reading a book or watching television, they are just trying to be a part of the family and everything is okay.
• Has something difficult happened to them after which they started sitting on your lap? Maybe they are anxious or scared. So, you need to immediately check what’s their point of concern.
• If your dog is staying over your lap for longer and longer time periods making it uncomfortable for you, gradually train them to give you the privacy you deserve. Teach them to stay on the floor when you’re sitting down.
• If they are too habitual of snoozing on you only, things will get difficult when you head out for long days at work, some personal engagements or a weekend getaway. So, give your dog distractions and limit the time they spend sitting on you to avoid separation anxiety later on.

How to Stop Your Dog from Constantly Sitting on Your Lap

Any kind of pet behavior should be encouraged only in the right limit otherwise it can become problematic for both the pet and the owner. Hence, if your dog spends too much time sitting on your lap, here are a few effective tips that should come in handy for you.

1. Ignore Them

Although you’ll feel hurt and embarrassed to do so, ignore your doggy to avoid giving them inadequate attention and reinforcing the behavior.

2. Stop Making Eye Contact

To make ignoring your furry friend easier and avoid them from rushing to sit on your lap as soon as you come to your couch or bed for some “me-time”, don’t make eye contact with them.

3. Get Them Off

If your dog still tries sitting on your lap despite ignoring them and making eye contact, get them off you by standing up. This way you will let them know that you don’t like what they are doing.

4. Give Them Distractions

Sometimes, ignoring your dog is not enough to stop your dog from sitting on your lap. So, you can try giving them some distractions like toys, bones and puzzles and make them busy with something else.

5. Encourage Positive Reinforcement

When your dog sits on you for too long or frequently, try training them to stay on the floor by pointing to them and saying “down.” Let them stay on the floor for longer and longer amounts of time to practice positive reinforcement.

6. Don’t Separate Them From You Completely

Training your dog to exude the best behaviors and giving you some time alone doesn’t mean you stop cuddling and snuggling with them completely. Otherwise, the situation may get worse as your dog will get more stressed and anxious.

7. Be Persistent

Enforcing all the steps highlighted above won’t work magically at once. Be persistent in getting your dog off you through different ways and they will eventually figure it out.

Frequently Asked Questions About Why Does My Dog Sit On Me

Still have some questions about “why is my dog sitting on me?” on your mind? Browse through our answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about why do dogs sit on you.

Why does my dog put his butt on me?

By putting their bum on you, your dog is giving you the hip nudge, a kind of greeting or a way to show you how much they love and adore you. Furthermore, a hip nudge is also a sign of submissiveness and friendliness in dogs. But sometimes, it could also mean that they merely want a nice scratch.

Why does my dog sit on me when I lay down?

One of the main reasons why do dogs sit on you when you lay down is because they find your chest a perfect sleep spot. Furthermore, they might enjoy your natural breathing and heartbeat sounds or love your warmth. They might also love your natural smell.

Why do dogs want to sleep with you?

Whether you prefer sharing your bed with your dog or not, the simple reason they want to join you is that they love you and want to be near you. Sleeping with you also provides them with a sense of security, extra warmth and comfort.

The Bottom Line

Sometimes, your dog will sit on you to feel safe, warm up, seek your attention or simply communicate with you. While other times, they’d simply be doing it as a way of expressing their love and trust in you. Sometimes, the answer to why do dogs sit on you is maybe they are trying to give you a message; so, notice their activities and try to put their signals together.

And if you feel they want nothing but your warmth or closeness, please take it as a compliment and feel proud about being an awesome dog parent. They’ll often leave once they’re satisfied to do something far more interesting. But always remember to establish the right balance or else your dog would never want to leave you.