- Why Dogs Sit and Lay On Us
- October 16, 2021
Why Does My Dog Lay On Me: 10 Possible Reasons
Table of Contents
Some dogs seem to think that every time we sit or lie down, it’s a silent invitation for them to join — right on top of us.
Small dogs might fit on top of us more easily, but a giant dog who was cuddled a lot as a puppy doesn’t know that their adult weight totally crushes you.
It’s no secret that our dogs love spending time with us, but sometimes this clingy behavior leaves us wondering, “Why does my dog always lay on top of me?”
10 Reasons Why Your Dog Lays On You
Most often, this behavior is cute and welcomed, but other times, it can be annoying or even be part of a deeper behavioral issue.
If your dog takes every opportunity to sit on you or lay on you when you lay down, chances are they just really, really like you — but keep an eye out for certain signs that it has become a problem. Sometimes this behavior will need to be trained away or get attention from a professional.
The truth is, there are quite a few different reasons why dogs want to lay on top of people.
1. They Love You
The most common reason why dogs sit and lay on people is that they enjoy our company!
Dogs are social pack animals, and you are your dog’s pack. Your dog might just be trying to share some loving and relaxing moments with you.
If you watch TV on the couch or get in bed at a certain time every day, your dog might see this as the perfect opportunity to add daily snuggles to their routine and be near you.
The most common reason why dogs sit and lay on people is that they enjoy our company!
Dogs are social pack animals, and you are your dog’s pack. Your dog might just be trying to share some loving and relaxing moments with you.
If you watch TV on the couch or get in bed at a certain time every day, your dog might see this as the perfect opportunity to add daily snuggles to their routine and be near you.
2. You Are Warm
Your dog might lay on you when you lay down in bed in order to stay warm.
This is the same reason why your dog might be laying on you in the morning: they got cold at night and wanted to snuggle up with your body heat.
A cold winter evening on the couch might also invite your dog to find some comfortable warmth on your lap.
It is time to give your dog their own blanket or a sweater if this happens often. Some breeds such as Great Danes and Chihuahuas tend to run cold and need extra help staying warm.
There’s also a chance that your dog lays on you in bed in an attempt to keep you warm at night.
3. You Protect Them
As dog owners, there are many things we provide for our dogs’ health and safety: food, water, directions, even time to go potty. Our dogs count on us in many different areas of life, so it only makes sense that when they feel vulnerable, they should look for us.
A dog that trusts you to protect them when they are sleeping is very likely to try to sleep on top of you whenever possible.
Know that when your dog looks for you before nap time and lays on you when they sleep, it means they want to be with you and they trust you to keep them safe.
Some dogs might choose only one person in the household to lie on every time. Dogs notice who feeds them the most, plays with them the most, walks them or teaches them things the most.
For example, if your dog lays on you and not your spouse, they have either noticed that you care for them more often, or they feel the most comfortable and protected with you.
4. You Comfort Them
Dogs go through emotions during the day just like we do. They get happy and sad, and sometimes your dog might feel like they need their best friend: that’s you.
Dogs go through emotions during the day just like we do. They get happy and sad, and sometimes your dog might feel like they need their best friend: that’s you.
You are your dog’s pack, and being near you should be one of the most comfortable things in your dog’s life.
When it comes to large dogs: it’s much easier to hold and cuddle dogs while they are puppies.
If you’re the happy owner of a large or giant dog who could lay on you as a puppy, things might be different now. Your full-grown dog doesn’t understand that they’re way too heavy to be a lap-dog now. Gently guide your dog to a position next to you instead of on top of you for more comfortable snuggling.
5. They Are Protecting You
If you wake up to your dog sitting on you while you sleep, just know: Your dog might lay on you in bed because they want to keep you safe at night.
When you are getting into bed and your dog comes right over to sit on you or lay with you, they may see it as their duty to protect you when you’re in your most vulnerable state — while you are sleeping.
Dog logic: If your dog lays on top of you while you sleep, you won’t be in any danger during the night!
Dogs may choose to lay on or near someone who they think needs extra protection, such as a small child or a pregnant person.
6. They Are Comforting You
Dogs rely mostly on non-verbal communication. This means that they are always watching us, listening to us, and smelling us to figure out what we are doing and thinking.
If your dog lays on you when you’re sick, it’s because they know you are sick. Dogs can smell changes in our bodies and become concerned about us when something seems wrong or different.
Your dog might lay on you when you are sick because they want to make sure you are OK or comfort you.
Similarly, your dog might lay on you when you are sad. If you usually smile at the sight of your dog, they notice this, and they might be trying to help you feel better.
When your dog sits on you or lays on you while you are sad, just know that they are showing you they are there for you.
7. They Want Something / Attention
When your dog stis on you or lays on you and stares at you, it’s likely that they are trying to send you a certain message.
That message could range from, “I love you” to “I need to go outside” to “My favorite toy got stuck under the dresser.”
Try to figure out the message behind the stare if this happens to you. Check the time to see if you are late for your dog’s meal or walking schedule.
Your also dog might think you have spent too much time focusing on something else instead of them, and they are craving your affection. They might choose to sit on you to be the center of your focus.
8. They Want You To Stay Put
Maybe your dog thinks you’ve spent a little too much time moving around or being outside the house.
They might sit on you or lay on top of you to keep you in one spot for “easy access” to affection or just to keep you near them.
9. Separation Anxiety
Separation Anxiety is a serious condition that can be hard to spot at first. It can look like a dog who really loves your company and always follows you around.
However, if your dog always lays or sits on you and absolutely cannot handle being alone, it may be time to get some help from a professional dog trainer or a vet.
10. Dominating You
A dog who thinks they own the house and sets all the rules may lay on you for a very different reason: to be above you, literally.
If your dog is, for example, a Chihuahua, this may not seem like an issue.
A dog who thinks they own the house and sets all the rules may lay on you for a very different reason: to be above you, literally.
If your dog is, for example, a Chihuahua, this may not seem like an issue.
However, this dominating attitude can point toward a bigger behavioral problem and can lead to dangerous outbursts if ignored.
If your dog shows other aggressive or dominating behavior or doesn’t listen to you, contact a professional dog trainer.
That said, this should not be confused with a stubborn dog or a lonesome dog who shows affection selectively. Some dogs may be less open or otherwise less likely to show you that they love you, but they still enjoy your presence.
These dogs may seem standoffish at times, but still want to lay on you for one of the above reasons such as for companionship, for warmth, or to protect you.
Why Does My Dog Lay On My Feet?
A dog that is quick to sit at your feet may be a dog who is doing one of several things:
1. They Are Trying to Cool Down
As humans, our feet are usually one of the coldest parts of our bodies and a dog who prefers cooler temperatures might be trying to take advantage of that by laying on your feet.
2. They Are Trying to Keep You In One Place
It’s also possible that your dog wants you to stay in one place. By sitting on your feet, your dog is preventing you from walking away.
They may want to spend more time playing with you or try to get access to more of your affection.
Why Your Dog Sleeps At Your Feet
At night, many dogs choose to sleep at the end of the bed, near our feet. This positioning may be due to the unintentional movement that we go through while we sleep.
Our tossing and turning might look annoying or even dangerous to our dogs — they don’t want to be in the way if we roll over or flop an arm around.
If your dog sleeps at your feet while you’re sitting at the computer or on the couch, they might be making sure that you won’t go anywhere without waking them up first.
What Should I Do If My Dog Always Lays On Me?
What to do when your dog always lays on you:
In most cases, our dogs laying with us and is just another way that they show us they love our company.
This bonding behavior usually isn’t a cause for concern, and can be enjoyable for both you and your dog. If you can, just make some space and enjoy lying around with your dog!
However, it’s not always ideal. If it disrupts your life and you absolutely can’t let your dog lie on top of you, it could be time for some corrective training.
When Your Dog Lying On You Becomes A Problem
When your dog is too large to lay on top of you, or when you have severe allergies, it can be uncomfortable when they lay on you.
In these cases, you may give your dog ample room to lie down next to you or near you instead of on top of you. Teach your dog an “off” command, a “bed” command (to get on a nearby dog bed), or get help from a professional dog trainer.
Be careful: shooing your dog away hastily may leave them feeling rejected by you, and can make your dog sad.
Be sure that your dog knows you want to be near them, just not crowded by them. Give your dog a treat or a favorite toy for laying down near you and not on top of you, and praise them when they are in a good, comfortable position for both of you.
When your dog is aggressive or controlling and lays on you in an attempt to dominate you, contact a professional dog trainer.
How To Benefit From Your Dog Sitting or Laying On You
Similar to humans, dogs thrive with physical contact from their loved ones. In fact, it’s widely known that having a dog is good for our health!
You can take advantage of this for the good of both you and your dog.
- Try this:
First, arrange a comfortable set-up in a bed or on a couch with snacks, drinks, entertainment, and maybe one of your dog’s favorite toys.
Make sure there’s enough room for both you and your dog, and if you know your dog is going to lay on top of you, set up some pillows for your comfort before you get down.
Then, get your dog’s attention. Invite them over and relax together for a bit while watching a movie, working, gaming, or browsing the internet.
This should strengthen the bond between you and make your dog happy.
In Conclusion
While there may be many ways to answer “Why does my dog lay on me?” — as long as we know that our dogs have good intentions and we’re all comfortable both together and apart, this is just one more way our dogs show us that they love us.
