Dogs have very specific means of communication and while many owners like to think they know exactly what their dog is trying to say, many of us get it wrong. Dogs are a very popular choice of pet and it’s not difficult to see why.
Their unwavering loyalty, their boundless affection and devotion to their owners, and their protective instincts help establish them as integral, beloved members of the family. In the UK alone, there’s believed to be a population of 10.6 million pet dogs. Lots of owners are keen for a deeper understanding of their furry friends.
This is evident on social media, where there’s pages and pages of videos under the search term “dog body language”, shared by experts and novices alike.
In one particularly popular video, which was shared on Instagram, a small dog can be seen pawing their owner.
Over the top of the footage, the owner penned: “Did you know that if your dog paws you while petting them, that’s their way of petting you back. Laying their paw on you is a sign that they love you and trust you.”
In the comments section, people were keen to share their thoughts and theories as to the action’s meaning. One person said: “Yes, it means please don’t stop, I like when you pet me”.
Another said: “So sweet! I too always thought it’s their way of telling us that they like it and not to stop!”
A third penned: “it’s a sign of dominance over you”, while someone else added: “I love when [my] Bella does that to me. Favourite moment of us together I will cherish forever”.
There is some truth to the theory that a dog pawing you is a sign of affection, but it’s not all your pet may be trying to say.
According to PetMD, dogs will use their paws for many different reasons and behaviours such as tapping, patting, pouncing, pushing and more.
It’s an instinctive, natural behaviour which begins when they’re puppies – they will paw their mothers for milk – and it helps them to communicate. They quickly cotton on that if they want something, pawing will help them to get it as their caregivers are typically responsive to the action.
PetMD suggests dogs may want your attention when they paw you. It states: “You may have heard the phrase ‘demand behaviour’. It’s a dated term describing a dog that uses behaviours like pawing to get something.
“The current theory is that a dog uses pawing to communicate an unmet need. People typically reinforce this behaviour by instantly providing the wanted outcome for their dog.”
It adds: “But because not all pawing is a request for attention, it’s important to be aware of what else your dog is doing.”
Pay attention to their other actions and behaviours to gauge whether they are stressed, need to go outside, they’re hungry, nervous or more.
The experts do also concede it is a method in which dogs show their love. PetMD explains: “A paw resting on your arm while you are petting them communicates that they are experiencing love. Because you are providing this reaction, you become associated with your pup’s positive feelings.”