What does it mean when a dog puts his paw on you

It’s so adorable when your pup puts his paw on you as you’re rubbing his belly. You probably don’t want to move so you don’t disturb him — but what’s he actually saying when he does that?

We reached out to Aaron Rice, an animal behaviorist and expert dog trainer at Stayyy, to get the answer to the question: Why does my dog put his paw on me?

Why does my dog put his paw on me all the time?

When a dog puts his paw on you, it’s his way of trying to talk to you. Since dogs can’t speak, they have to communicate nonverbally with their owners.

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“A dog's paw is a very powerful tool,” Rice told The Dodo. “It can be used to express a range of emotions, from being excited to being fearful or even being aggressive. It could be to get attention, to show affection or to communicate that they want something.”

To get your attention and tell you he wants something

Pawing is a learned behavior. Most pet parents will pet their dogs, praise them or give them a treat when they put their paws on them, which reinforces the behavior. So if your pup sees that putting his paw on you gets you to pay attention to him, he’ll keep doing it.

“A paw on you means that they want attention, food, water or to go outside,” Rice said. “Some dogs might just want your attention, and they will use their paws to get it.”

If it’s around dinnertime, your pup might be trying to tell you he’s hungry. Or if you just stopped petting him, he could be trying to say, “Don’t stop.”

To show he loves you

If your pup puts his paw on you while you’re rubbing his belly, there’s a good chance he’s letting you know he loves you.

“A paw on you is a sign of affection and trust,” Rice said.

Touching, looking into your dog’s eyes and spending time together release the hormone oxytocin, which is the bonding hormone. This is the hormone that gets released when mothers feed their newborns to help them get attached to each other. It also facilitates the parenting instinct, making moms want to care for their babies.

So you actually get bonded to your dog when you’re touching him (and when he’s touching you by putting his paw on you).

Your pup might want comfort from you. “A paw on you can also be used as a calming technique by your furry friend when they are feeling anxious or stressed out,” Rice said.

And you’ll feel less stressed if you pet your pup, too. Just like staring into your dog’s eyes releases oxytocin, spending time with him also reduces the stress hormone cortisol.

So petting your pup can actually be good for you.

If you pay attention to the context clues when your dog puts his paw on you, you’ll be able to understand what he’s trying to say. Whether it’s food, playtime or pets he wants, you have to admit — pawing’s a pretty cute way to communicate.

Most dog owners have likely experienced their dog pawing at them. While you might brush it off, this act is actually your pup's way of trying to communicate with you. If your dog puts his paw on you, it can be his way of saying "I love you."

We pet our dogs to show them affection -- they're just reciprocating the love!

However, the action can also be attributed to other feelings, like hunger or insecurity. It all depends on context,

If your dog is showing signs of anxiety while pawing at you, it could mean he is feeling insecure and looking for you to comfort him.

However, if continual pawing is related to begging for food, it's best to ignore the behavior.

Photo: LittleCityLifestylePhotography/Getty Images

My favorite dog-human interaction is when my dog noses his little head under my hand after I stop petting him, as if to say, “No, you cannot stop.” Oh, it is just so sweet.

But my second-favorite dog-human interaction is when my dog abruptly puts his paw on my arm or thigh, as if to communicate something urgent. Typically the urgent thing is that he needs to use the restroom outside, but could that urgent thing sometimes be … love?

“Dogs use their paws to communicate,” Rebecca Forrest, a service-dog trainer, wrote in a recent post for the Dog Clinic. What they’re communicating can vary, and needs to be interpreted through situational cues and other body language. Are they yawning, with their ears plastered to their head? They could be experiencing anxiety. Is it dinnertime? They could be hungry. Have you been ignoring the fact that you need to take them for a walk because you just need to finish this one thing? Maybe they’re telling you, “Oh my God, can you please just take me for a walk now, this ‘one thing’ is taking FOREVER!!!!”

Or, they could be telling you they love you. If the paw is placed on you during a petting session, in an otherwise calm atmosphere, Forrest says, your dog could be “further extending contact and reciprocating affection back.” Aw.

It is very sad that our dogs cannot talk to us using humanlike dog voices, speaking our language, telling us what movie they want to watch tonight. But if we pay attention they do speak to us. I only hope dog science one day figures out the dog version of, “I think that outfit is fine, yeah.”

Is My Dog Trying to Tell Me He Loves Me?

Have you ever been sitting and minding your own business only to feel that warm and furry touch of a dog paw on your leg? Join the club!

This behavior is very common for canines. They're not able to communicate through words as we do. So, your furry friend has to develop different ways to say what they want.

Think about the way you communicate with your dog beyond words. Chances are, you use your hands to pet them.

Even if you're scolding your dog for bad behavior, you might point your finger at them or wave your arms as a way to get them to stop doing something.

Canines are cunning creatures. They pick up on those hand gestures and try to use them to their advantage. But what exactly are they trying to say? Here are some of the most common reasons why dogs put their paws on you.

8 Reasons Why Dogs Put Their Paws on You

1. They Are Seeking Attention

If you spend all day working at your desk, don't be surprised if your pup puts their paws on you. It's their way of saying they need some attention!

Think of it as a gentle reminder that your dog is still there and has some social needs you need to fulfill!

Many dogs will do this if you ignore them for several hours. You may even witness it after your pup has taken a hearty nap. Read your dog's other body signs.

If the ears are pricked up while the mouth is relaxed, they simply want you to focus on them for a minute. You might also see a wagging tail and an attentive gaze! Give your pup some loving!

2. They Want to Go Outside

As dogs get older, they will get a bit more independent about going outside to do their business. They stop relying on frequent potty breaks and learn how to notify you of when nature calls!

In most cases, the pawing will be accompanied by tapping toes and a wagging tail. You might even see them turning their head towards the door. It's your companion's way of letting you know that they need to go!

Related: Best Dog Doorbells, Let your Dog Ring When NAture Calls

3. They Want to Play

When your dog starts pawing at your leg, take a look at the floor around them. Did they bring a toy with them? If so, they're simply asking you to play!

You might see some excited tapping or jumping, too. Your pooch is bored and wants you to play with them.

Whether or not you grant that wish is up to you. But if you've ignored them for most of the day, it may be beneficial to spend a few minutes burning that energy off.

4. They Are Hungry

It's interesting how dogs develop an internal clock about dinner time.

Only give in to this pawing if it's truly dinner time for your dog! Providing food outside of feeding hours will only create a bad habit.

Your dog will resort to begging because they think that they can get food whenever they want. That's a big no-no.

Also, you need to ignore your dog if they are pawing at you when you're eating something. Never reward begging!

5. They Are Feeling Anxious or Insecure

Sometimes, dogs just need a bit of comfort. In the eyes of your dog, you're the one and only source of it. So, they'll turn to you whenever they are feeling anxious or insecure.

Maybe your dog is in a new environment that has them feeling scared. Or, they could be feeling down after you scolded them.

Whatever the case may be, the pawing is a sign that your dog is experiencing some mental anguish. You can identify this with flat ears, yawning, or lip-smacking.

As tempting as it is to console your pet every time they need it, you have to exercise some restraint. If you console your pet all the time, you're only justifying those feelings.

This could lead to more anxiety in the future. There's a fine line between rewarding anxious behavior and teaching your dog that there's nothing to be down about.

6. They're Directing Your Pets

If your dog starts pawing at you when you're petting them, they could be trying to direct you to the "sweet spot!" Don't take it as your dog trying to command you.

As long as they aren't barking or showing signs of aggression, the pawing is merely a suggestion.

They love your pets so much that they want you to pet elsewhere!

7. They Are in Pain

Physical pain could cause your dog to paw at you, too. Your pup can't tell you what's wrong. They might not even know themselves! So, their only option is to get your attention in hopes that you make it go away.

Look out for other signs of physical pain. You might be able to spot the problem right away. For example, they could have hurt their leg , a cracked paw or gotten into some thorns.

If the pawing persists, go to the vet. Your vet can give your pup a full examination to rule out any potential medical issues.

8. They Just Love You

Finally, your dog could be pawing at you just to say that they love you. This is, by far, the most heart-melting reason! Dogs love pets.

When you pet them, your dog is experiencing a rush of hormones that make them feel great.

Your pup may try to return the favor by petting you, too. This behavior could be accompanied by head nudges, snout pushes, and all kinds of physical touches.

We could all use a bit of love in our lives, so why not return the favor?

What If I Want My Dog to Stop?

There's no shame in wanting your dog to stop placing their paws on you. Paws can be filthy!

The trick to stopping it is to ignore it.

If you don't acknowledge the behavior, your dog will eventually learn that pawing will get them nowhere. Be consistent.

Don't confuse your dog by acknowledging their paw sometimes but ignoring it the next.

When your dog puts their paw on you, it's their way of communicating. To understand what they're trying to say, you have to rely on other forms of body language.

In most cases, the behavior is nothing more than a sign of affection. It's a way for your dog to bond with you. As long as it doesn't lead to negative behaviors, don't be afraid to acknowledge it.