Category: dog behavior

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This Is Why Your Dog Randomly Puts Their Paw on You

It’s cute when dogs randomly put their paws on you — and apparently, it’s not as random as it might seem.

Dog behaviorist Rebecca Forrest wrote about the topic at The Dog Clinic. She says that dogs are actually trying to communicate with you when they lay their paws on you. They can’t speak, so a little paw language will have to do!

The message could be one of several things. First, it could be a simple request for attention.

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Putting a paw on you is a relatively polite, subtle way to say: “Hi, remember me? I’m here.” It’s way less annoying than barking or whining, that’s for sure! Dogs were bred to interact with humans, so they inherently love human attention.

They may just paw at you because they know it’ll get them some pets and affection back. Or, they might put their paw on you to reciprocate the love once you’re already petting them.

Similarly, your dog might be trying to signal to you that he’s feeling stressed and needs some reassurance. If there are other signs of stress, such as yawning or flat ears, this may be the case. Rather than comfort your dog, try distracting him instead.

Photo Credit: iStock

There could also be a more specific need, such as food. Is it your dog’s regular meal time when he paws you? If so, he may be giving you a little reminder.

Either way, the pawing is definitely not intended to dominate, provoke, or irritate — so go easy on your dog if he paws at you a little too often! If it gets to be too much, the best tactic is to ignore him.

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This Is Why Dogs Kick Their Feet After They Poop

If you’ve ever had a dog, there’s a good chance you know what I’m talking about: your dog sniffs around, sniffs some more, turns in circles, then finally finds the perfect (and apparently only) spot in the yard to do their business.

Afterward, they move a few inches and then kick their feet backward, sort of covering the mess with dirt and flying grass.

But why?

Even though dogs have been domesticated for a very, very long time, they still retain some behaviors from the days before they were man’s best friend – they were once wild animals after all. It is innate instinct that drives around 10% of dogs to kick at the ground after going to the bathroom.

Dogs are territorial as a species, and are always sensitive to other dogs encroaching on their territory (it’s also why they bark out the window when another dog takes a stroll past, or – GASP – wanders onto “their” lawn).

Pooping sends a message to other dogs that the property has been claimed, and by kicking up dirt afterward, they stir up the scent that, along with pheromones released from glands on their feet, creates a strong and distinct smell. A “this is mine” sort of smell.

Other dogs then take the kicked-up grass as a clue that they’re treading on stinky, owned ground.

The pheromones actually smell stronger than the pee or poo, and can alert dogs to other things, like food trails or potential danger.

Experts warn against interrupting your dog during the ritual, claiming that doing so can make your dog feel vulnerable and confused.

So, just stay out of the way (and hope your lawn-obsessed neighbor isn’t watching your dog toss around their new grass seed. Oops.) and let nature take its course.

There’s no way to stop (or speed up) evolution, you know, so just give you pooch a pat and thank them for their vigilance.

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