The post What Is Your Dog Telling You When It Paws You? We May Have Some Answers appeared first on Healthy Holistic Living.

Dog behavior can often be puzzling. Trying to understand the reasons why your canine companion barks, whines, licks, or jumps is not always as straightforward as you might think. One such confusing dog behavior commonly queried is pawing. Whether you’re sitting on the couch with a plate full of people-food or scratching your pooch behind the ears, an extended paw can mean different things. According to experts, there are a few reasons why your furbaby is extending its paw to you.

A Not-So-Puzzling Dog Behavior

As much as pet parents might wish, dog’s don’t communicate in the same way we do. Dog behavior is essentially their language, and much can be learned by simply paying attention. It’s important to remember that dogs, like most animals, use their entire body to get their point across to others.

Whether your pup is pawing at your leg, extending a paw while being pet, or responding to a “shake” command, they’re communicating. Just like human body language, though, canine language is nuanced. All pawing behavior is not created equal, but there are a few common reasons that dogs tend to touch in this way.

Getting Attention

Vet expert Sarah Wooten, DVM, has plenty of opportunities to observe dog behavior. She notes that dogs often communicate with their paws as a response to their human caretakers. When a dog learns how to “shake” and observes our positive reaction, they’re likely to repeat the behavior. This is especially true when a reward is offered (like a treat, praise, or extra pets). Repeating this dog behavior, then, is their way of getting your attention. After all, if it worked once, it will work again! (1)

As beings that are enamored by humans, dogs thrive on our companionship. According to dog trainer Rebecca Forrest, these animals aren’t too shy to let us know when they need attention. Forrest has noticed this in her own furry companion as well. “My dog tends to put her paw on me when I’ve been busy for most of the day,” she wrote for The Dog Clinic. “She’s asking me to play and giving me a gentle reminder ‘hey I’m here and I have needs too.’” (2)

Getting What They Want

Dogs are simple creatures with simple wants. A paw is a great way for a dog to communicate their needs. Have you ever been petting your furbaby and had them raise their paw or extend it toward you? This is a way for them to say they want you to continue. Alternatively, when they stop getting attention, this same paw may be a way of asking for more. Other wants–like food–can often be communicated by pawing. The only problem with this is that you don’t always want to give in to this behavior, especially if it’s not mealtime. (1, 2)

Saying ‘I Love You’

A paw placed on you and left there is often a way for dogs to express love. According to veterinarian Sara Ochoa, DVM, dogs get that we liked to be touched just like they do. It’s a reciprocating gesture, just like a hug. Additionally, science has shown that both humans and dogs experience the feel-good hormone oxytocin when petting. The more contact, the more those loving feelings can be exchanged.

So if you’re dog paws you, consider it a reciprocation of the love you lavish on them. While they may be asking for more food or attention, this is also an expression of love. They know that you are the one who provides for and takes care of them. Their pawing shows their assurance that you’ll meet all their needs, and they’ll happily give you the love back. (1, 2)

The post What Is Your Dog Telling You When It Paws You? We May Have Some Answers appeared first on Healthy Holistic Living.

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