6 messages your dog may be trying to convey when he puts a paw on you

Dogs often raise their paws or try to touch us when they want to tell us something. This gesture can range from a show of affection to a search for security when they are anxious.

That’s why the incredible.club will explain the 6 possible signals that a dog may be trying to transmit every time he touches you with his paw.

It is important to clarify some canine body language regarding the gesture of placing a paw on you, as it can be mistaken for a sign of dominance. Dogs’ gestures and postures are often misinterpreted and we tend to humanize them.

Observing the animal’s behavior is important for us to understand exactly what it is trying to pass on to us, to avoid problems such as stress, anxiety and, in the worst case, aggressiveness. The gesture of putting a paw on someone or just lifting it can indicate many things. Therefore, it is necessary to pay attention to the context and other body signals when determining its exact meaning.

When the dog puts his paw on our leg or some other part of the body, it is a sign that he wants to be petted. Lying on their back is another body expression of affection that should also be considered when interpreting their behavior.

In addition to wagging their tails, dogs can express joy in other ways, such as having their ears relaxed. It is very common to confuse agitation with joy; spinning in circles or jumping non-stop can indicate that the dog has a lot of energy accumulated, and this can lead to behavioral disorders, such as urinating for euphoria and even becoming aggressive.

Among the usual forms of socialization among dogs are those of submission and dominance. Normally, when the submissive dog wants to make it clear to the dominant that he accepts his place, he will lie on his back and may raise one of his front paws.

There are several postures among dogs that indicate that they want to play. One of them is the reverence position, which they do to call not only other animals, but also people to join in the fun. Other ways to indicate this are to lift a paw or touch another dog or person with it.

When playing, dogs can bite, bark and even grunt, behaviors that can be misinterpreted as aggression. When play becomes too rough, a change in body posture can be noticed: typically, they become more rigid and move faster without jumping or running in circles.

Physical contact is very important for a dog, and it could be that by placing a paw on us he is communicating insecurity or fear. It’s important to watch your body language to identify this. Flattening the ears and yawning are other signs of anxiety.

Dogs love our company, and one way to get our attention when we’re busy is to put a paw on us. This can come with other behaviors such as barking, searching for toys, climbing on furniture, etc.

However, if the dog is very insistent and his attention seeking increases, this indicates that he may be bored, with a lot of accumulated energy and without necessary mental stimulation.

Another message they try to convey with this gesture is that they are hungry. Normally, a dog knows when it’s time to eat, so he can ask for food in different ways, such as with some kind of cry.

Do you know any other behavior in dogs? Comment what your puppy does when he touches you with a paw.