Why Do Dogs Sit on Your Feet?

Don’t we all just love dogs? They’re cute, cuddly, and super loyal. They might act a little weird at times, but they’re mostly funny. Coming home to your pup is such a heartwarming feeling. It’s nice how they get excited to see you after a long day of being alone.

All they want to do is sit next to you, as close as they can be. But as pet owners, don’t you sometimes ask, “Why do dogs sit on your feet?” as soon as you come home? If you’d like to know why your puppy does this, read on and we’ll tell you all about this dog behavior.

Reasons Why Dogs Love to Sit on Your Feet

Dogs, like other animals, are often considered to be more than just a pet; they are part of the family. They’re totally adorable and they make us feel loved with their every move or gesture.

They protect us and always make us feel safe. Being weird is something that they always do. One of the silly things they often do is to lie on our feet instead of the floor. But just why do dogs sit on your feet? Here are some of the possible reasons they do this:

  • They trust you as their leader – Domesticated dogs consider their human family as part of their pack. In their pack, the human is the alpha. Lying on your feet means you’re their leader and they respect you.
  • They know they’re safe. Being the alpha of their pack, dogs see us as their savior and protector. It comforts them to know that they are always safe with you.
  • You’re marked as their territory. It simply lets other dogs know that they have to stay away from you.
  • They simply just love you and want your warmth or attention.

Should You Allow Your Dog to Sit on Your Feet?

should you allow your dog to sit on your feet - why do dogs sit on your feet

Allowing your dog to be on your feet is okay, and there’s nothing wrong with it. Doesn’t it feel nice when your pup jumps into your lap or lies on your feet from time to time? But there’s no denying that it can get annoying if you’re in the middle of something important or there’s just not enough space for your feet to stretch.

In this case, you can set some boundaries and teach your pet when it’s not okay for them to do it. For example, petting them while they perch on your feet sends them a signal that you like what they’re doing. So not petting them in this situation and encouraging them to either sit beside you or on their bed instead, by providing treats as a reward should do the trick.

Conclusion

If only dogs could talk, they’d probably tell us how much they love us over and over again. But since they can’t, they show us their affection and respect through their actions.