Why does my dog stand over me when I lay on the floor

Every dog owner knows that their furry friend exhibits odd behaviors at times. Most of these quirks are harmless and cute. We laugh when our dogs chase their tails until they get dizzy and fall over. We take videos of them licking the last bit of peanut butter from the jar or twitching in their sleep. Nightly zoomies are part of our routine as dog owners. We find random chew toys buried in our laundry and half-eaten treats underneath the couch.

Even though our pets’ weirdness is part of their charm, sometimes we have to ask why they behave in strange ways. One question many dog owners have is: Why does my dog stand on me? Perhaps your 80-pound Labrador Retriever thinks they’re a lap dog who needs to stand on you every time you sit down. Does this sound familiar?

Standing on their human is a common behavior among dogs of all sizes. There can be many reasons why your dog does this, including personality, training, and health. Let’s take a look at the most common reasons dogs like to stand on their humans and discuss when there might be cause for concern.

The 7 Reasons for The Behavior

One of the most common reasons our dogs love to stand on us is because they want attention. Dogs are social animals. They also become very attached to their humans. When we spend too much time on our laptops or have been out all day, our dogs miss us.

Sometimes your dog will try to engage by sharing a toy or barking. Other times, they take the direct approach of standing right on top of your lap when you sit down. If you’ve ever experienced this, you know it is often accompanied by a direct gaze into your eyes. Your dog is telling you that you’ve done enough other stuff today and it’s time to pay attention to them.

Even if you spend plenty of time playing with your dog and showering them with attention, they still might climb on top of you when you sit on the couch. Often, this is their way of demonstrating they care. Dogs like to show their owners that they love them. Getting close can be a way to do that.

Your dog may also want your affection. Standing right on top of you can be their way of asking for pets and ear scratches. Give them a few pets and they may hop down or settle in for a long cuddle session in your lap.

We talk to our dogs, but they cannot return the favor. If your dog is sick, the only way it can communicate with you is through body language and behavior. As a pet owner, you know your animal and its normal personality. If your usually playful and energetic dog is suddenly subdued and clingy, this can be a clue that something isn’t right in their world.

There are many signs your dog might be ill, such as limping, shaking, panting, excessive licking, or changing appetite. If you notice any of these symptoms in your dog, paired with an increased need to be near you, you should call your veterinarian.

Although we don’t know exactly how they do it, dogs can sense when something is wrong or different in their humans. They may be able to smell a change in your body or notice some other shift.

When your dog does notice something off, they want to protect you. Standing on you is one way they do this. If you have been under the weather and your dog is more clingy than usual, it might be a good idea to make an appointment with your doctor.

If your dog has received cuddles and attention from standing on you before, they are likely to do it again. Dogs are smart and remember being rewarded for specific behavior. Since standing on you elicited affection in the past, your dog will do it again when they want the same result.

Even if your dog isn’t ill, they still might be feeling anxious about something. Maybe a thunderstorm is on the way or they are in an unfamiliar situation where they feel uncomfortable. Some dogs are afraid of loud noises or strangers. This fear can create a need to be close to you.

Your closeness and affection can provide comfort for a scared or anxious dog. Tucking their tail between their legs can be one sign that your dog’s hovering is caused by anxiety. If your pet is prone to anxiety in new situations or is easily frightened, you should discuss these behaviors with your vet. They can offer tips on working with your dog to overcome their fears.

• Related read: Why Does My Dog’s Breath Smell? 6 Causes & How To Fix It!

If your dog is standing on you and also exhibiting hostile behavior such as growling or snapping, you should seek advice from your vet immediately. They can recommend a dog trainer and other actions to curb aggressive behavior before it becomes a problem. Letting this behavior go unchecked can lead to future issues. Since sudden, unusual aggression can also be a sign of an underlying issue such as illness or fear, it is important to seek help from a professional.

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Possible Solutions

Most of the reasons your dog stands on you are not a cause for concern. However, if it does become problematic, there are steps you can take to lessen the behavior.

Maintain a routine and feeding schedule to curb their anxiety. Pay attention to changes in your dog’s behavior and temperament, and talk with your veterinarian if you notice anything unusual.

Finally, make sure you are giving your dog the exercise and attention they need every day. If your dog craves affection, give them plenty of love and cuddles. After all, love is the best gift our pets can share.

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Doggie body language is often a head-scratcher. When your dog stands over you, it can be difficult to figure out what he wants, whether it's to get a view out the window or to be around you. In many cases, a canine standing over a person points to one thing -- dominance.

If your pooch has an inclination to stand up on your lap when you're sitting down, he may be displaying classic dominant patterns. By standing over you, your dog is "higher" up than you -- if only for a brief time. Your pooch doesn't think that you're in charge -- he thinks that he's the boss. If your dog's head is much higher up in the air than yours is, the arrows may just be pointing to "dominant."

Dogs do not restrict "standing over" behavior to their interactions with humans. If a dog feels more powerful than another canine, he also may attempt to stand directly over him. In doing this, the canine is communicating the other doggie's significantly lower social status -- yikes. Also look out for other clues of superiority. Dogs often place single paws onto the shoulders of those that they sense are lower -- and weaker -- then them. Fixed staring and tense posture also often signify doggie dominance declarations.

If your pooch displays dominance aggression patterns in his behavior, whether through refusing to listen to your commands or growling at you any time you approach his prized toys, then his actions may be triggered by the things that you do first. If you, as an owner, stand over your dog instead of the other way around, he may interpret your behavior as being out of line -- after all, he views you as his subordinate. By doing this, it may incite your pet to engage in other displays of dominance. If your dog has a problem with dominance aggression, consider speaking to a veterinarian to get recommendations for qualified pet behaviorists in your area. It can sometimes be hazardous to deal closely with dogs who have dominance aggression, so be careful and enlist the assistance of an expert who has plenty of experience with this type of problem.

The better you can identify the signs of doggie dominance, the easier it can be for you to determine whether your pet's "standing over" issue is indeed a sign of it. Other common indications of a dominant dog are hiding possessions from you, obstructing you as you move around, leg humping, physical aggression, excessive barking for food and always trying to be in front of you.