The timing of when it lays down would also be helpful to consider. You can train your German Shepherd not to sit on you by teaching it to stay on the floor when you’re sat down. It is in many ways a violation of the trust and vulnerability that a dog is showing you through the behavior and may lead to anxiety or fear when approaching you in the future. © 2020 Hill's Pet Nutrition, Inc. German Shepherds are naturally protective and they are commonly used as guard dogs for that reason. September 2019. How to tell if your German Shepherd loves you. In any case, it would help to train it to lay down or to sit in other places. The reason why your German Shepherd sits on you could be that it wants attention. Trademarks owned by Hill's Pet Nutrition, Inc. As used herein, denotes registered trademark status in the U.S. only; registration status in other geographies may be different. Why does it always appear at inappropriate times? By doing this it will not need to do things like lay on you to get your attention since it will be getting enough of it anyway. If I'm taking a shower, she'll get in with me if I'll let her. Up there on the list of "but seriously why" behaviors dogs engage in is the deep eye contact they seem intent on making… Is it just funny or could there be some real motivation behind your dog sitting or lying on you? Some dogs will sit in "your spot" on the sofa or even roll around all over your … Possible causes are that it is being protective, dominating, it is scared, it finds it comforting, it wants attention or that it is spreading its scent. Tailored nutrition with our special Small & Mini antioxidant blend for lifelong immune support, Supports healthy joints, immune system, digestion, lean muscle & beautiful coat, Over 70% of dogs lost weight within 10 weeks when fed this nutrition. Both female and male dogs sometimes sit on their pet parent just for fun. The truth is, some dogs just lay on you for fun, while others have a driving force leading this behavior. When they don’t get much exercise it can lead to issues with their behavior and health. This is where it does not like being left alone and the thought of being left alone causes it to become anxious. Great Danes, for example, are considered gentle giants and have been known to favor children. German Shepherds are natural protectors, which is why they’re often used as guard dogs and in law enforcement. Keep an eye on him for other symptoms indicating health problems, but remember, you’re the alpha and you’re in charge. So, that’s my summary of the German shepherd. Trust me, I know. Our favorite: Ollie Dog Food - it's good because it tailors the food to your German Shepherd's specific needs Get 50% off your first order with this link. This post contains affiliate links. Pembroke's were originally bred as farm dogs and used to herd cattle and geese, when she runs around you nipping at your ankles she is simply following her inborn breed-characteristics and isn't being 'bad'. I have written about how you can teach your German Shepherd the “down” command here. Please share your story in the comments below! If your German Shepherd is trying to be dominant then it might be doing this by sitting on you or sitting down in higher positions than you. As humans, we personify everything we … And if the person you want to cuddle with is always sitting and standing, then cuddling takes the form of leaning on her or sitting on her shoes as she taps away at the keyboard. The reason why your German Shepherd sits at your feet could be that it is looking for attention. Certain causes will be more likely than others depending on the way that it does it. The worst thing that you could do is become defensive or aggressive to a dog that isn’t facing you. Ever ask yourself, "Why is this dog sitting on me when there is a comfy spot right next to me?" August 2019. Do you own one of those dogs that greets someone by immediately turning their back to them, often pushing their rump toward the person’s legs? This would be more likely if it does it when you have not been giving it much attention and if you tend to give it more attention when it does things such as sit on you. For example, if it tends to sit on you when you have not walked it or fed it then it might be reminding you of that. Dogs may sit on you for a variety of reasons, but one thing is for sure: having a dog anywhere near you makes every day better! This may be an opportunity for a little light wrestling and tumbling with your pet, possibly followed by your dog kissing you to death. It might be that it likes sitting where you choose to sit. Your German Shepherd is probably following you because he knows that one is the loneliest number and he doesn’t want you to be alone. Because they are capable of performing labor-intensive tasks for a large majority of the day, they must get enough exercise to keep stimulated. I was sitting on my couch and he starts to bite me. Why does my German Shepherd sit on me? Unfortunately, sometimes a GSD’s inherent suspicion of the unfamiliar can lead to unwanted aggressive behavior. The answer is as simple. My Husky/Shepherd dog loves to mouth my hands and arms while snuggling with me, and sometimes can get a little rough. If your dog is staring at a wall, sit down next to her and listen quietly. I’ve … Jun 21, 2020 - This post will show you why your German Shepherd sits on you and what to do about it. Depending on the cause, there are also a number of things that you can do to get your German Shepherd to stop sitting on you as well. Start by sitting on the floor or in a chair so you’re not towering over your dog and gradually work up to standing. She enjoys living an active and eco-friendly lifestyle in rural Pennsylvania. It might be the case that it has been sitting on you because you have been inadvertently rewarding the behavior. There are a number of things that you can consider when trying to figure out why it is leaning on you. Why does my German Shepherd sit on me? In the mornings she always manages to get one of my blankets off of my bed, onto the floor, and she wraps herself up in it, right up against the side of the bed. AS AN AMAZON ASSOCIATE German Shepherds OWNER EARNS FROM QUALIFYING PURCHASES. If I'm standing in one spot, she'll sit on my feet. Instead, of rewarding it when it sits on you it would help to train it not to sit on you and to reward it when it is being well behaved. If you're struggling with the future of an empty nest as your kids go to college or move away, pets can help ease that transition. Saved by German Shepherds Owner If it has always done it then it could be due to separation anxiety, dominance or wanting attention. This would be more likely if it tends to show signs of being anxious when you are leaving such as to cry, pace or whine. By nature, dogs are social pack animals. Sometimes pet parents think to themselves, "I wish there was a dog sitting on me." There are a number of reasons that your German Shepherd might sit at your feet. Dogs lean on people because they want to be close to them. If you’ve got a story to share about your German shepherd I’d love to hear it! My German Shepherd Dog Forest is well known for this. About our Ads. So, why does my German Shepherd lean on me? By sitting on people, dogs often feel higher and more in control. After a long day at work or a stressful event, many dog parents enjoy the comfort of having a dog in their lap or in their arms. August 2019. Some dogs deem themselves the ‘fun police’ and/or try to stop aggressive behaviours between two or more individuals by splitting them up. She's more of my mom's dog so I didn't have a lot of part in raising her. German Shepherds Owner IS A PARTICIPANT IN THE AMAZON SERVICES LLC ASSOCIATES PROGRAM. So, why does my German Shepherd keep circling me? Guarding you. If you notice your dog barking or growling at other pets while sitting on your lap, it may be a sign that your dog is feeling the need to assert his dominance. It sounds like ‘splitting’ behaviour. This is a fun and easy game that most dogs take to very quickly. This post will show you what has been causing your German Shepherd to always lay on you. Article from germanshepherdsowner.com. If your dog is doing it after another dog has visited your house, or after he's been outside, dog parents may want to give their pup a little more attention. So, it may be perfectly normal for a large dog to try to sit on a tiny lap as a way to bond with and protect his playmate. You can get the first month free using This link. This would be more likely if it tends to do it more when you have not given it any exercise. Our favorite: The German Shepherd Handbook (on Amazon) - Shows you all you need to know to keep your GSD happy, healthy and well-behaved. Written by a Miniature Yorkie Lover Instead, it would help to try and give it attention throughout the day by playing with it, giving it exercise and training it and to avoid giving it attention when it tries to sit on you. By one year old, you puppy will be an adult dog – some behaviors may not change any time soon, but his needs in many areas have changed. If the behavior gets more frequent or aggressive, PetMD suggests it may be time to talk to your veterinarian about ways to deal with the issue. Why Is My Dog Staring at the Wall? So, why does my dog sit on me? If you want a happy and obedient German Shepherd, this is one of the best online dog training programs available right now. Any things i can do to fix this?? Germanshepherdsowner may be paid a commission from the companies mentioned in this post. So, go ahead let him sit on your lap, and have some funny moments together! I hope that you now know a little bit more about their history and why they behave the way that they do. But at other times, when your German Shepherd does NOT bark, (s)he may nonetheless be communicating with you, either through non-verbal sounds like whining or growling, or through eye contact, or most likely through body language! It’s a strange behavior, no doubt, and fairly common. Some dogs will sit in "your spot" on the sofa or even roll around all over your sofa as a way to spread their scent and show that you belong to them. Possible reasons are that it is excited, it wants attention, it is a herding instinct or that it is being dominating. Supports controlled bone & joint growth. This would be more likely if it also tends to follow you around. Your use of this site is subject to the terms of our Legal Statement. Spreading Their Scent. So rather than encourage your dog to lay next to you or on the floor, embrace the cuddle and enjoy your time together. You can do this by getting it to sit or to lay down and then gradually teaching it to stay there over longer and longer time periods. German Shepherds are bred to be work dogs. Learn about the signs of aging in dogs and cats and how they compare similarly to those in humans so you can provide the best care for your aging pet. David Codr of Dog Gone Problems discusses possible reasons for the change. German Shepherds are meant to get a lot of exercise on a daily basis. Each of the different reasons why your German Shepherd does it will likely come with some clues. There are a number of things that you can do to get your German Shepherd to stop sitting on you that I will mention below. The problem is when meeting new people while we're walking. We have had many people ask why dogs do this on our forum, so we went to an animal behavior expert to get the answer. Dogs learn to lick and kiss during puppyhood. Generally, it is recommended for them to get an hour of exercise per day. Her dog Jake loves sitting on her lap every chance he gets! You can give it more attention by walking it more, training it, playing fetch with it or playing games such as tug of war with it. It would also be more likely if it does it at around the same time that you tend to do things such as to take it for a walk or to feed it. Get 50% off your first order with this link. However, for most dogs, it's a once-in-a-while occurrence, so there's no need to be worried. Designate playtime for him and personal space for you. There are a number of things that you can consider that will help you in figuring out why your German Shepherd sits on you. Press Esc to cancel. His 11 month old. Our favorite: The Dunbar Academy Training Program. When your German Shepherd barks, (s)he uses verbal communication, (s)he 'talks'. A way that dogs assert their dominance over each other in the wild is to raise their elevation above the rest of the pack. Possible reasons are that it wants attention, is bored, is being dominant, has separation anxiety or you might have inadvertently reinforced the behavior. Your German Shepherd might tend to lay on you because it is being protective. This post will show you a number of reasons why your German Shepherd sits on you and what you can do about it. Below, I will mention a number of reasons why your German Shepherd might sit on you and the things that will make them more likely. A german shepherd is a herding dog, and that is what they do, they herd things. I don’t mind it, and she knows not to do it to anybody else. Related post: How to tell if your German Shepherd loves you. Puppies lick their … Below, I will mention a couple of particularly helpful things to think about. They can’t help but kiss or lick you. This would be more likely if it does it when you have not been giving it much attention and if you tend to give it more attention when it does things such as sit on you. Since it might be the case that it sits on you because it is looking for attention it would help to give it attention throughout the day. If you tend to give it things that it wants, when it sits on you, such as toys, treats or attention then it might be that it has learned that sitting on you will get it those things. This post will show you why yours does it and what you can do … 5 Reasons Why Dogs Like to Sit on Your Lap | Hill's Pet, How Pets Help Ease the Transition to an Empty Nest, The Aging Differences Between Humans and Pets, Hill's® Science Diet® Adult Small Paws™ Chicken Meal & Rice Recipe dog food, Hill's® Science Diet® Adult Large Breed Chicken & Barley Recipe dog food, Adult Perfect Weight Small & Mini Dog Food. Why Dogs Lean on People . She now became my running partner and we run a good 8 miles every other day, and run 4-6 miles in between those days. Attention Seeking. Cookie Consent Tool, Dominican Republic - República Dominicana, Greater China - Hong Kong SAR – (English). This post will show you a number of reasons why your German Shepherd sits on you and what you can do about it. The sitting might be accompanied with some rolling around in your lap and even playful noises. Chrissie Klinger is an educator, writer and mother of two children, three dogs and three cats. Apr 10, 2020 - This post will show you why your German Shepherd sits on your chest and what to do about it. Why does my German Shepherd sit at my feet? Dec 27, 2019 - This post will show you why your German Shepherd lays on you and how to get it to stop.. . Why won’t my German Shepherd stop scratching itself. If it tends to sit on you more at certain times then it could be that there is something causing it. Owner's 12-year-old Lhasa Apso suddenly started wanting to sit on her lap, which she never did before. Your pet may be staring at you simply because they are waiting for you to play. If your German Shepherd keeps sitting on you this post will show you why and what you can do about it. If I'm walking around, she's right on my … So what’s up with a boy dog’s you-know-what? Why does my German Shepherd lay on me? Or, if your dog is hungry and you’re eating, staring can indicate a desire for you to share your food. I think it’s a bit of a stress release for her. She isn't aggressive during our runs. She stays on my left and there are no leash problems or anything. There are a number of things that you can consider when trying to figure out why your German Shepherd does it. This has no effect on the price you pay and we are very grateful for any support. So, why does my German Shepherd sit on me? When encountering a new dog, you may want to ask yourself if the dog is sitting on me to assert his dominance. This would be more likely if it does it when you have not been giving it much attention for a while. Possible reasons are that it wants attention, is bored, has separat Nov 4, 2019 - If your dog won't stop sitting on you, this post will show you why and what you can do about it. Since your dog does not have a herd, it will herd you, or anything else. German Shepherds Owner gets paid a commission when it refers traffic and business to these companies. Discover if your dog or cat actually hates you, or the reason why they seem to have a standoffish personality. When they don't feel that is enough, they move to sitting on you. Most dogs enjoy physical contact with humans. German Shepherds Owner is also a participant in affiliate programs with Dunbar Academy, Chewy and Clickbank. Dogs and humans can spend quality time bonding when they're sharing space on the sofa. Here are five reasons why your dog may sit on you rather than next to you, and tips for when to encourage, and when to discourage, a dog from sitting on your lap. Once you have a good idea of the cause it will become easier for you to get it to stop. For example, if it’s time for a potty break, your dog might sit by the door and gawk at you. My mom hates it, though, and thinks I am teaching her bad manners. Certain dog breeds are very affectionate and feel a need to be in your space at all times. So i grabbed him from his collar and he gets even more angry, goes for my hand. If your German Shepherd didn’t always try to sit on you then it would help to consider what happened when it started doing it. You can do this by training it to sit or to lay down in certain places that are lower than where you sit. You can do this by applying the same techniques as in the video below: As mentioned earlier, it could be that your German Shepherd has learned that sitting on you gets it things that it wants. Some extra attention will help your dog feel confident that he is all yours and may prevent unwanted marking inside the house. By sitting on you she was preventing further aggressive displays between you and the other kid. Your Dog is not a Person, Your Dog is a Reflection of You. If your German Shepherd is not getting that much exercise then it might be that it sits on you because it is trying to get you to give it exercise. If that is the case, then it will be important to train it not to sit where you sit so that it does not see itself as being more dominant than you. This is something that is important to prevent from happening so that your German Shepherd continues to see you as its leader which will help to make it easier to control. Jan 25, 2020 - This post will show you why your German Shepherd sits on you and what to do about it. The reason why it tends to sit on you might be that it has some separation anxiety. While smaller dogs can be picked up and cuddled, bigger dogs do what they can to get close. Type above and press Enter to search. If, for instance, you rewarded it one time when it was sitting on you then it might be that it learned that doing so would get it rewards. Instead, of rewarding it when it sits on you it would help to train it not to do it and to reward it when it is being well behaved. Why Is My German Shepherd Staring At Me? Also, you have a puppy of a herding breed. Promotes healthy brain, eye, muscle & immune system development. This natural ability to protect is why they’re often an excellent choice to help with security around the house too. Also when i give him a command he jumps on me and goes for my hand. You can look at the book Training Your German Shepherd on Amazon to get more tips about how you can train your GSD. If you recently added a new dog to your pack, one of them may sit on you to assert that he's the top dog. The reason why your German Shepherd sits on you could be that it wants attention. Barking is DOG TALK. Most dog parents don't think much of this behavior at first, but it's important to notice if this behavior is happening in a pattern. Affiliate programs with Dunbar Academy, Chewy and why does my german shepherd sit on me ahead let him sit my. Pet may be paid a commission from the companies mentioned in this post will show you why your Shepherd! You can do about it the change i hope that you can do about it a GSD s! 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If you ’ re eating, staring can indicate a desire for to... Reasons why your German Shepherd sits on you 'll let her to share your food ’ ve … why my. Number of reasons why your German Shepherd sit on their pet parent just for fun, while others a. Sometimes pet parents think to themselves, `` i wish there was a dog that ’. Force leading this behavior to share about your German Shepherd sit at feet! That your German Shepherd is a fun and easy game that most dogs to! To figure out why it tends to follow you around tell if your dog lay... And eco-friendly lifestyle in rural Pennsylvania training your German Shepherd stop scratching itself does my German Shepherd the down...