Does your dog ever put their paw on you while you’re petting them? Maybe they come over and bat at you while you sit at the table or watch TV.
Perhaps your pooch paws at you when they want you to throw the ball or take them outside. But why does your dog do this? Do dogs pet humans? Or is your dog doing something else? Let’s take a look:
Why do dogs bat at you?
Why does your dog bat at you, anyway? Why do dogs paw at your arm or leg? Are they trying to scratch you?
There are several reasons why your dog might keep touching you. The main reason is that they’re trying to get your attention.
This is usually to express their love or affection for you. However, your pooch may also want to be petted or played with.
Does your dog want to comfort you?
If your pooch is putting its paw on you, it’s clear they want to initiate communication with you. But could it be that your dog is explicitly trying to comfort you?
Canines are highly perceptive and able to sense when their owners are sad, disappointed, or lonely.
So, if this is how you’re feeling, it’s not surprising that any highly empathetic pooch would want to comfort you!
It may be annoying when your dog scratches your arm. But if you aren’t feeling good, let your dog give you their love. Cuddling with your pooch can be very therapeutic, after all!
Does your dog want attention?
Some dogs are incredibly independent. These dogs barely ever spend time near you or in the same room as you, instead sprawling out on the floor or snuggling up in their bed alone.
If you’re lucky, they’ll pop up on the couch beside you now and then or bring you a toy, but only when they want to.
However, other dogs are needier. Other pooches crave loads of pets and physical contact, and prefer to snuggle up to you, follow you around the home, and be petted constantly!
Either type of dog may pop up and bat you when they want a little ear scratch or just to be acknowledged.
Is your dog anxious?
When your dog nudges your hand, what other body language do they show? For example, if you get up, put on a jacket, or pick up some keys, your dog could think you are leaving.
Or perhaps it’s a sudden noise like thunder, a distant lawnmower or car engine, or even knocking against something or knocking on the door that has frightened your dog and made them paw at you for comfort.
If your dog is anxious, you might spot body language like a low tail, heavy breathing, and other signs of uneasiness. If you think your dog is anxious, try soothing them by saying that everything is alright, comforting them with a favourite toy, allowing them to sit in your lap, or playing some gentle music and letting them chill out in a quiet room.
Could your dog be hungry?
Do you ever give your dog a treat when they paw at you? If you don’t understand why they’re doing this, and you’re sitting at the table anyway, do you just slip your pooch a little tidbit or treat to keep them happy?
If so, you may have accidentally taught your dog that petting you is the way to ask for a little something to eat.
Your dog may also know how to bark to ask for food but might have realised that pawing at you is the more effective and immediate method.
If you think your dog might paw at you because they’re hungry, check out their bowl the next time they do this, and top the kibble up for them if it’s close to dinner time!
Does your pooch need to go?
Even if you’ve tried all the bells and whistles with your dog, like getting them to stand on a button when they need to go outside, using a bell, or simply scratching at the door, chances are your pooch will just revert to old faithful when they really need to go outside.
They might bark in the direction of the door, stand there while wagging their tail, bring a ball or toy over and drop it in your lap for outdoor fetch, and if all else fails, come over and scratch you with urgency! If this is the case, it’s time to go outside!
Does your dog just want to communicate?
Your dog may just be putting their paw on you simply because they want to spend some time with you. Maybe your dog could do with a manicure, but when dogs pet people like this, it’s comparable to them just wanting to start a conversation.
Like how we pat our pooches to show affection and love for them, our dogs do the same for us!
So, next time your dog is batting ceaselessly at your arm or leg, and you’ve surveyed their water bowl, they aren’t scared of something, and they don’t need to go out for a walk or to relieve themselves; put some time aside to talk to your pooch, pet them, ruffle their fur, or play with them?
What are some other reasons why your dog is touching you?
Every dog is unique, so we can’t anticipate why every dog would nudge you or bat your arm. While your dog may pet you because it wants something, your pooch may also put its paw up to say, “Stop”!
How long is your dog scratching at your arm? Though a dog who nudges and bats your arm persistently might want more petting, what if your dog just holds out their paw?
If your dog holds out their paw while you are petting them, this could be your dog communicating that they have had enough and want a break from being petted.
If this is what you suspect your pooch is saying to you, stop stroking them. Your dog will soon tell you if they want you to keep petting them!
So, do dogs pet humans?
So, does your dog technically pet you when they try to get your attention this way? Well, maybe your dog isn’t precisely petting you, per se – your dog most likely sometimes nudges you when they need food or water sometimes, or when they want to play.
However, if your pooch noses at your arm when they want to cuddle up together or be petted, you could say that this is your dog petting you!
