Dogs can choose different areas to lay down and sleep, but often, they prefer to settle down on your feet! There is plenty of space around, so you might frequently wonder, why does my dog sleep at my feet?
Until such time that your pet can talk, It will only leave you wondering about the real answer to this million-dollar question. Many pet owners draw out various assumptions about why their pets prefer to sleep by their owners’ feet instead of staying on their bed.
It doesn’t matter how much you spend or how long you’ve searched for the best dog bed for your pet. Often pets end up falling asleep where you are. And their favorite spot is by your feet, legs, or on your lap. It can be very amusing and sweet to notice your pet dozing off your foot, whether you are standing, sitting, or laying around. But why do they do this?
Our pets are expected to be loving and loyal beings. They love their owners the most and will cling to your side at all costs. Over the years, your pets have grown to love you unconditionally, and they crave your companionship above anything else. Thus, they take every moment that they can to be as close to you as possible. And it includes leaning on your legs until they fall asleep on your feet. Let’s get to know more about the adorable sleeping habits as we move on.
Must Read: MEET THE POPULAR AND EXCELLENT SERVICE DOG BREEDS
Potential Reasons For Why Does My Dog Sleep At My Feet
A sleeping dog underneath your chair on your feet while you work on your desk at home, is a common scenario for many pet parents. It can also happen while reading a book in bed and your pet decided to hop on and curl against your legs. Dogs love being near you, and of course, you love having them near too. But is it normal for your canine buddies to lie on your feet most of the time? Is this behavior a sign of something bad? Whatever reasons your dog has for cuddling on your legs, it is never a negative sign. Here are some considerations for such canine habits.
A Cuddly Cause
Most of our fur babies’ behavior can be attributed to their instinctive pack mentality. It includes laying on your feet and cuddling close to you because you are part of their pack. Canines are born to be raised in groups, and they thrive while cuddling, communicating, and cooperating. In some cases, your pet may give you a preferential spot on the couch or bed because you are the pack leader. Your pet may stay on the foot of your bed to show their respect for you too.
Puppies also spend their time following their mother underfoot. Thus, your pet’s desire to sleep on your feet often comes from their instinct of wanting to be close to their loved ones or seek protection from their leader. If you often find your pet at your feet, it might be because they feel that it is safe to stay there.
MORE: Why Do Dogs Like Belly Rubs? Top Reasons to Indulge Your Pets
Or, There Might Be Potential Issues
Although the habit of dozing off on your feet seemed so natural, you should also learn to read your pet’s cues and behavior. If you notice your pet cowering or huddling at your feet, they may be feeling frightened or insecure. If they look and feel tense, they may require help. Remember that you are your pet’s protector, but it might not be healthy for your relationship if they often use you like a safety blanket.
You can take this as an opportunity to work on positive training or to take them for a walk to lessen their anxiety. These steps will help reduce your dog’s fears and insecurities. Positive training will not only do good for your pet; it will be a good experience for you too.
Territorial Behavior
Sometimes dogs would lay on their owner’s feet in an aggressive and hostile manner. You should take steps to correct this behavior through positive reinforcement training. Your pet may no longer show respect to you as the pack leader but is already expressing dominance or territorial feelings. It may be showing that they “own” you. Thus, find a way to let your pet know that you prefer to have your personal space. When they are rewarded for protecting you while it is not needed, the habit can become problematic in the long run.
You Have a Velcro Dog
Separation anxiety in canines can make them feel unsafe when they are away from you. They become “velcro dogs” who always need to stay by your side or your feet. If your best buddy seems anxious when they are not touching you, it may develop into unhealthy and clingy behavior. Think of ways to help them build their self-esteem. Spend time with them on walks, hikes, or exploring new places. You may also socialize them by meeting other pets and people in the neighborhood.
Must Read: WHY DOES MY DOG SLEEP ON ME? IS IT A GOOD OR A BAD THING?
Why Do Dogs Like to Lay By Your Feet?
There are various reasons why your pet likes to lay by your feet and eventually doze off. Primarily, they want to stay close to you because you are their pack leader, and they have strong pack instincts in them. Staying with you helps them survive, stay healthy, and be protected. There is a hierarchy for dogs in the wild, and it is the same in your household. You will always get the best spots around the house, and your fur babies will lay around close to you for many reasons. Here are some meanings to look on for your pet’s adorable sleeping habit.
For Comfort
Your pet sees you as the one in charge. You are a “safe” person that they can trust. Being close to you gives your dog comfort, and it keeps them feel at ease. When they lay by your feet, they can be physically close to you and feel calm. Likewise, it can also be the other way around. Our pets care about us a lot, and keeping close to you might be one way for them to show support and comfort you. Some dogs stay by their owner’s side who is sick or ill, which is a way for them to provide comfort.
Safety
As pack leader and owner, you are viewed as the protector of the pack. It is common for dogs to want to stay close to their leader for safety. Insecure and anxious dogs will never leave your side. But sometimes, even those who are not insecure will want to stay by your side too. Their fears could be triggered by a new sound, new person, experience, or smell unfamiliar to them. They will seek your protection for such matters and want to be with you most of the time. Notice their sleeping position; if they lie on your feet with their belly exposed, it means that they feel safe close to you.
Warmth
Although it is more common in puppies, adult dogs still seek their owner’s feet for warmth. Puppies may sleep close together to stay warm and safe. For them, staying close is a mode of survival against the elements. Your pet will stick by you if they feel cold and need to be warmed.
Affection
Cuddling your feet and legs could also be a sign of their affection. Your pet loves you. And lying next to or on your feet is allows them to make a good physical connection to their pack leader. It is just like the comforting actions mentioned above, but showing affection is less of your dog’s pack instinct. It speaks more about your good relationship and the respect you share with your pet.
Protection
While there are dogs that seem too dependent on their owners, others are extra secure in their personality and feel the need to protect you. Sitting close or sleeping by their owner’s feet may be their way of guarding and protecting you as their leader. We are not sure what’s running on our pet’s mind, but they consider many things a threat; thus, they need to be always close to you and be your guard.
This behavior is also inherent in their wolf ancestors as a classic survival trait. The pack leader is the most vulnerable member of the ground, and while they are responsible for protecting the pack, the members are also inclined to defend their leader as much.
Territorial
Another possible reason why your dog loves lounging at your feet is that they are marking their territory. When they sit close to you, it is a warning for other dogs and people to stay off from you because you are your pet’s leader.
They can exhibit such behavior indoors or outdoors while you are out for a walk with your pet. Their territorial position can be confirmed if your dog shows some mild signs of aggression when another pet or person comes near you. It only goes to show that, while you think that the dog is yours, your pet also feels that you are theirs.
Must Read: Reasons why dogs acting weird (Must read)
Waiting for Food
Another reason why pets stay close to you and doze off on your feet is that they are waiting for something from you. It is likely that when they do this often when they are not yet fed, or you haven’t taken them for a walk. Once they get what they need from you, they happily find another place to lounge and sleep on.
Encouraging the Behavior
Your pet may be sleeping at your feet because you have been encouraging them to do so. Our pets do not need a lot of encouragement to stay close to you. Giving them what they want, such as extra attention, belly rubs, or treats when they lay by your feet, will surely encourage them to do it often for more rewards. On the other hand, it still depends on whether you want them or not to sleep by your feet. If it gets too close for comfort, try giving them positive reinforcement training to behave the way you want them to.
Must Read: 7 MOST EFFECTIVE DOG TRAINING METHODS THAT YOU CAN USE TO TEACH YOUR DOG NEW TRICKS
How Can I Make My Dog Stop Sleeping On My Feet?
As much as we love to indulge our pets, sometimes a bit of tough love is also needed to instill discipline into them. Like our other family members, you have to be firm and train them with positive reinforcement to ensure that they do not become spoiled little dictators at home. You and your pet, along with other family members, can live together in peace and your personal spaces. Finding out the answers to why does my dog sleep at my feet is the first step for you to finally figure out how to stop them from doing it.
Although pet owners allow their pets to lay at their feet, it might prove to be inconvenient over time. You might disturb your sleeping canine every time you need to stand up and move around. If you have a giant pet, it can also be tiring for you.
If you need to stop your dogs’ sleeping habits at your feet, use positive reinforcement training to change their behavior. Reward them when they sleep and stay in their bed. It does not mean that you have to scold them when they hop on your bed to lay close to you to doze off. Avoid encouraging them when they do this. Thus avoid rubbing their belly, petting, or giving them treats when they sit at your feet.
And most importantly, have patience and reassure your pet while you teach them to sleep on their beds.
Conclusion
Often, our dogs can sleep anywhere that they want to. But there are dog sleeping habits that would make you wonder, such as, “why does my dog sleep at my feet?” There are probably hundreds of reasons why, but you will always end up assuming the real cause for it until such time that your dog can talk. A dog laying at its owner’s feet could be pure instinct, a mutual protection mode for the dog and the leader. It can be a cute bond between you, but if your pet’s closeness bothers you, you have to act soon. You can train them to respect your personal space as you would with theirs. But if it’s okay with you, then give them rubs, pets, and praises, for they’ll always stay by your side from then on.
