Get

In Your Inbox

Dogster is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Learn more.

Why Does My Dog Put Their Paw on Me? 10 Common Reasons

detail picture of holding hand and dogs paw

Dogs are amazingly communicative and use their faces and bodies to let us know what they need. Paws are another way our dogs talk to us, and they can be surprisingly expressive! If your dog puts their paw on you, they likely want to tell you something, whether it’s positive or negative.

In this article, we’ll look at 10 reasons your dog might put their paw on you and how you can figure out what it means.

divider dog paws 4 oct 2024

The 10 Reasons Your Dog Puts Their Paw on You

1. They’re Trying to Get Your Attention

Dogs are intelligent and learn from their surroundings. Using their paws to communicate is something they learn as puppies, and they can even pick up movements from us. If your dog puts their paw on you insistently, they’re likely trying to get your attention.

It could be one heavy-handed paw or a repeated tapping motion. Either way, your dog could be signaling to you that they want you to focus on them, whether for a head scratch or to let you know something’s bothering them. Insistent paws can get frustrating for owners, particularly if your pup is persistent!

But every time you give in and give them attention, they reaffirm that using their paw does get your attention.

dog hugging owner
Image Credit: Bogdan Sonjachnyj, Shutterstock

2. They’re Saying, “I Love You.”

Just like a dog using its paws for attention, they can use them to convey affection, too. You’ve more than likely put your hand on your dog’s head or back and affectionately stroked them, sometimes even doing it absent-mindedly. This behavior is something your dog can learn to do, and they use the touch to let you know they’re here and love you.

Service dogs use touch techniques to reassure people when they visit hospitals and nursing homes; their touch can provide comfort to patients in need. If your dog places their paw on you and looks into your eyes, it must just be their way of saying, “I love you.”


3. They Want You to Continue What You’re Doing

If you’ve been stroking your pup and cuddling them, but you pull away, you might feel a paw on your arm or leg. In that situation, giving you their paw (perhaps paired with a pleading look) can mean they want you to continue with what you are doing!

Some dogs will follow with a head nudge or place their head on your lap.

border collie dog at the park with owner
Image Credit: Your Hand Please, Shutterstock

4. They Want You to Stop

On the opposite end of the scale, if you’re petting your dog and you stroke an area they’re uncomfortable with, they might place their paw on your hand or arm to stop you. This applies to any situation your dog might not like, such as when you get the harness out or begin to brush them. It’s essential to listen to what your dog is telling you and watch out for changes in body language.

A relaxed dog might use their paw to say “hands off” at first, but even the most pleasant dog will have a limit as to what they’re prepared to put up with.


5. They’re Petting You Back

This reason is similar to the affectionate, loving paw discussed earlier. Because dogs learn from their owners, they might try and pet you with their paws. When petting your dog or sitting near them, they might use their paw to stroke you or place their paw on you to reciprocate the gesture.

The pleasant feeling they get when they’re petted is something they could want to share with you, so they’ll make physical contact and extend the interaction with you because they like it so much.

weimaraner dog sitting on owner's laps
Image Credit: Rawpixel.com, Shutterstock

6. They’re Anxious

Some dogs try to alert us to how they feel using their paws, and anxiety is often conveyed through physical touch. If our dog is anxious about a place, person, or situation, they might paw you to look for comfort and reassurance.

Often, nervous paws are paired with other anxious canine body language you can look out for.

Signs of an anxious dog include:

  • Yawning
  • Lip licking
  • Shaking or trembling
  • Scooting close to you
  • Lowering their ears
  • Tucking their tail in

If your dog is showing signs of anxiety, we suggest you speak to a vet.

Did you know you can talk to a vet online? Click on the image or button below to schedule a call: PangoVet_Mention-in-Content Savings V1



7. They Want to Play

Like an anxious dog, a dog that wants to play will be brimming with playful energy. Canine body language is sometimes tricky to understand, but a playful dog is always easy to single out! Your dog might have their tail wagging enthusiastically with a big doggy “grin” on their face and tap you with their paw impatiently.

Some dogs even bring a toy over to their owners and hold it in their mouth while they give a paw, signaling that they desperately want you to join in the fun!

weimaraner dog with his owner
Image By: Tatjana Baibakova, Shutterstock

8. They’re Insecure

Dogs are emotional and rely on their owners for direction on how to act. If your dog feels insecure about a situation, is stressed, or has something bothering them, they might paw you and look for reassurance. Just like with anxious dogs, other strong emotions such as fear or even possessiveness can trigger your pup to place their paw on you; your reaction often teaches them how to react and behave.

For example, if you push their paw off, they might learn not to come to you for that reassurance. If you react fearfully or angrily to whatever is making them uneasy (such as an approaching person), they’ll often respond similarly.


9. They Want Food

If your dog begs at the table or sits beside you and purposefully places their paw on you when you’re near their food bowl, they could be telling you that they’re hungry. Dogs will quickly learn that giving you their paw means they get food, so they’ll put their paw on you again and again!

This learned behavior can get intense if your dog does it every time you have food; the more you give them food when they give a paw, the more they’ll ask for it!

owner giving treats to morkie puppy
Image by: Cavan-Images, Shutterstock

10. They Want to Go Potty

Lastly, potty-trained dogs might use their paw (usually along with other signals) to tell you they need to go outside. Barking, tail wagging, and staring intently at the door are signs your dog needs to go, so keeping an eye on their toileting schedules and getting to know their behavior can help you determine whether the paw they’re giving you is urgent!

divider dog paws 4 oct 2024

Conclusion

Knowing why your dog is putting their paw on you is half the battle when finding out what they need. Most of the time, your dog will use their paws to communicate with you; knowing their behavior and personality can help you figure out what is bothering them, and being clued up on canine body language is the key to effective communication. Paws included!

Also see:


Featured Image Credit: JakubD, Shutterstock

How useful was this post?

Click on a star to rate (you can leave written feedback after clicking submit)

Help us improve Dogster for pet parents!

Your feedback really matters.

What did you like about this post? Also how can we improve it?

Join the conversation

Leave a Reply

You’re very welcome to leave a comment or question. Please know that all comments must meet our community guidelines, and your email address will NOT be published. Let’s have a positive and constructive conversation.

Talk With A Vet Online

Peace of mind,
anywhere, anytime

Affordable vet advice

How Different Generations Care for Their Pets (2025 Guide)

There has been a surge in pet ownership since 2020, partly because of the Coronavirus pandemic; this has allowed some interesting studies to...

30 Famous Cartoon Dogs From Comic Books, TV & Film

Dogs have really hijacked our lives in the best of ways! They have inspired us to create many masterpieces centered around the companionship...

Dogster Photo Contest: Dogs of the Week Winners (January 2, 2025)

This Week’s Winner Cutest Most Expressive Sleepiest Silliest Most Dignified Enter Your Dog Submit your doggie for a chance to be featured! Click...

How to Shave a Dog With Matted Hair: 8 Vet-Approved Steps & Prevention Tips

A shaved dog is probably not the style you’d prefer aesthetically. However, for dogs with severely matted fur, sometimes cutting their hair down...

More related

Bullmatian (Bulldog & Dalmatian Mix): Info, Pictures, Care & More

As you might have guessed, the Bullmatian is a crossbreed that you can create by mixing a Dalmatian with a Bulldog. While the...

Dog Hiccups: Vet-Verified Causes, Care Guide & FAQ

Everyone gets a little irritated when they get hiccups, but it’s somehow funny when it’s someone else. When the hiccups strike your dog,...

Miniature Schnaupin Dog Breed: Info, Pictures, Care & More

You’re not alone if you’re less than familiar with the Miniature Schnaupin. This is a small, intelligent dog breed that is a beautiful...

K-9 Veterans Day 2025: When It Is, Origin & How to Observe It

If the thought of K-9 Veterans Day conjures up images of majestic German Shepherds donning little military vests, you’re not far off. The...

Keep reading

5 Safe Chews for Dogs: How to Choose the Right Dog Chews (Vet Approved)

No one would argue that dogs love to chew! It seems to be one of their favorite daily activities. Since it’s something that they do so frequently, you may think that they have an iron stomach and can chew up...

Golden Retriever holding a chew

7 Best Dog Foods for Pitbulls to Gain Muscle in 2025 – Reviews & Top Picks

As pet owners, we all want our companions to thrive and give them the best we can give them when it comes to their nutrition. If you own a Pitbull, you understand that public perception has missed the mark, and...

pitbull eating

Simply Nourish Dog Food Review 2025: Pros, Cons, Recalls & FAQ

Is Simply Nourish dog food a good choice for your pet? That’s what we’ll be exploring in this article. We’ll take a look at the pros and cons of this brand, as well as any recalls that have been issued...

Simply Nourish Dog Food - Featured Image

Why Do Dogs Eat Cat Poop? 5 Common Vet-Reviewed Reasons

It isn’t odd for dogs to eat cat poop, though the behavior may be quite disgusting in our minds. There are many reasons for this behavior. Most of them are harmless — it’s just something that dogs do. However, there...

Austrian black and tan hound dog eating the grass

Can Dogs Eat Palm Oil? Vet-Verified Facts & Info

You probably don’t have a bottle of it in your pantry. However, you probably consume palm oil every day. It’s big business, with global production for 2024 estimated at 80,194 million metric tons.¹ It has become widespread in a broad...

Can Dogs Eat Palm Oil

Jinx Dog Food Review 2025: Our Expert’s Opinion

As dog owners, it’s always common for us to shop around to improve our dog’s eating experience. We think nutrition is one of the most important things you can focus on for your dog’s health. We take it very seriously,...

Dogster_Jinx Dog Food Review

10 Best Rawhide Alternatives for Dogs In 2025 – Reviews & Top Picks 

While some owners swear by rawhide chews, because they are especially good at keeping power chewers busy for hours at a time, many owners refuse to use them. Some manufacturers use chemicals like bleach and hydrogen peroxide to remove the...

A dog and it's antler A brown and white dog lying on it's bed chewing on a deer antler

Can Dogs Eat Loquats? Vet-Approved Nutrition Facts

Loquats—also known as Japanese plums—are the fruits of Eriobotrya japonica trees. These sweet orange fruits offer a host of health benefits for humans, but are they safe for dogs? The ASPCA does not list loquats in its toxic plant roundup,1...

Can Dogs Eat Loquats