Why Does My Australian Shepherd Sit on Me? 7 Vet-Verified Reasons
Australian Shepherds may be working dogs, but that doesn’t mean work is the only thing on their minds. These pups are also sweet and affectionate and love being close to their families. How they show that preference can vary—they may follow you everywhere, or they may prefer cuddling. But what about if your Australian Shepherd sits on you? Is sitting on you a sign of affection?
It turns out that there’s one main reason that Australian Shepherds in particular will sit on you. But there are other reasons that dogs in general will sit on their people. Often, it’s a sign of affection and bonding, but dogs may sit on their humans for other reasons too, such as seeking warmth, attention, or comfort. If you want to know why your four-legged friend enjoys using you as a sitting spot, keep reading!
The 7 Possible Reasons Why Your Australian Shepherd Sits on You
1. You Are Your Australian Shepherd’s Person
Australian Shepherds will be sweet and loyal to their entire group of people, but these dogs are also known for choosing one person out of the family as their own. This is the main reason an Australian Shepherd will sit on you. This breed is extremely loyal and can be clingy, especially if you’re the chosen one. That means your pet will sit on you, in an effort to be close to you and show you affection.
2. Your Dog Is Leaving Their Scent
One reason that dogs in general will sit on you is to scent you. Since you’re theirs, they want to let others know that, and sitting on you gets your pet’s scent all over you. Pay attention to when your pup chooses to sit on top of you, though. If they're doing this after another animal or person has visited the home, your dog may be a bit anxious, jealous, and territorial.
3. Your Pup Is Establishing Social Status
Some dogs may sit on you as a way of asserting confidence or signaling their social status, especially to other animals in the home. This behavior is often more noticeable if you have a new dog in the household. Sitting on you can be a way for your pup to control their space or feel secure, rather than trying to dominate you.
If your Australian Shepherd begins acting aggressively toward anyone approaching while they’re on your lap, this should be addressed and discouraged, as it could indicate a resource guarding issue rather than normal affectionate behavior.
4. Your Pet Wants to Pay
Occasionally, dogs sit on you purely for play. They find sitting on you to be a fun time, particularly if you end up engaging in some rolling around and wrestling with them! So, if your Australian Shepherd has a tendency to sit on you, only to then roll around on top of you and make playful sounds, your dog is ready for a bit of playtime!
5. Your Australian Shepherd Wants to Comfort You
If you’re a long-time dog owner, you’ve probably noticed by now that dogs are excellent at deciphering human emotions. They may tell when we’re happy or when we’re down and in need of some comfort. So, if you’ve had a difficult day and come home to wallow, only to find your dog sitting on you, chances are that your pet is offering you a bit of comfort.
6. Your Dog Is Feeling Anxious or Scared
As their person, you are your dog’s safe place, so when they're feeling anxious or scared about something, it isn’t uncommon for your pet to seek you out for safety. Sitting on you means your pup trusts you to protect them, so be honored! But keep an eye on your pet if you believe that they're sitting on you for reasons of anxiety or fear, because if your dog still doesn’t feel safe, it can lead to fear or anxiety-related undesirable behaviors.
7. You’re in Your Dog’s Spot
Yep, your Australian Shepherd may be sitting on you simply because you have taken “their” place. If your pup has spent a good amount of time scenting one section of the sofa, and then you sit in that area, you’re definitely an intruder. So, your pet will sit on you to make it known that you’ve invaded.
Conclusion
The main reason an Australian Shepherd will sit on you is that you’re their chosen human, and they want to be close to you. However, there are other reasons dogs like to sit on people. Your pup might be marking you as part of their social group or subtly trying to let you know you’ve stolen their seat. Or your pet may be comforting you or seeking comfort because they're scared.
Most of the reasons that your dog will sit on you are harmless (and sweet), but be wary of any fear-related behaviours and even aggression that may arise if your Australian Shepherd is trying to show others that you belong to them or if they're afraid. Otherwise, enjoy being smushed by 70 pounds of canine!
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Featured Image Credit: LightField Studios, Shutterstock
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Misty Layne lives out in the woods in small-town Alabama with her two Siamese - Serafina & Jasper. She also has an array of stray cats, raccoons, and opossums who like to call her front porch home. When she’s not writing about animals, you’ll find her writing poetry, stories, and film reviews (the animals are, by far, her favorite writing topic, though!). In her free time, Misty enjoys chilling with her cats, playing piano, watching indie and foreign films, photographing abandoned places, and catching up on her never-ending TBR list.
