Why do dogs sit facing away from you?

Question

My dog always sits in front of me with her back towards me.

Answer 1

She's watching for danger. She is your protector. It also makes it easier for you to reach the good scratching spots. My dog, a 10 year old golden retreiver, will get between me and anything she percieves as dangerous, and use her body to push me back before she takes it on. She is especially concerned about dangerous power tools, but once she protected me from a stray puppy.

Answer 2

Hmmm. I've never had a dog do that but I also start training them to sit as soon as possible. With all the attention and praise that they get, they seem to want to watch me. The other answers do seem to make sense, though, and they all seem to be in agreement. I did have a few dogs that got things backwards and thought they had to protect me but they would sit halfway between me and whoever was visiting but would watch the visitor very intently (but their side was towards both me and the visitor). Maybe it's a breed thing? Seems that might very well be a sign of an independent dog.

Answer 3

The only reason that a dog would sit facing away from you is because he trusts you with his life. He knows that no harm will come to him. Count this as a blessing. You must be something good to deserve such trust.

Answer 4

my dog will do that, its like a protection...shes keeping an eye out for me. but she rarely does that...shes usually right in my face

Answer 5

well my dog does that so i can scratch his back =) but i think April is right, its an instinct of their ancestors and since they love you they just wanna protect you. thats what i think =)

Answer 6

They know where you are and want to keep an eye on everything else (protection instinct) also it easier for you to pet them ;-)

Answer 7

she is protecting you and also she can be petted in the process.............this is also a sign that she is very comfortable in her surroundings and with you!