My dog sits in my spot as soon as I get up. What doest this mean?

Answer 1

All the answers about dominance are just silly and wrong. And don't watch Cesar Millan, he is an idiot and doesn't know his stuff. He just makes up a bunch of stuff about what dogs are thinking and projects it.

Dogs just don't challenge you. Status is a poor model for understanding dog behavior and has been discredited by the real people who study and work with dogs for a living. Read Dr. Patricia McConnell, Suzanne Clothier, Dr. Ian Dunbar, Jean Donaldson, Ray Coppinger, etc.

Hanksimon is closest. If your dog will move when you want him to, good. If you dog challenges you, he loses all priviledges and only gets them back when he earns them by being deferential and polite.

Answer 2

Usually it is an affiliative gesture. Your seat is warm and dogs are attracted to that, plus your scent is there for them.

On a very rare occasion, you will have a dog challenge you. The best way to deal with that is simple, "Nothing In Life Is Free". Dog loses priviledges. Dog wants dinner? Dog sits.
Dog wants petting? Dog sits and human determines when and how long it lasts. Dog gets obedience training. Dog moves when human asks (politely but firmly) .

Answer 3

I can agree with both sides of the spectrum here. It soley depends on how the dog reacts upon your return. If you tell him to move and he does so (even if it's reluctantly) then he's just moochin off your warm spot.

However, if you find your dog growling,nipping, or you have to force him off the sofa then you're having a dominance/obidiance problem. At this point you should take care of the problem immediatly before it becomes worse. Be firm and consistant! Don't scold him one day for his behavior then praise him the next day...imagine how confusing that must be.

Answer 4

I'm sure the answers are confusing, but it is an easy choice. What happens when you come back and take your seat?

If your dog growls, you have a problem.

If your dog resists, when you want your place, he just likes your warmth, smells, and the compfy chair. Gently push him away and tell him off. Make sure he gets completely off. If you want to let him back on, then make him sit for a momnet, and invite him back. Otherwise, he'll learn finder's keeper's, loser's weepers.

If he leaves when you return, he is saving your place for you, and he loves you and your scent.

Now you can make the choice of the right answer.

Answer 5

Well, my dog does the same of my husband and me. Only it's usually in the bed when one of us gets up. With her it's because she loves the warmth left behind by our bodies since she is little. But I know too that she does cause she loves us.

Hope this helps

Oh my!, I disagree with those of you who say that he is challenging the "master". Not at all, it is to be close to you, to take on part of your sent to be accepted into the pack, and the warmth. Oh, I know my little dog doesn't try to challenge us by sitting in our warm spots.

Answer 6

I think your dog is guarding your spot,so its safe for you to sit in on your return.

Answer 7

It means your spot is warm and has your comfortable smell...the dog feels close to you there...mine do it too...but im usually trying to hurry them up to go outside and do their business.

Answer 8

Wants to be close to you,warmth of the seat. Don't forget how keen a dog's sense of smell is,that's their way of staying close to you.

Answer 9

It means that he see's himself as a or THE head of the house hold...There needs to be some boundaries put into play.

Also if you have cable and have a chance to catch it, check out the Dog Whisperer with Ceaser Milan, the guy really knows what he is talking about.

Answer 10

You have a very comfortable seat! :)

Dogs are territorial! You are the alpha male/leader. The chair is a "place of honor". When you get up, you are leaving the place of honor and your dog feels like it is "next in line for the throne".

Kick (figuratively) the dog off the couch/chair and take back your throne! :)