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What is he signalling?

2K views 14 replies 12 participants last post by  Tioy 
#1 ·
When I am sitting in the sofa, Zingo (my 5 month old pup) usually rushes towards me. We have taught him not to jump onto the sofa. That is so nice, I expect to kiss him and rub his chest and ears, but lately he sits down by my feet with his back towards me. This has happened since the last few weeks. He expects to be cuddled in that position, if I do nothing he will look at me and nudge. I the hug him and pet his shoulder, chest and ears from behind and talk to him. After a while he will lay down onto his side so I can stroke his tummy. Often he falls asleep like that ( or laying on his back).

Why does he sit and turn his back towards me?


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#2 ·
My guess it that he's doing that because he trained you well :D
These dogs are pretty darn smart at getting what they want. Ky does that to me but when I'm watching TV she walks over and puts her head under my hand and I automatically start petting her. Some people say that's bad, I say she trained me well :D
 
#4 ·
Yep, he wants you to pet him. Yukon does this because he LOVES his backend rubbed. He just makes it easy for that to be the first place I rub him at. Yukon also sits at (almost on) my feet and I think its also a submissive thing like he's saying "You're the boss, momma" That's how I see it anyway
 
#5 ·
Ohhhh! :) He has really trained me well! He is so sweet when he is like that, although I would have preferred his face towards me.
My husband gets another treatment when he is on the sofa. Zingo will either jump up and bite his clothes or just lay down at his feet. I guess my husband is Zingos playmate (driving him nuts) and I am the cuddler?




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#9 ·
Dog 'language' is fascinating, and simply amazing. Understanding what your dog is 'saying' brings a whole new 'dimension' to your relationship with your dog. A couple of excellent resources on what your dog is saying: On Talking Terms with Dogs and a DVD, Calming Signals: What Your Dog Tells You, both by Turid Rugaas.
 
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#15 ·
Yeah, and it might be working! :) I am really struggling to resist the urge to just lift him up onto my lap and SNUGGLE!


So funny to hear that so many dogs are doing the same thing. He has really taught me to enjoy it and I just love when he closes his e yes, signs and lays down to fall asleep. Between us, I have to admit that I also sing to him, a lullabye :-O I know he is not a baby, but I love his reaction and he seems to like it ( nobody else in the family wants me to sing).

I will surely read the suggested literature, maybe there is an explanation there.


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#14 ·
Yep, Renny does this too. He did it this morning: first, nuzzled his nose under my arm as I was sitting on the ottoman after our walk. Then, turned his back, sat at my feet and pushed his back into my legs. So, I gave him a nice chest rub, which I know he loved since he put his head back and closed his eyes. Then I gave him his much-adored "scrubby-butts" (scratching the top of his rear).
 
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