Why does my dog sit on my other dog?

Dogs sit on other pets for several reasons. It could be caused by comfort and warmth from animals they’re comfortable to be with. It’s also a form of showing affection and a way to say that they trust them. Some dogs also sit on their pets to catch their attention and instigate playtime with them.

Should I worry if my dog sits on other pets?

Dogs sitting on other dogs isn’t necessarily a symptom of anything that should cause you any concern.

While some people think that it’s a “dominance” behavior or it’s a sign that their dog is being aggressive, this usually isn’t the case.

Unless your dog is already causing injury and harm to other pets, which might happen if you have a giant dog breed, you shouldn’t worry about this behavior too much.

The reasons as to why dogs sit on other dogs are mostly harmless. We’ll discuss each below!

Looking for warmth

Canines are pack animals and behave like they belong in one even if they’re already domesticated and no longer hunt like their ancestors.

One of their “pack behaviors” is looking for warmth and comfort in other animals they deem part of their group.

Your furry friend’s ancestors used to huddle and curl up with other canines in their pack to keep them safe from the elements, mainly if they lived somewhere cold.

Bonding and showing affection

Being close to other pets and animals is one way that dogs show that they’re trying to bond with them.

When canines are comfortable with others, they tend to let their guard down and be more carefree. This usually happens by being close and cuddly with other dogs. Sometimes, this can be as simple as lying down with other dogs, and sometimes, they also sit on them - all in good fun!

Initiating playtime

Dogs love playtime. To them, it’s a form of exercise and is a great way to spend their excess energy.

Because of this, most dogs try to initiate playing with other dogs by:

• Bringing toys.
• Running around.
• Nudging and pawing.
• Bowing in front of the other dog.

Another way dogs initiate playtime is by being physically close to others; sitting on them can be one of these actions.

This is especially true if after your dog sits on other pets, they then try to run around, nudge, and bark at your other dog.

Why does my dog sit on me?

All the reasons listed above also apply when your dog sits on you.

Your furry friend could also have been used to sitting on your lap when they were still smaller. Now that they’ve grown big, they still think they’re tiny enough to fit on your lap.

In some cases, dogs also sit on their owners because they’ve been trained to do so, even if it’s not intentional. This happens if dogs get “rewards” when they sit on their owners, which can be in the form of pets and praise.