There is nothing more special than a relationship between you and your dog. Whether you have a new dog or have had your dog for years, your dog forms a bond with you and your family that can be considered a family relationship. This relationship means that your dog considers you part of their pack.
Dog packs go back far in time – as wolves became domesticated, and over time became what we know today as our family dog, they maintained some of their initial instincts.
Those instincts include different behaviors that we still see in our dog companions – hunting, digging, and seeing their family, those that they are bonded to, as their pack.
Packs live together, they sleep together and they hang out together. As part of this, they often “pack” up together in a pile to ensure that everyone can feel the energy between them.
So what does it mean when your dog lies on your feet? Is it part of pack behavior or does it mean something else?
Let’s explore some of the reasons that dogs lie on our feet.
What does it mean when a dog lays on your feet
If we think of dogs as part of our family, then it would make sense that dogs would want to protect us like their own family. Protection for dogs is inherent in their nature, and they use that protection to maintain closeness to us. By sitting or lying on your feet, your dog is claiming you as part of the pack.
Other reasons your dog would want to lie on your feet
Now that we have established that dogs like to lie on our feet to “claim” us as their own, let’s take a look at other reasons that a dog may exhibit this behavior.
Marking their territory: Some dogs feel that if they lie on their owner, then that will “mark” that person as their own.
This indicates to them, and to any other dogs around, that this person is their property.
Often times dogs will choose a person that they feel connects with their energy or personality and when they find that person, they want to claim them for themselves.
It makes them feel like part of a group: By lying on your feet, the dog creates a “group” feeling, which lends to the pack mentality. With dogs being genetically wired to be part of a pack, they are trying to create one for themselves.
Creating a bond: Dogs that claim their owner by lying on them form a bond with their owners. Dogs want to be part of a group, and by lying on helps them to bond with their people and create that pack that they want.
It is important for dogs to feel part of things, and creating a bond with their owners is how they do it.
Making them feel secure: A dog that lies on the feet of its owner may be trying to feel safe and secure. When dogs are worried or not feeling safe, they connect with those around them that make them feel safe – hence, lying on your feet!
Showing their love: Because dogs do not talk to us with words, they use the tools that they have to communicate to you how they feel. By snuggling up, lying on you, and being close, your dog is telling you how much they care.
Bottom Line
Our dogs have changed since their time as wolves in the wild. Today’s dogs may be different, but some inherent traits still remain that we see today.
Dogs enjoy spending time with their people and ensuring others also know that you are their person. They show their love by bearing near us, lying on our feet, and being part of our lives.
Dogs certainly have found ways to engage us and become a very important part of our lives. Visit the PetStruggles homepage for more expert advice and information.
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