Why Does My Dog Keep Sitting In My Seat?

We all know the saying, “move your feet, loose your seat”, in fact, nobody knows it better than our canine companions.

Many of us dog owners have experienced a little furry friend keeping our seat warm from time to time. You’re sitting on the sofa, you get up to do something and a couple of seconds later, your dog jumps right in.

It no doubt brings plenty of giggles, but it also has you wondering “why does my dog keep sitting in my seat?”

There are different reasons for this behaviour, which we’ll explore in this article. Ultimately, your seat represents security and safety to your dog, so they’re probably just looking for a bit of extra comfort to feel supported.

This behaviour also stems from the pack mentality of their wolf ancestors. The safety and support of the den was important, sometimes even a matter of life and death. They would do everything they could to protect their den and the rest of the pack.

So “why does my dog keep stealing my seat?” Let’s dive into a couple of the most common reasons.

It’s a Sign Of Affection

This reason is super sweet, but for most dogs it’s just a sign of affection.

They want your seat because it represents warmth, security, support and comfort. That’s not forgetting that it’s absolutely packed with your scent which is really familiar to them.

When you provide your dog with food and a safe, loving home, your dog will place all of their loyalty and trust with you and your scent.

They instinctively know that anything with your scent on is going to keep them safe and protected. This is also the same reason dogs want to be on our bed, on our lap and anywhere else that we inhabit and spend most of our time.

When we look back to the Wolf ancestors, they used to sit in each others spot to protect the territory as well. So it could also be that they’re just sitting in your spot to play ‘watch guard’ until you come back. You probably notice that if you’re in your seat, your dog is probably in another space you use regularly like the bed!

Want to know how to show your affection back to your canine companion? Read this lovey dovey article.

Anxiety or Stress

Another reason could be due to anxiety or stress they may be feeling. Dogs who sit high up, may want to avoid certain situations. Perhaps there’s a puppy in the house who might be winding up your older dog? Having an elevated place to sit offer protection for dogs that really would rather be left alone.

When they’re stressed or anxious, your dog may choose your seat to be closer to you. You are your dog’s everything, and you provide protection and love like no other. Some people may mistake this as dominance. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth.

How to Handle the Behaviour

If you don’t want your dog on the sofa, then positive reinforcement with treats and praise is key. There’s also plenty of tutorials and videos online that can help you to manage and train this behaviour. It may be worth making sure they have a nice comfortable bed, or crate, which gives them an alternative space to go to when teaching them ‘off’.

It may be beneficial to get a behaviourist or trainer to work their magic while teaching you techniques to manage the problem. However, it’s probably a good idea to get to understand the reasons behind the behaviour before-hand. Is there another dog or puppy in the house? Are there other children in the house?

You’ll also need to make sure, this training is consistent with all family members in the household.

Why Does My Dog Keep Sitting In My Seat?

Do you ask this question regularly? Did this article help? We would love to hear your experiences and thoughts about your seat stealing pooch in the comments below.

Once you’re done stealing and warming seats, there’s no doubt you’ll want to head on an adventure. Head over to Dog Furiendly to explore with your pooch.