If you own a Great Pyrenees, you are probably wondering why they like to sit on you. This behavior can be triggered in a number of ways and could be a cause for concern.
Great Pyrenees may sit on you for many reasons, including the need to cuddle you, seeking attention, wanting to cheer you up, feeling stressed, wanting to dominate you, spreading their scent, or due to separation anxiety.
We are going to talk about seven reasons why your Great Pyrenees loves to sit on you, along with providing tips on how to deal with this behavior.
7 Reasons Why Your Great Pyrenees Sit on You?
There are seven main reasons your Great Pyrenees will sit on you:
They Want to Cuddle You:
One reason your Great Pyrenees may sit on you is that they want to cuddle with you. Cuddling is an excellent way for dogs to show their affection toward their owners.
If your dog sits on you and wraps its paws around you or just puts them on your shoulder, it’s a clear sign that they want to cuddle with you. It’s a good idea to let them do this, as it will make them feel happy and loved.
This breed is known for being extremely affectionate and loving, so it makes sense that they would want to be close to their favorite human. If you’re looking for some snuggle time, invite your pup up onto the couch or your bed for a good cuddle session.
They Are Feeling Stressed.
Another reason your Great Pyrenees may sit on you is that they are feeling stressed. When dogs feel stressed, they often look for a way to release that stress. Sitting on their owner is one way that they can do this. If your dog is sitting on you and panting heavily, it’s likely that he or she is feeling stressed.
This is usually caused as a result of changes in their routine or environment. If you think your dog is stressed, it’s essential to talk to your veterinarian about it so they can help you find a way to relieve their stress.
When a dog jumps up on you, it’s often an indication that they are feeling stressed or anxious for Great Pyrenees, who are bred as working dogs and used to guarding livestock; sitting on their humans may be a way of trying to calm and comfort themselves.
Like human beings, stress can have a terrible effect on the mental and physical health of dogs.
They Are Seeking Some Attention:
Dogs often sit on their owners in an attempt to get some attention. If your dog is sitting on you and looking at you with a pleading expression, they are likely trying to get your attention.
Dogs love it when their owners pay attention to them, so if you have the time, be sure to give them some love and attention. It will make them very happy.
If they’ve been spending a lot of time alone, they might start to become restless and look for ways to get your attention.
What better way than by jumping up onto your lap or sitting beside you. It’s their way of saying, “Hey, I’m here! Pay attention to me!”
They Are Trying to Dominate You:
One reason your Great Pyrenees may be sitting on you is that they are trying to assert their dominance over you. This is evident if the dog is constantly trying to sit on top of you or push you around.
If this is happening, it is critical to nip this behavior in the bud and show your dog whose boss!
While this is not a major reason why your Great Pyrenees sits on you, it is a possibility. If your dog is sitting on you in an attempt to dominate you, it’s essential to put a stop to it right away.
This behavior should never be tolerated, as it can lead to other problems down the road. If the dog is trying to dominate you, it’s essential to establish yourself as the pack leader and show them who is in charge in order to curb this behavior.
They Sense You Are Sad and Want to Cheer You Up:
When you are down, your dog may try to sit on you as a way of cheering you up. They want to protect you: If your dog sees someone or something approaching that they perceive as a threat, it may try to position itself between you and the perceived threat in order to protect you.
Dogs are very intuitive and can often sense when their owners are sad or upset. If your dog sits on you and seems to be trying to cheer you up, it’s likely that they can sense that you’re not feeling your best.
Dogs will often try to make their owners happy by doing things like sitting on them or giving them a hug. It’s a sign of their unconditional love for you.
They Want to Spread Their Scent:
Dogs have a natural instinct to spread their scent. When they sit on you, they are essentially claiming you as their own. This is their special way of marking their territory and telling other dogs that you belong to them.
While it may seem weird to us, it’s perfectly normal behavior for dogs.
It’s nothing to be alarmed about. This behavior is often seen in dogs who are very protective of their owners. This is especially true if you have a female dog. They are claiming you as their own and marking their territory by sitting on you.
It is their unique way of saying, “This is mine.”
RELATED – The Ultimate Great Pyrenees Guide – All Questions Answered!
They Have Separation Anxiety:
Dogs can feel separation anxiety when their owners leave them alone. For the Great Pyrenees, this can result in them sitting on their owner as a way to comfort themselves.
It could also be a great sign that they want you to stay with them and not leave.
The most common reason why your Great Pyrenees sits on you is that they have separation anxiety. Dogs suffering from separation anxiety often become clingy when their owners are around.
They will often follow their owners around and sit on them in an attempt to keep them close. If you believe your dog may have separation anxiety, talk to your veterinarian about it so they can help you find a resolution.
How to Stop Your Great Pyrenees from Sitting on You?
If you notice the Great Pyrenees sit on other people without warning, there are a number of options available.
First, try to ignore the behavior. If you give your dog attention when they sit on you, they will likely continue doing it because they know it gets them what they want. It may be difficult, but try to stay calm and avoid reacting to your dog.
Second, you can try to redirect their attention by asking them to sit or lie down. This will help them focus on something else and take their mind off of sitting on you.
While you will need to be patient with this process, they will eventually learn that sitting on you is not an option.
Third, if the behavior continues, you can try using positive reinforcement to stop it. This means rewarding your dog when they do something you want them to do instead of sitting on you.
For example, if your dog sits beside you instead of on top of you, give them a treat or pet them. This will help them learn that sitting in the appropriate place gets them rewards.
