What does it mean when a dog covers your face?

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If your dog has been putting its face on your face a lot, you might be wondering why and what you can do about it. This post will show you a number of possible reasons why your dog has been doing it and what you can do to get it to stop.

So, why does my dog put its face on my face? Possible reasons why your dog puts its face on your face are that it is trying to get attention from you, it is being affectionate, it wants something from you, boredom, spreading its scent or you might have encouraged the behavior by rewarding it.

Since there are a number of possible causes, it would help to consider what would make each of them more likely. Once you have a good idea of the cause, it should become easier to get it to stop.

Why your dog puts its face on your face

Each of the different reasons why your dog has been doing it will likely come with some clues. Below are a number of possible causes and what would make them more likely to be the main reason.

To get attention

The reason why it does it could be that it is looking for attention. This would be more likely if you tend to give it extra attention or things such as belly rubs when it does it.

If you want to get it to stop it would help to give it attention throughout the day but to avoid rewarding it with attention when it tries to put its face on yours. It would also help to try to recognize when it is likely to try to do it and to redirect its focus onto something else.

It’s being affectionate

It could just be the case that it is being affectionate. This would be more likely if it wants to sleep when it does it and if it does not try to get you to do anything or to give it anything.

Dominant behavior

Many people jump to the conclusion that their dogs do it because they are trying to be dominant. However, the alpha/beta dynamic has been disproven in studies showing that wolves take turns in taking the lead.

With that being said, it could be doing it due to bullying behavior which would be more likely if it tries to get you to move and if it shows signs of aggression when doing it. In this case, it would help to avoid giving it reasons to feel threatened and to get it to learn to behave the way you want it to with training programs such as NLIF (“Nothing in Life is Free) dog training.

It wants something from you

The cause could be that it is trying to get something from you. This would be more likely if it tends to do it more when you are eating or at around the same time that you would normally give it something such as food.

Encouraging the behavior

It might also be the case that you have inadvertently encouraged the behavior by rewarding it. This would be more likely if you tend to give it things such as toys, treats or extra attention when it puts its face on yours. Instead, it would help to reward it when it behaves the way you want and to try to redirect its focus when it is about to put its face on yours.

Boredom

The cause could be that it is bored and wants exercise. This would be more likely if it tends to do it more before getting exercise and it stops doing it after getting exercise. If it is healthy, it would help to ensure that your dog is able to get the daily amount of recommended exercise for its age and breed.

Spreading its scent

It could be that your dog is trying to spread its scent onto you so that other dogs can smell it. This is its way of saying that you belong to it so that other dogs will steer clear of you.

To prevent this you’ll need to spend time training it to sit and lay down in certain places. Then you can discourage it from sitting on your chest by telling it to sit or lay somewhere else.

Anxiety

The cause could be that it has some anxiety and it puts its face on you because it makes it feel safer. This would be more likely if it tends to do it more in situations where it might feel anxious.

If it normally does it at around the same time that you leave home, it would make it more likely that it does it because it has some separation anxiety. This would be more likely if it shows signs of being anxious when you are leaving.

Things to consider

Below are a number of things to consider when figuring out the main reason why your dog does it.

What else happened when your dog first started putting its face on your face

If your dog did not always put its face on yours, it would help to consider what else happened when it first started doing it since it might be the case that there was an event that caused it to start.

Some things that might have happened could include:

• You rewarded it one time when it did it
• You started leaving it alone for longer
• It started getting less exercise

What is different when it does it

It would also help to consider if there is a certain time that it tends to do it more and what is different when it tends to do it. For example, if it normally does it at around the same time that it normally gets exercise, it would be more likely to be because it is trying to get you to give it exercise.

What to do about your dog putting its face on your face

Below are a number of possible reasons why your dog has been doing it and what you can do about it.

Avoid encouraging it

As mentioned above, it might be the case that your dog has learned that it gets rewards for putting its face on your face.

Instead, it would help to reward it when it is behaving the way you want it to and to try to redirect its focus when it seems likely to put its face on your face.

Positive reinforcement training

One option would be to train your dog not to put its face on your face by teaching it to stay on the floor when you’re sat down.

You can do this by getting it to sit or to lay down when it tries to put its face on your chest and then gradually teaching it to stay there over longer and longer time periods.

You can do this by applying the same techniques as in the video below:

Give it exercise

It would also help to give it the recommended amount of exercise for its age and breed so that it is less likely to do things to stimulate itself.

Reduce reasons why it might be anxious

If it seems like it has been doing it due to being anxious, it would help to take measures to reduce why it might be anxious. Things to do could include making sure that it gets a chance to pee, eat and get exercise before leaving it.

Give it attention throughout the day

It would also help to give it attention throughout the day in the form of exercise, training and by playing with it. By doing so you should help to reduce the amount of attention it feels the need to get from you.

Why does my dog lay on my face?

Your dog might lay on your face for any of the reasons mentioned above.

However, likely causes are that your dog is trying to be protective or that your dog is being jealous. It would be more likely that your dog is being protective or jealous if your dog tends to do it more when other animals are around.

Otherwise, it would be likely that your dog has been doing it because it makes your dog feel safer or because your dog has learned that the behavior is rewarded.

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Dogs seem to have many adorable habits, like covering up their faces with paws. This cute move looks like theyre playing peek-a-boo; but what are they doing?

Are they embarrassed, tired, or stressed? Like many doggy mannerisms, this move is another insight into their thoughts and feelings.

They may make this look for a variety of reasons, so lets get into what they are.

So, Why Does My Dog Cover Her Face With Her Paws?

If your dog is covering her face with her paws and isnt whining, here is what shes trying to tell you.

Shes Got An Itchy Face

Youve probably had a random tickle on your face from your hair grazing your cheek, a bug landing on you, or just out of nowhere.

Well, dogs can experience a similar sensation and will use their paws to wipe or scratch their faces or eyes.

Some pups have excessive tearing, and that eye gunk can build up, causing some mild irritation. Most under-eye goop isnt severe, though some types of discharge may cause blindness.

Contact your vet if your dog continues to rub her eyes, especially if she has a green or yellow-colored discharge, bloodshot eyes, or dilated pupils.

Of course, your pup may just have something stuck in her fur that shes trying to get out. 

Your Pup Is Feeling Anxious or Afraid

When something scares us, its a gut reaction to reach for our faces and sometimes cover our eyes with our hands.

Like us, dogs may shield their eyes when something scares them or makes them anxious.

Much like a child hiding under a blanket to disappear from the monster in the closet, your pup could be trying to cover her eyes.

Your dog isnt exactly hiding, and its just her own response to an intense emotion. If a lightning storm or something is stressing her out, do what you can to comfort her.

All dogs experience anxious feelings; however, it can become an issue for some.

If your dog is acting anxious in other ways, in addition to hiding her eyes, it may be time to take a trip to the vet to discuss it.

Other signs of dog anxiety include:

Boston Terrier looks scared in a red blanket.

Shes Showing Submission

When your dog covers her face with her paws, she may be exhibiting submissive behavior. Pups will show deference to the alpha of their pack, aka you.

If your dog makes this move, she may be showing you that she feels safe with you and trusts you with her life. She may also be signaling that she doesnt want you to feel threatened.

Submissive behavior is a sign of respect and affection. Your pup sees you as the dominant member in your relationship, which is a good thing.

In addition to covering her face, she may also roll on her back, exposing the belly. The stomach is a vulnerable area, so showing it to you is a big sign of trust.

Other submissive behaviors include:

Its important to note that submissive dogs will still defend their pack or families but also recognize they arent the alpha.

Because You Find It Adorable

Dogs love to make their owners happy and will continue to show certain behaviors to get a smile on your face or to hear you say, Aw! 

Research shows that dogs are manipulative and have evolved to move their facial muscles to communicate with humans.

Perhaps your dog had an itch on her face and covered her face with her paws for the first time. You saw this, immediately exclaiming, Aw, youre so cute! and giving her an ear scratch.

From that, she learned that youll give her lots of love, attention, and affection when she does this little trick.

Although dogs dont understand cuteness and dont understand how adorable they are, theyre very perceptive.

So, if your dog covers her face a lot, she may simply be trying to make you happy and get rewarded for it.

An Emotional Response

Similar to how dogs cover their faces when worried or anxious, they may hide behind their paws out of embarrassment.

On the other hand, she may be trying to elicit a positive response. As previously mentioned, she knows how to turn on the charm and may be trying to make up for her mistake.

As a Protective Position During Sleep

When your dog covers her face while sleeping, she may be protecting her eyes and throat. Sleeping is a vulnerable activity, which could cause internal instincts to kick in.

If your dog routinely sleeps like this, it may be to rest feeling safer and more comfortable. Your dog may also sleep by covering her eyes during a storm or noisy night out of fear.

Should You Discourage a Dog From Hiding Their Face?

If your dog isnt exhibiting any other problematic behaviors, then there should be no reason to discourage her adorable face-hiding habit.

However, its crucial to identify the reason behind why your dog is covering her face. If shes constantly itching or acting up, it could signify something more serious.

Most of the time, however, dogs hide their face as a way to communicate with their dog parents.

What if My Dog Rubs Her Face and Whines?

If you notice that your dog often whimpers or whines while covering her face, this may mean something is irritating her.

Your dog may also rub her face against a couch or carpet to scratch the itch if something is causing her discomfort.

Here are some reasons your dog may be rubbing her face and whimpering:

Allergies

If your dog has allergies from medication or a reaction to something that touched her face, she may try to rub her face.

In addition to rubbing, you may notice some facial swelling. 

Fleas or Mites

Fleas and mites are irritating little bugs that sometimes make their home on a dogs face. She may scratch it with her front paws or hind legs.

Mites and fleas can also cause some swelling in their face.

Blepharitis

Blepharitis is a condition that causes inflammation to your dogs eyes, specifically the eyelid and outer skin.

This irritation will cause your dog to paw at her eyes repeatedly. If you notice any eye inflammation, schedule an appointment with your vet.

Insect or Animal Bite

If your dog sniffed through the grass and got a bee sting, for example, she will likely experience burning, itching, and facial swelling.

Take your dog to the vet if you suspect an insect infestation or bite.

Dental Infection

If your dog has an infected tooth or gums, she may have some facial swelling on the side of her face.

Your dog may keep rubbing it to relieve the pain and discomfort.

Contact your veterinarian immediately if you suspect your dog has a tooth abscess or another infection.

Final Thoughts

Dogs have some adorable mannerisms, including covering their little faces with their paws.

If you notice this habit and wonder, Why does my dog cover her face with her paws? there are a few reasons.

Your dog may be feeling anxious, scratching an itch, showing submission, or simply doing it to make you smile.

However, if your dog has any signs of inflammation, swelling, or other abnormalities on her face, contact your vet to rule out something more serious.