Why Does My Puppy Sit On My Older Dogs Head?

Bringing a new puppy into the home is usually a great experience, but wait until they start exhibiting some very hilarious behaviors. However, some behaviors can be very confusing or even concerning.

One such behavior is when your puppy sits on your older dog’s head. It is natural to wonder why your puppy is doing this and what might mean for their relationship. In this article, we will explore the reason why your puppy loves sitting on your older dog’s head.

And also provides you with ways to ensure that both furry companions can live in harmony. Stick around.

Why Do Puppies Sit On Other Dogs’ Heads?

Puppies sitting on older dogs’ heads are common; however, it can also be perplexing. The following are the reasons why your puppy prefers to sit on your older dog’s head;

1. Mimicking Their Mother’s Behavior

Puppies usually sit on their mothers’ heads to encourage them to regurgitate food or breast milk for them. When they find themselves in a new environment, instinctively, they may try to portray this behavior to older housemates.

2. Seeking Comfort

It is common for puppies to feel more at home when they are in the company of other pets, such as cats, and, mostly, other dogs. So consider the fact that sitting on your older dog’s head may be for comfort and feeling secure.

3. Playfulness

Puppies love to play and fool around, which is mostly how they learn and explore their environment. Their playful nature is very likely why your new puppy doesn’t hesitate to sit on your older dog’s head.

4. Establishing Dominance

In some cases, even though it is quite rare, some puppies may begin to sit on your older dog’s head to assert dominance.

This is a very common behavior among puppies that have not been properly socialized to respect hierarchy. It is essential to supervise the puppy’s behavior closely to prevent he doesn’t become aggressive or malicious towards the older dog.

How To Tell If Your Older Dog Is Angry About This Behavior

This behavior will likely get on your older dog’s nerves, but some older dogs don’t seem to mind about a puppy sitting on their head. It is just bet to monitor your older dogs’ demeanor to avoid any one of them from getting hurt;

1. Watch out for your older dog’s body language. If the older dog is wagging its tail and seems relaxed, he enjoys the gesture, but when he holds its tail stiff and low with its ears back, he is annoyed.
2. The vocalization also matters. If your dog is making warm and inviting sounds or a playful bark, then it is enjoying the attention; however, you can tell your older dog is about to lose with the puppy if it starts growling and snarling in a low tone.
3. Make sure to take note of your older dog’s facial expression. A sign that your dog is happy is if its face is relaxed and its mouth open in excitement; however, a pissed-off dog will have squinted eyes and will open its mouth in a way that its teeth or fangs are on display.
4. Pay attention to how the older dog reacts to physical contact with the puppy. If he or she moves away from the puppy or growls, it is definitely angry, but when they initiate the contact, your older doggo doesn’t mind and even loves it.

How To Curtail This Behavior

While it is very normal for puppies to play and seek attention by sitting on older dogs’ heads, you might still want to keep this behavior in check, especially if your dog is beginning to get pissed off.

1. Monitor your puppy’s behavior around your older dog.
2. You should also train your dog to respect boundaries and distract them with toys and games.
3. You can separate the two parties and keep your older dog in an area your puppy won’t access.
4. Properly socialize your puppy so it can understand social hierarchy well.

Conclusion

While this behavior may seem harmless, it may hurt the relationship between your furry companions.

This is why it is best to keep a close eye on your older dog’s countenance towards behavior, so you can tell if your dog is mad or happy about it.