Owning a dog is an incredible experience; however, not everybody is comfortable having one around. Naturally, dogs are considered man’s best friend for many reasons, making them the most domesticated animals in history. Dogs are protective, loyal, and they can save lives too. Dogs have their love language and how they express their emotions and feelings, one of them being burying their head into a person.
You might be wondering, why does my dog bury her head into me? Common reasons include Stress, sleep, empathy, fear, comfort, anxious or cold weather. Your dog could also do this when in a frisky mood or to spread its odor. In some incidents, it could be an amalgamation of some of the reasons above.
While it may look adorable to see your dog bury her head into you, she may be trying to pass a serious message to you. It is essential that you give her attention. What emotions is she trying to express? Is it fear, sleep, or just bonding with you? Should you be concerned?
In this article, we take a closer look at these behaviors and emotions that dogs express by burying their head into you.
Is Head Burying A Bad Thing?
No, of course not. First, you need to understand that, just like human beings, dogs too have feelings and emotions. These emotions can sometimes be expressed most unusually. When you adopt a dog, it comes as a package with lots of licking, nuzzling, and kisses, which is not a bad thing anyway. This is just how these little buddies show affection.
Why Does My Dog Bury Her Head Into Me?
As aforementioned, there are several reasons for this, both positive and negative. Sometimes it can be challenging to understand our dogs. However, as responsible dog owners, we need to be receptive to their traits and behaviors. In most cases, when this happens, she could be showing you affection or sometimes alert you of danger.
Here are some reasons why your dog could be burying her head in you:
Marking Her Territory
Talking of dogs “marking their territory” does not only mean urinating on the claimed spot. Remember, dogs carry a unique odor on their faces. So, burying her head into you leaves her scent on you, sending a message to other dogs that you are part of another pack. This is being protective.
Showing Affection
While some dogs waggle their tail and jump around their owner, others tend to bury their heads calmly in their owners. So, burying her head in you could simply be showing affection or seeking attention. We all know that dogs love attention.
Empathy
It is believed that dogs do understand and can tune into human emotions. If they sense a sad feeling around, they might feel sad as well. They tune into their masters’ mood. This will be portrayed by burying their head in you in most cases.
Fear
Burying her head in you might also mean she is afraid of something, and she is seeking safety. This could be probably when in an unfamiliar environment, around other animals, or when there is thunder.
Comfort
It’s no doubt that any dog feels more comfortable around its master. Burying her head in you could mean she is looking for comfort. This makes her feel safer.
Anxious
Some dogs tend to develop anxiety whenever they are left alone. Some get scared when they sense you are about to leave. This is at times referred to as separation anxiety. Your dog wanting to bury her head into you could mean this. If the symptoms are extreme, you can always consult a professional dog trainer.
Why Does My Dog Bury His Head When He Sleeps?
Dogs sleep in very odd positions; some can be comical. Whether sleeping on the side, curled up, sprawled out on the tummy, or with head buried, you may have questioned if these sleeping positions have anything to do with your dog’s personality.
Naturally, dogs are empathetic animals. A possible reason why your dog buries his head when he sleeps is due to an emotional response. If a dog is reproved, it hides its face from embarrassment. If you notice your dog burying his face excessively, it’s high time you take action.
Should You Stop Your Dog Burying Their Head In You?
No. It would be best to allow your dog to express their emotions as they wish. Some people may find this behavior uncomfortable and annoying, while most people enjoy and tend to reciprocate by scratching the dog’s head or back.
However, if you are comfortable with the head burying behavior, you need to train your dog on when, where, and how head burying should be done. Otherwise, it may turn into an uncomfortable and overwhelming experience.
How to Stop Your Dog from Burying His Head in You
While most dog owners may be comfortable with their dogs showing physical affection towards them, we can all agree that not all times are appropriate for this. Sometimes you could be working, watching a movie, or paying attention to something significant that needs you to focus. You should know how to stop your little buddy from interrupting in such moments.
Teaching them a new behavior is much easier for dogs than re-shaping an old one. Unlearning an old behavior can be very tricky. Furthermore, there are moments when you’ll want to cuddle your dog. So how do you stop your dog from burying his head in you? Get a command word(s) with some threats that will get him to stop doing it. Pick a short phrase that is easy for your dog to comprehend.
When training your dog for this, get him to bury his head in you. Give him a little attention, then say your command word while making action using your hands. You may have to do this repeatedly for him to grasp. If you are patient enough and work conscientiously with him, this should work since dogs learn quickly. With time you’ll be saying your command word and have him give you space by unburying his head in you.
Conclusion
As a dog owner, you’ll have to bond with your dog well for you to understand behaviors and traits, such as burying their heads. You shouldn’t be excessively concerned, though, since it could be for a positive reason, especially if your dog wiggles its tail and appears overjoyed to see you. Conversely, if the contrary is true and your dog shows signs of anxiety, fear, hurt or cold, it is wise to give it attention and find out the source of such reactions.