What does it mean when a dog pushes you?

When your dog puts a paw on you, it is most often a sign of communication, and it doesn’t always mean the same thing. Dogs use body language to mean, ‘I have a need, such as ‘I need to go outside,’ or ‘I am hungry—it’s time for my dinner.' Making coat-to-skin contact is a natural behavior for dogs. The canine touch also serves as a way to initiate communication. Your dog quickly learns that handing you their paw receives a positive reaction. By giving you their paw, oftentimes, they just want a pet. They’re asking for something, such as food, attention, or comfort, and if owners don’t know why their dog is pawing them excessively, giving a tasty treat is an easy and quick fix. A puppy who wants to go outside for a potty break or playtime may try engaging you with pawing. Some dogs are needier and crave your touch, so they’ll do it repeatedly. A paw on you may also mean that your dog feels worried. Dogs are highly perceptive creatures, and many can sense when their owners are feeling sad, lonely, or disappointed, and if you’re feeling any of these emotions, they may try to cheer you up by pawing at your hands or feet to give you extra love.

When a dog gets what they want by acting pushy they end up taking the lead in the relationship. Most dogs who act demanding and pushy are not being “dominant” over you. They act that way because they learned to act that way. They have learned the easiest and fastest way to get things from you is to be pushy and demanding. Its that simple. Your dog nudges you, paws at you, barks at you or jumps on you in an effort to get your attention. Your dog drops a toy in your lap for you play with them. Your dog barks at you to feed them. Dogs don't lead because they are dominant, dogs lead because they are spoiled.