Dogs usually paw at you as a way to communicate something, and the meaning depends a lot on context and body language.

What your dog might be “saying”

  • “Hey, pay attention to me.” Pawing is often an attention-seeking behavior, especially if you’re on your phone, laptop, or watching TV and your dog has learned that a paw makes you look at them.
  • Affection and bonding. Many dogs gently rest a paw on you while you’re petting them or sitting together; it can be their version of holding hands and staying connected.
  • “Don’t stop petting!” If your dog paws you right after you stop scratching them, they’re likely asking you to continue because they find it soothing or rewarding.
  • Requesting something specific. Pawing can mean “I’m hungry,” “I want to play,” or “I need to go outside,” especially if it happens around mealtimes, near the door, or next to a toy.
  • Stress or anxiety. During thunderstorms, fireworks, loud noises, or when they sense you leaving, pawing can be a way of seeking comfort and reassurance from you.
  • Habit from training. If you’ve rewarded “shake/paw” a lot with treats or attention, your dog may offer their paw constantly because they’ve learned it often pays off.
  • Discomfort or pain. In some cases, dogs paw to draw attention to themselves when they’re hurting or feeling unwell, especially if you also see limping, whining, or changes in appetite or energy.

Quick context check

Ask yourself:

  1. When does the pawing happen (while relaxing, before walks, during storms)?
  1. What is their body language (relaxed vs. tense, tail neutral vs. low, ears soft vs. pinned back)?
  1. Does the pawing stop if you calmly ignore it and reward calm behavior instead?

If the pawing is sudden, intense, or comes with other worrying signs (limping, yelping, hiding, changes in eating or bathroom habits), it’s safest to check in with a vet to rule out medical issues.

Simple ways to respond

  • Give attention or playtime when your dog is calm, not when they’re pawing, so you don’t accidentally reinforce constant pawing.
  • Teach an alternate behavior like “sit” or “down,” then reward that instead of the pawing.
  • During anxious moments (thunder, fireworks), offer comfort with calm petting, a safe space, and maybe a favorite toy or chew.

If you tell me when and how your dog is pawing (e.g., “always in the evening when I sit on the couch,” or “only during storms”), I can help you narrow down the most likely reason and what to do next.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.