When Your German Shepherd Thinks He's A Lapdog

The size of your dog doesn't always matter when he wants to sit on your lap. It's easier for you to enjoy a small lap dog as you sit together on the couch, but big dogs often crave the same type attention for similar reasons. This German Shepherd is so cheeky and he jumps straight onto his owner’s lap! Unfortunately for her though, he is not a little puppy anymore! However, that doesn't stop him from jumping up in his owner’s lap and just sitting there like he is a little puppy, while the human is getting crushed underneath him. A big OUCH! Big dogs seem to think they are still little puppies and want to sit in their human’s lap even when they grow up, without finding anything unusual about that. He just cannot realize that he is heavy! Finding the reason behind this behavior helps owners better understand whether they need to take action to change the behavior of their dog, and whether it is fine to cuddle. Your pup becomes part of your family and you are part of his pack. Getting higher than your feet allows him to interact more closely with you, he gets more petting and loving than when he's on the floor alone. When he jumps on your lap and you pet him, you reinforce the behavior and teach him that if he feels the need for some petting, all he needs to do is settle down on your lap. When this becomes a habit for your dog it is hard to break it!