Either way, this is a sign that he needs you right now.
If your dog is pressing his head against you while you’re sleeping, he’s most likely tired and stressed.
He’s probably hoping that by pressing his head into you, you’ll wake up and provide him with some relief.
If your dog is pressing his head against you when you’re awake, he’s probably feeling anxious or nervous.
In this situation, he’s most likely feeling stressed out or worried.
He’s most likely thinking about anything that’s upsetting him.
He may be worrying about something at work or school, or maybe he’s experiencing separation anxiety or fear of strangers or loud noises.
Whatever the cause, it’s important to keep an eye on your dog and pay close attention to what’s going on around him.
4. He’s Sick
A final possible cause of your dog pressing his head against you is illness.
If your dog is constantly pressing his head against you, he may have a serious health issue.
If he’s constantly pressing his head against you, he may be sick.
He could be sick with a bacterial infection, such as strep throat or pneumonia.
Or he could be suffering from heartworm disease.
Or he could be suffering from a skin condition, such as mange or ringworm.
In these cases, your pet will need immediate medical treatment.
If you suspect that your dog is sick, it’s best to call your vet immediately.
Head Pressing as a Symptom
If your dog presses his head on you when you pet him, there are two possibilities.
First, he may be trying to get your attention and show you affection.
Second, he may be feeling anxious or stressed out and is seeking comfort from you.
If your dog only does this occasionally, it’s probably nothing to worry about.
But if your dog constantly presses his head on you, or if the behavior gets worse over time, then you should consult with your veterinarian.
Here are some signs that your dog may have a problem pressing his head on you, but keep in mind that these symptoms don’t always mean that your dog has an underlying medical condition.
Your dog will often press his head on you while he’s sleeping.
You notice that your dog seems to prefer resting his front legs on top of yours rather than sitting on their own.
Your dog will also try to lie down next to you instead of on his own bed.
He may even want to sleep in your lap.
Your dog might seem to enjoy being patted on the head by you.
Your dog may become aggressive toward other dogs who come near you while he’s pressed up against you.
Your dog may seem to seek your approval by pressing his head on you.
If your dog has any of these problems, contact your vet right away so that they can determine what’s causing your dog’s discomfort.
Causes of Head Pressing
The most common reason for dogs to do this is that they’re trying to get your attention and show you affection.
However, there are other causes too, including when a dog is anxious or stressed.
Reasons for Dogs to Do It
They want to be petted.
They want to be reassured.
They’re seeking reassurance.
They’re seeking comfort.
They’re confused.
They’re in pain.
They’re experiencing separation anxiety.
Other Possible Causes of Head Pushing
Dogs may also try to push their heads into people’s faces because they’re frustrated with being restrained by the leash.
This can happen when dogs have been recently rescued and need to learn how to walk on a leash without pulling.
Some dogs will also try to bite at their collars while they’re walking so they can be free to run off.
They’ll often try to bite at the collar and then pull away from it, which can cause them to turn around and try to press their head back into the person who has the leash.
If you see this happening, simply hold the leash down firmly until the dog stops biting at the collar.
Another possible cause of head pressing is if you’ve just picked up your dog off the ground after he got hurt and he doesn’t know what to do.
He’ll often press his head against you because that’s the closest thing he knows to how he used to be.
Diagnosing Head Pressing
Head pressing can be a sign of many things, including anxiety, separation issues, aggression, fear, boredom, or even a desire to play.
A simple rule of thumb for determining whether your dog is pressing his head against you in an attempt to comfort himself or express some sort of concern is to ask yourself the following questions:
Is there a particular circumstance where my dog has been known to press his head against me?
What is the context surrounding my dog’s head pressing behavior? Is he comfortable with other people? Does he do this around strangers?
Does my dog ever push his head up at me while I’m sleeping?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, then your dog may be exhibiting signs of head pressing.
It’s important to address head pressing immediately because it can lead to a number of serious health problems, including but not limited to, choking, seizures, and even brain damage.
It’s also important to note that even though a dog may be exhibiting signs of head pressing, it doesn’t necessarily mean that they have a medical condition.
In fact, most cases of head pressing are caused by behavioral concerns rather than physical ones.
For example, dogs who are scared of thunderstorms will sometimes press their heads against their owners for reassurance.
This is completely normal and should be dealt with as such.
Treating Head Pressing
If you think your dog has been pressing his head into you for no reason, there are several things you can try.
The first thing you should do is make sure your dog isn’t hurt.
You may be able to gently separate the two of you by putting your arm between them so they don’t keep pushing their heads together.
You’ll also want to take some time to calm down if you’re the one who’s being pressed.
It may help to have someone else hold your dog while you sit quietly with him.
Once you’ve both calmed down, it’s time to figure out what caused the behavior.
The following is an outline of the steps you should take in treating head-pressing behaviors.
Find out where the behavior is coming from.
Is your dog doing this when he’s calm?
When he’s excited?
Or when he’s angry?
Is your dog trying to communicate something to you?
He could be trying to tell you that he needs to go outside or that he wants to play.
Some dogs will even use body language to ask for food or water.
Other times, your dog might just be trying to get your attention.
In these cases, it would be best to ignore him until he gets bored and moves on to another activity.
If your dog is pressing his head into yours as part of a greeting, you can always give him a quick pat to let him know you understand how much he loves you.
This will usually stop the behavior right away because your dog won’t expect you to respond.
If your dog is only pressing his head into you when he’s upset or anxious, you can try giving him a massage using slow strokes.
Gently stroke his ears, neck, back and shoulders.
Rubbing your hands over his coat will also help him feel better.
Once you’ve figured out why your dog is pressing his head into you, you need to develop a plan of action.
Here are some suggestions:
Make sure you and your dog are both calm before attempting any of the above methods.
Try separating your dog from you and see if he stops pressing his head into you.
If he does, then you can proceed to the next step.
If your dog still presses his head into you after calming down, try rubbing his ears and neck with your hand.
Use very gentle strokes and move slowly.
Your goal here is to relax your dog and relieve whatever tension he’s feeling.
If your dog is still pressing his head into you even after calming down and rubbing his ears, try offering him a couple of treats.
Don’t give him more than a couple of treats at once.
Otherwise, he might start pressing his head into you again.
After he eats his treats, wait three minutes and then repeat the process.
If none of these methods work, you may need to consult with a veterinarian.
Prognosis for Head Pressing
If your dog presses his head against you, he may be in pain.
He could have an injury to his face or head, or it could be a sign of a medical condition such as arthritis or cancer.
You should take him to the vet right away if your dog presses his head against you excessively or suddenly.
Prevention of Head Pressing
If your dog only does this occasionally, it’s probably nothing to worry about.
But if he continues to do it on an ongoing basis, even after you’ve explained what’s happening, then there may be something going on in his mind.
It’s important to remember that dogs have emotions just like we do.
They’re highly intelligent, emotional beings who can feel anxiety, stress, loneliness, joy, love, anger, happiness, fear, excitement, and much more.
In fact, they’re so smart, they can learn complex tricks like playing fetch and being able to navigate around obstacles without any training at all!
So when your dog presses his head into you, it could be because he’s seeking human contact.
It could also mean that he’s feeling lonely or anxious.
Or maybe he’s just curious about you and wants to check out your face.
The bottom line here is that your dog has feelings too.
And he needs to know that you care about him and want to spend time with him.
By giving him a lot of attention, hugs, and other forms of affection, you’ll help him feel loved and secure in his world.
So how can you prevent your dog from pressing his head into you?
When to See the Vet
If your dog presses his head into you several times a day, or if he seems to be pressing his head into you for no reason at all, then there could be a problem.
Some dogs will do this out of habit when they meet new people and animals, but if your dog is doing it on purpose, then you should take him to see the vet right away.
He may have an earache, and if so, the vet can fix it quickly.
It’s also possible that he has a bite wound that needs to be examined by the vet.
Some dogs have allergies to certain types of plants, like poison ivy or ragweed, and if they lick their lips while smelling something around them, they could end up with a rash on their face.
The vet can fix these problems as well.
Another thing that the vet can help with is behavior problems.
A lot of dogs feel anxious or stressed, and some try to find ways to relieve those feelings.
They’ll often press their heads up against their owner’s legs or back.
This is called “comfort-seeking behavior,” and it means that your dog is looking for reassurance from you.
The vet can tell you how to handle this situation.
Sometimes, all it takes is a little patience and understanding on both sides.
Other times, the vet will recommend other techniques to make sure that your dog isn’t getting too much stress.
You can ask your vet whether any of these behaviors are signs of a physical health problem, such as a urinary tract infection or kidney disease.
Your vet can also advise you on how to deal with any other behavioral issues or anxiety your dog might be experiencing.
One last thing: your dog’s head pressing could be caused by boredom.
When dogs aren’t stimulated enough, they sometimes resort to self-stimulation in order to pass time.
They could be chewing on their own nails, scratching themselves, or rolling over and over in circles.
These habits don’t usually cause lasting damage, but they can be bothersome — especially if your dog is always rubbing his head against you.
Conclusion
If your dog presses his head into you frequently, especially when you’re holding him, then there’s something wrong with his behavior.
In some cases, you can treat this problem by putting on an extra layer of clothing.
It may help to get your dog used to being touched in certain places, like your arms or legs, before you try to touch his head.
You should also avoid touching your dog’s face, as it could be uncomfortable for him.
But if this behavior continues, it’s possible that your dog has a medical condition such as anxiety or separation anxiety.
In these cases, you’ll need to see a veterinarian who specializes in treating animals.
Hi, my name is Megan Turner and I have worked in a dog’s shelter for four years now. It is truly my dream job, and I see hundreds of dogs every month being united with new owners to give them a loving forever home.
Unfortunately, handicapped dogs are much more likely to be ignored when a family is picking out their new pet. Handicapped pets need more care than non-handicapped pets, so it is understandable why they are often harder to rehome.
