Dogs have always been man’s best friend and they’ve been loyal companions for centuries.
But there are times when dogs can become too much of a good thing.
Sometimes, it can happen when two humans fall in love.
In the past, people often chose to get married or take up a new relationship with someone who was a little bit older than them.
This meant that their previous partners would eventually leave them.
However, this wasn’t always the case.
In some instances, it was the other way around – a woman would marry her husband’s younger brother.
Some cultures even believed that having a child by your stepfather was beneficial because he’d provide you with financial security.
This is where things begin to get interesting and we’re going to look at one of the most bizarre examples of human-dog relationships out there.
If you’re reading this, then chances are that you don’t have a dog sitting on your head.
You may think that it’s just an amusing story, but let’s take a closer look at what really happened.
It all started in 1871 in Germany when Johann Schmiedecke got involved with his neighbor’s daughter.
He was only 21 years old at the time, while she was 17.
They fell in love and got married, but unfortunately, the young bride died after giving birth to three children.
The tragic death of the wife led to several complications for the father-in-law.
As you can imagine, he became very depressed and lost touch with reality.
When the eldest son died suddenly, he began to blame himself for the tragedy.
He thought that he had somehow caused the family’s downfall.
To make matters worse, the middle son was now running the family business and the youngest son was a priest.
All of this left him feeling guilty, so he decided to do something about it.
He went to visit the priest and told him that he wanted to confess.
The priest didn’t think that this was such a great idea and refused.
So, the next day, the man visited the priest again and confessed everything.
This time, he begged the priest to help him find a solution.
The priest agreed to meet with the man later that afternoon.
When the priest arrived, he found the man sitting outside the church on the steps of the building.
He sat down beside him and listened intently.
Then, the man looked into the eyes of the priest and said “I’m sorry.”
The priest asked if he understood what he’d done wrong.
The man replied “Yes, I understand”.
The priest then asked him how he intended to fix the problem.
The man said “I’m going to kill myself.”
“What?” exclaimed the priest. “You’re not serious!”
But the man said “Yes, I am. I’ll go and drown myself in the river.”
“No! That’s not a good idea,” the priest continued.
“Why don’t you try and talk to your sons first?
Tell them what you’ve done and ask for forgiveness?”
“But they hate me!” the man responded.
“They won’t listen to me.”
At this point, the priest stood up and walked away from the man.
He called over a passing doctor and asked him to check on the man.
The doctor examined him and said “He’s perfectly fine. He needs to rest.”
The priest then took the man back inside the church and spoke to him further.
The man explained that he felt like he was being punished for marrying the girl and leaving his wife.
He went on to say that he knew that he was a bad person and that he deserved to die.
The priest tried to convince him to live instead, but the man wouldn’t budge.
After a while, he realized that the man wasn’t going to stop talking and that he needed to end this conversation quickly.
So, he asked the man to write a letter to his sons.
He also asked him to deliver the letter personally.
After delivering the letter to the priests’ house, the man left the town and never returned.
There were no reports of him ever being seen again.
A year later, the priest received a letter from his son.
It read “Dear Father, We forgive you for the terrible mistake that you made. Please come home soon.”
The priest opened the letter and read it aloud to the congregation.
He went on to explain that the reason for his son’s forgiveness was because he’d found a new girlfriend and that she was pregnant.
The priest concluded his speech by saying “We must learn to forgive each other and move forward with our lives. Thank you for listening.”
After the service, the priest approached the man and offered him his hand.
The man shook his hand and smiled.
Then, he turned around and walked away without looking back.
Over the following months, the priest met with many more people who’d gone through similar situations.
Eventually, he came across another man who had committed suicide.
He discovered that this man had written a letter to his daughter in which he apologized for his actions.
The priest contacted the daughter and invited her to attend the funeral of her father.
At the funeral, the priest read the letter aloud and it was revealed that the man hadn’t killed himself but rather had taken his own life due to the fact that he’d fallen in love with a woman who was much younger than he was.
The priest later traveled to Australia and conducted a series of speeches about the importance of forgiveness.
He went on to establish a foundation named ‘Forgiveness International’.
Today, the charity continues to operate and has helped thousands of people who’ve suffered from depression and other mental health problems.
So, did the man really commit suicide or was he lying?
Was it even true that he actually wrote the letter to his children?
And what happened to the woman that he loved?
Well, we’ll need to wait until the next page to find out.
The History of Dogs Sitting on Heads
There are a few possible reasons why your dog might sit on your head.
- It could be a sign of affection, as your dog may see you as a leader figure. Or it could be a way for your dog to assert dominance over you.
- Finally, it could simply be that your dog enjoys the physical closeness.
In this article we will look at some of the history behind dogs sitting on heads and what they mean to us today.
The Evolution of Dogs Sitting on Heads
Dogs have been living with humans for thousands of years.
In fact, dogs in many parts of the world were domesticated between 15,000 and 40,000 years ago.
Cavemen and Cavewomen
The first domestication of dogs was likely by cavemen who lived around 10,000 BC.
The earliest dogs were probably small, shaggy creatures that hunted small game like rabbits or rodents.
By 4,000 BC, humans began keeping larger dogs such as wolves or mastiffs.
These dogs were more protective than their predecessors, and they also had longer snouts which allowed them to sniff out prey from farther away.
Wolves and Humans
Around 2,000 BC, dogs started becoming more loyal to humans.
They began following people around and protecting them from predators.
This led to the development of hunting dogs.
Dog Breeds
Over time, humans bred certain dogs to become better hunters.
For example, greyhounds were developed to run faster.
Greyhounds, however, were not good at catching other types of animals.
Therefore, hunters would use them to chase down wild boar or deer.
Domestication of Dogs
In the 1500s, man-made breeds were created to keep dogs from roaming free and attacking livestock.
These dogs included collies, German shepherds, and Great Danes.
However, these breeds still needed a lot of work to make them useful.
So, they were often kept as pets rather than working animals.
The Psychology of Dogs Sitting on Heads
Dogs sitting on heads is one of those things that are so out there and yet still so common in our culture.
We all know dogs can be affectionate and loving animals, but sometimes they do some strange things.
If you have ever had your dog sit on your head or even just lay down on top of you, then you know exactly how weird this behavior is.
However, there are some interesting psychological reasons why dogs sit on heads.
Let’s look at these reasons in more detail.
1. The Evolutionary Advantage of Your Dog Laying Down on You
The first reason your dog sits on your head is because of evolution.
This is an example of something called the “grooming hypothesis,” which says that animals will behave in certain ways if they feel like their survival is under threat.
In other words, if a predator is chasing them, they’ll act differently than if they don’t think they’re in danger.
So, if your dog is feeling threatened, he may sit on your head to protect himself from harm.
In fact, this is how your dog may also play with his food bowl.
If he thinks you’re not looking, he may start playing around with his food bowl and make it spill all over you.
Similarly, a dog who feels threatened by a stranger may start growling and barking at the stranger, while a dog who doesn’t feel threatened may ignore the stranger completely.
2. Showing Affection
Another reason your dog may sit on your head is that she wants to show you her love.
She may want to give you a kiss or rub her face against yours, or she may just want to be close to you.
As we saw earlier, many dogs enjoy being groomed, especially during their bath time.
They love to get wet and slobbered on by their owner.
Therefore, dogs often sit on their owners’ heads when they want to be petted.
3. Dominance
Finally, your dog may be trying to assert dominance over you.
While most dogs respect their owners and are happy to follow commands such as “sit” and “stay,” some dogs aren’t always willing to obey without a fight.
These dogs may try to dominate you by sitting on your head, or they may even bite you.
So, if you find yourself in a situation where your dog is challenging you, you should probably move away and let him decide what he wants to do.
The Benefits of Dogs Sitting on Heads
There are several benefits to having dogs sitting on heads.
Here are some of them.
- Aids in Weight Loss — Dogs have been known to help people lose weight by eating less and moving more. This is especially true with overweight dogs who tend to sit on their owners’ heads. The owner’s weight will naturally come off because they’re not carrying around extra pounds. Overweight dogs also tend to be happier since they’ll get plenty of exercise walking around on a leash and playing with other dogs.
- Aids in Exercise — Some dogs enjoy being walked on a leash so much that they like nothing better than taking long walks around town. If your dog does this regularly, he’ll benefit from getting lots of exercise and won’t need to take any pills or supplements to keep him healthy.
- Helps Reduce Stress — Many dogs love to spend time cuddling up next to their owners, and if your dog likes to sit on your head, then it means that you can give him lots of snuggles without worrying about falling over.
- Increases Communication — If your dog sits on your head all day, then you’ll be able to communicate with him through body language. He’ll understand what you want and when he should do certain things. For instance, if he wants to go outside, you just have to stand up and he’ll follow right behind you.
- Improves Blood Circulation — When your dog sits on your head, his blood circulation improves, which leads to healthier skin and hair and increased energy levels.
- Reduces Pain & Inflammation — Situations such as arthritis or severe headaches often cause pain and inflammation. When your dog sits on your head, the pressure created helps reduce both pain and inflammation.
- Makes You Smarter — Your dog’s ability to read your facial expressions and body language is improved when he spends most of his days sitting on your head. He’ll learn how to tell when you’re happy or sad, contented or angry.
- Boosts Your Confidence — Having a dog that loves to hang out on your head can make you feel very special. Not only that, but it gives you the chance to show off your best qualities and abilities. Everyone knows that dogs are smarter than cats, so if you have a dog that sits on your head, you’re bound to boost your confidence in yourself!
- Helps You Relax — If you’re stressed out, you probably don’t have much energy, and you’re probably feeling tired all the time. But if you have a dog that sits on your head, you’ll find that you have more energy throughout the day and even at night. Your dog will help you relax and sleep better because he’ll be giving you the comfort that you need.
- Decreases Anxiety — If you’re afraid of something, chances are that you’ll worry about it constantly. And if you’re worried about everything, you’ll start to feel anxious all the time. Having a dog that sits on your head will give you an escape route from these feelings of anxiety. As soon as you walk away from your dog, you’ll forget about whatever was stressing you out in the first place.
- Prevents Memory Problems — If you have dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, then you’ll know exactly how hard it is to remember things. Having a dog that sits on your head will improve your memory because, instead of trying to remember where you put something, you’ll just look at your dog.
- Prevents Snoring — Snoring is caused by breathing through the mouth while sleeping. A dog sitting on your head will prevent you from doing this because he’ll keep your nose closed.
- Relieves Depression — Depression is one of the most common mental health problems that many people face today. Having a dog that sits on your head will reduce your depression because the mere presence of your dog can make you smile and laugh. The fact that your dog is there will remind you of the good times that you’ve had together.
- Saves Lives — Dogs have helped save lives before, and they continue to do so every single day. In fact, dogs have saved more lives than any other animal.
- Increases Happiness — Just knowing that your dog is always close by makes you feel good. He’ll be there for you whenever you need him, and you’ll be there for him too.
The drawbacks of Dogs Sitting on Heads
There are several reasons why your dog might choose to sit on your head.
It could be an act of affection or dominance, but there is also another possibility.
Your dog could be trying to keep up with you in a race.
Your dog has been running alongside you and wants to stay close so that you don’t leave him behind.
This can happen in a variety of situations, like when you’re running through a park or taking a walk around the block.
In these instances, your dog will want to run at your pace, rather than being left behind by you.
If this is happening, then your dog is probably not sitting on your head because he’s looking for attention from you.
Instead, your dog may actually be trying to keep up with you.
If this is the case, then there is no need for concern and you should just let your dog run alongside you.
However, if you think that your dog is only doing this because he wants to be closer to you, then he may have other intentions.
To understand what those intentions are, we need to look at the benefits that come from dogs sitting on heads.
The Future of Dogs Sitting on Heads
Why Does My Dog Sit On My Head?
There are a few possible reasons why your dog might sit on your head.
It could be a sign of affection, as your dog may see you as a leader figure.
Alternatively, it could be a way for your dog to assert dominance over you.
Finally, it could simply be that your dog enjoys the physical closeness.
If you have a dog who likes to sit on your head, but you’re not sure why, here’s what we think the reason is…
1. Your Dog Likes You
This is probably the most obvious answer.
If your dog wants to sit on your head, then they like you.
They want to make you happy and comfortable in any way they can.
Of course, if you’re lucky enough to have a dog who just loves to sit on your head, then this isn’t going to be an issue at all.
However, many dogs will only do this when they feel like they need to or want to.
For example, my dog, Ollie, has never been known to sit on my head unless he needs to.
If I’m sitting down with him, he’ll happily lie next to me and watch TV.
If I go to bed, however, he’ll jump up and start sniffing around my face, trying to find out where I’ve gone to sleep…and then sit on my head!
2. Your Dog Needs Attention
Another common reason for your dog to sit on your head is because they need attention.
This could be because they’re bored, tired, or hungry.
Again, if you have a dog who sits on your head without any sort of provocation, then this shouldn’t be a problem.
In fact, I’d say that this is more likely than any other reason, especially if your dog is well-trained.
However, if you have a dog who likes to sit on your head whenever they get the chance, then this is a very real possibility.
If this happens regularly, and it’s causing problems between you and your partner, then you should take action.
Dogs who sit on their owners’ heads often mean that something is wrong.
If there’s nothing wrong, then your dog just likes to sit on your head.
3. Your Dog Is Asserting Dominance Over You
Sometimes, even the most well-behaved dog can behave badly when they’re feeling uncomfortable.
If they’re feeling ignored or scared, then they may try to push their way into the limelight by doing things like sitting on your head.
Dogs who like to sit on people’s heads usually do so because they’re trying to assert dominance over them.
Often, this is done through force rather than actual aggression.
In some cases, this behavior can cause serious issues.
For example, if your dog starts biting you every time they sit on your head, then you’ll need to consider whether this behavior is appropriate.
Even if they don’t bite, though, you may still need to talk to your vet about how best to manage this behavior.
4. Your Dog Just Wants Physical Contact
Finally, it’s also worth considering whether your dog just wants to be close to you.
Perhaps they want to cuddle up to you or play with you.
Physical contact makes for a happier relationship between pet and owner.
As long as your dog isn’t being aggressive, then this is fine.
If they are being aggressive, then you should speak to your vet again.
As with all things canine, there is no one definitive answer to this question.
Conclusion
As I’ve mentioned in previous articles, dogs can express themselves in many different ways.
The fact that your dog sits on your head doesn’t necessarily mean anything sinister.
It’s important to remember that every dog has its own personality and quirks.
There are certain breeds who tend to do certain things more often than others.
Perhaps your dog will eventually move onto other things, but at least you now know what they like!
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