After raising a dog for many years, I realized that the dog rubs against you, but it is actually telling you these 8 things

 7:51am, 4 June 2025

Everyone who raises dogs knows that dogs rubbing against people is a common behavior, so what does dogs rubbing against you mean? In fact, dogs rubbing against people is a social behavior, and they express their emotions and intentions through rubbing. In the dog world, rubbing people is not only a manifestation of closeness, but also a means to convey certain important information to the owner. Let’s discuss the 8 meanings of dog rubbing against people.

1. Express welcome

When you go home, the dog rubs you with you may express your welcome. This is a way to express love and intimacy, and it is also a way for dogs to express their love for you. When you go home, dogs will feel excited and expectant, and they will express their joy in this way.

2. Seek attention

If your dog is rubbing you while playing or eating, it may be that they are seeking your attention. They may feel lonely or bored and require your company and interaction. At this time, you can put down what you have in your hands, play with them or interact with them to meet their needs.

3. Expressing trust

Dog rubbing people is also a way to express trust. When you become an important person in their lives, dogs will gradually develop trust and depend on you. They will feel at ease and comfort when you get close, so they will use rubbing you to express trust and closeness in you.

4. Seek comfort

If your dog feels scared, anxious or uneasy, they may use rubbing people to seek comfort. At this time, you can gently stroke their hair or head, giving them comfort and encouragement. In this way, you can help them relieve their emotions and strengthen their self-confidence.

5. Express friendship

When friendship is established between dogs or between dogs and humans, they will use rubbing people to express friendship and closeness. This is a friendly way of greeting and a way for dogs to recognize and confirm their identities. When you build friendships with your dog, they will use this method to express their kindness and friendship to you.

6. Express gratitude

If your dog is very loyal and dependent on you, they may use rubbing others to express gratitude. When they get food, water and care, they express their gratitude and joy in this way. At this time, you can give them more attention and caress to give back their loyalty and gratitude.

7. Express admitting mistakes

If your dog apologizes to you after making a mistake, they may use rubbing people to express their attitude towards admitting mistakes. When they realize their mistakes, they feel guilty and uneasy, and at this time they seek your forgiveness in this way. When you see this, you can give them some tolerance and understanding to help them grow and progress better.

8. Indicates physical discomfort

If your dog uses rubbing to express physical discomfort, you need to pay special attention to their health. Dogs have very rich body language. By rubbing and licking people, they can understand their health status and emotional changes. If your dog is rubbing you frequently or exhibits other abnormal behaviors, you need to take them to the veterinarian for examination and treatment.

Dog rubbing people is a very complex social behavior. It is not only a way to express closeness and friendship, but also a means to convey certain important information to the owner. By observing and understanding dogs’ rubbing behavior, we can better understand their emotions and needs, and thus better take care of their lives and health.