Just like we do, dogs love all the comforts of home. When you decide to get up from your comfy chair to grab a drink or stretch your legs, you might notice that your dog likes to hop up on your spot. When this happens, it is not usually a sign of dominance, but rather the fact that your dog likes your scent and the warmth of the area in which you have been sitting. In other words, it’s the perfect place for them to curl up and take a nap!
Besides that, another reason why your dog might take your spot when you get up is that they want to steal the “alpha” spot. This ties in closely with the instinctive behavior of dogs, as they each have a natural pack mentality that is based greatly upon hierarchy. So, with that being said, when you get out of your seat, this might be the reason why your dog takes your spot. If that doesn’t sound right, then another theory as to why dogs like to steal their owner’s spot when they get out of it is purely down to the fact that they like the reaction they get when their owners come back and notice them sitting in their seat! If you make a fuss and playfully tickle your dog each time they steal your spot, your dog might simply love the attention you give.
Lastly, another reason why your dog might steal your spot when you get up is that they are suffering from separation anxiety. As we’re sure you already know, dogs become very attached to their owners and can sometimes find it very distressing to be apart from them, especially if you have a dog-gate that separates them from you. For this reason, your dog might jump up into your spot so that they can smell your scent, which could help to alleviate their distress and soothe him.