7 Adorably Funny Things Dogs Do That Mean ‘Pet Me’

Dogs possess an innate ability to read our emotions, offering us comfort in times of grief and sharing in our joys. Naturally, we want to pay it forward, especially when it comes to bids for affection. However, being a true dog behavior expert requires some work, since dogs communicate in unique ways through body language, gestures and cues that are different from people. To help you know some signs that your dog wants attention, we compiled a list of 7 adorably funny things dogs do that mean “Please pet me!” These dog signals and behaviors are some of the most common ways pups ask for love in everyday life.

The good news? Learning about your dog’s behaviors can help you understand your pet’s needs better and the ways dogs “talk,” which can be tricky to catch sometimes. “There’s something ridiculously sweet about the way dogs ask for scratches and cuddles,” says Kris Hampton, CTC, CPDT-KA, the founder and head trainer at Raintown Dog Training. “It’s not always loud or obvious. It’s often the tiniest little thing they do that basically translates to, ‘Excuse me, hi, I would love a head scratch, please.’”

Once you start to recognize that your dog wants you to pet them, your bond with your furry family member will grow stronger than ever. You’ll begin to see that these gestures are not just cute—they’re how dogs show love, trust and affection toward their favorite humans. So, get ready to decode your pup’s personality, because understanding their funny little behaviors, like how a dog asks to be pet, is the key to a happier, more connected relationship.

7 Funny Dog Behaviors That Mean ‘Pet Me’

A dog communicating that it wants to be pet.

1. The “let’s chill” body language

Since dogs don’t speak human, they rely on body language and dog behavior cues to communicate, including when they’d like you to pet them. “You will notice that your dog displays a relaxed body posture, including having soft and relaxed eyes—no whites of the eyes visible and an open and relaxed mouth,” says Dr. Julie Hunt, DVM, a veterinarian contributor for Embrace Pet Insurance. “Your dog will also typically be gazing at you and have eye contact. These signs demonstrate that your dog is relaxed and trusting, and their gaze suggests that they want to interact with you.”

Additionally, Dr. Hunt recommends that pet parents look at their dog’s tail as well. “A dog will likely have a loose, relaxed and gently wagging tail,” Dr. Hunt says. “Their tail also indicates that they are a happy dog and they want to interact with you.”

2. The nose nudge

If a dog owner doesn’t pick up on a dog’s more subtle body language, they might take it up a notch and nudge them so it’s more clear when they want to be pet. “A dog may begin to whine and nudge your hand as a sign they want affection,” Dr. Hunt says. “This is also an excellent sign that the dog is demanding your attention and love.”

Kenny says this nudge often comes courtesy of your pup’s cold, wet nose. “It can be soft or a bit forceful and directed to any place within your dog’s reach, though it’s typically your hand or arm,” Kenny notes. “Dogs quickly learn that this works because it’s just too cute to ignore.”

3. The paw tap

One reason why dogs paw at you, is because they are asking for affection in that moment. It just goes to show that the “nose nudge” isn’t the only “poke” dogs use when they’re craving physical touch. While it’s a funny dog behavior, it’s also super cute.

“A soft paw placed on your knee or hand can act as a nudge for pets, though typically a persistent one,” Kenny notes. “It’s typically a learned behavior that often starts because petting follows the gesture, so they repeat it to get the same positive response.”

Indeed, of all the funny little things dogs do that mean, “please pet me,” this one is Hampton’s favorite. “That single paw on your knee, hand or laptop keyboard feels almost human,” Hampton shares. “Some dogs are polite about it. Others escalate into full-on slapping if you don’t respond fast enough.”

4. The wiggle

Want to know what this funny dog behavior means? Hampton describes this form of dog communication as the most cheerful of all signs that your dog wants you to pet them.

“A full-body wag is a joy to witness,” Hampton gushes. “Their tail and the hips waggling around like cooked spaghetti.”

5. The hand-kiss

This sign that your dog wants attention is really sweet. Gabriela Cobos, the general manager at Woofie’s of Montclair, often saw it with nervous dogs during her time as a veterinary technician.

“After I passed the sniff test by letting the smell my arms and legs, they’d sniff and give my hands kisses,” Cobos says. “They’d also start to push into my hands to pet their heads. I kept an eye on their body language, especially for the first few pets, to make sure their tail kept wagging [and] booty kept wiggling, and there were no signs of discomfort.”

6. The backwards sit

One more dog cues for love and attention that you might misunderstand is when your pups sits with their back toward you. Dogs truly have a ton of goofy ways of letting you know they’d like pets, but this one may take the cake.

“Some dogs will do a little turn in front of you to angle themselves facing away in a sit,” Kenny notes. “Their back may even end up pressed against your legs. This likely looks a bit silly, but it’s a great way for a dog to get pets in a spot that makes them comfortable.” Don’t be surprised if they also end up on your lap, too!

7. The lean

Why dogs lean on you? It’s simple, it’s a way they communicate that they want affection. Just think of it as their ways of saying, “Please pet me!”

“The lean is a slow, gradual shift of weight until they’re pressed right up against you,” Hampton explains. “It’s a behavior that says, ‘don’t move, I’m comfortable.’ This is called ‘contact comfort’ behavior. Dogs squish into people they feel safe with, and what a compliment that is.”

Kenny says some people may misunderstand this sweet guester though. “Many people may confuse this to be an act of dominance, even though the ‘alpha’ theory has been scientifically disproven many times,” Kenny clarifies. “It’s simply a sign of trust and a way for dogs to clearly communicate their desires.”

Take the W (and cuddles).

How to Tell If a Dog Wants to Be Pet

Experts say equally important as recognizing the adorably funny behaviors dogs do that mean “please pet me” is knowing when your pup is signaling, “hands off.” Understanding these dog body language cues and signs your dog doesn’t want attention is essential for safe, respectful interaction. One helpful tool is the dog consent test, which can teach you your dog’s unique preferences, comfort levels, and boundaries around petting and physical touch.

“Contrary to a very popular belief, most dogs don’t actually enjoy physical touch 100% of the time,” points out Shannon Kenny, CPDT-KA, a professional dog trainer with Woofz, a puppy and dog training app. “Just like with humans, there are moments that don’t make sense for physical affection. Understanding signs that your dog wants affection, like being pet and when they don’t is a vital part of building trust.”

To perform a consent test on a dog to see if they don’t want to be pet or if they do want to be pet, Dr. Hunt suggests:

Pet a dog briefly. Dr. Hunt recommends petting a dog on their side, along their back or on their chest. She notes dogs generally accept touch in these areas.
Stop and look. Dr. Hunt then advises people to stop petting a dog and wait a few seconds.
Listen. Let a dog decide whether you should continue to pet them by paying attention to their cues. “If the dog seeks out more petting by nudging you, leaning in or asking for more pets, then you continue,” Dr. Hunt shares. “If the dog looks or moves away, or shows signs of stress—lip licking, yawning or picking up a forelimb—then you should stop petting them because it suggests that they are not enjoying it.”

Remember, the key is to make pets a bonding experience for you and your furry friend by letting it happen on your dog’s terms.

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This story was originally reported by Parade Pets on Nov 18, 2025, where it first appeared in the Dogs section. Add Parade Pets as a Preferred Source by clicking here.