Why does a dog cover its face with its paws?

When a dog puts its paws on its face, you immediately want to take a picture of it and post it on Instagram. But, although the dog looks very cute, why does he do it?

Why does a dog cover its face with its paws?

Pets use a lot of body language to communicate, and using paws is another way to communicate how they feel. iHeartDogs highlights four of the most common reasons why dogs cover their faces with their paws.

Scratching an itchy spot

At first glance, it may seem that the dog is hiding, but most likely, he is trying to scratch or rub the itchy place. Animals use their front paws for more than just relieving itching on the face or eyes. They sometimes wipe dirt around their eyes with their paws or try to get rid of substances that have stuck to the coat and cause them discomfort. 

As cute as it may seem to use the dog’s paws as hands, but if he does this too often, you need to check his face and eyes for redness, discharge or other signs of infection or irritation. Constant scratching can be a sign that your dog is in pain, so check with your veterinarian.

Expression of fear or anxiety

Sometimes a dog covers its muzzle with its paw from stress or fear. Although she realizes that her paws are too small to hide from the source of fear, she communicates that she is upset. 

If the pet hides its face, you need to check if something is bothering her. You need to try to eliminate the source of fear and assure her that she is safe. If your dog exhibits this behavior frequently, it may be a sign of an anxiety disorder, so you should consult with your veterinarian.

Demonstration of submission

Another reason why a dog covers its nose or muzzle is a show of respect for the leader of his pack. Paws on the face can indicate that the dog is trusting and makes it clear that he is not a threat. If the pet covers its muzzle for this very reason, it may also roll over on its back to show the belly.

Desire to please the owner

Although dogs do not have the concept of attractiveness in the sense that a person puts into this word, they are very receptive and see when the owners like what they are doing. Because pets often seek to please their owners, they may repeat activities that they think amuse them.

In other words, when a dog covers its face, it may just be trying to make its owner smile.

The dog covers its nose with its paws. Should she be allowed to do this?

According to the resource Wag!, covering the muzzle with paws is not considered a negative behavior, so there is no reason to discourage it. But if it’s caused by pain, itching, anxiety, or fear, you need to find the source of the problem and fix it.

Primarily covering the muzzle with paws in dogs is a form of communication. Owners should pay attention to what the pet is trying to say. 

In general, when you see paws on the face, you first need to make sure that everything is in order with the dog. And then – turn on the camera to capture a cute face.