Dog Presenting Butt

by Cindy
(Texas)

My 3 month old Maltese/Shih Tzu has learned how to shake "hands". However, in the last few days he has started turning his butt to me when I put my hand down to shake. He will bump his butt on my hand and then turn around and shake.

Why does he do this?

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Answer From the Editors at Dog-Spoiling





Thank you for your question Cindy,

The most obvious reason for this behavior is that his rear feels itchy and he trying to get you to give him a scratch in that general area. Most likely it isn't his butt, but in a place he can't reach himself - above the tail or rear legs. But if he is actually experiencing irritation around the anus, that could be an indication of impacted anal sacks, or even worms.

There is another behavior similar to what you describe used by herding dogs to keep their flock together - often referred to as "bumping", but it's not so much the rear end they are using as it is their rear flanks to nudge wayward animals to go in a certain direction.

But since your dog is not a herding breed, he's probably not trying to control you . It's more likely he is presenting his rear end in a playfully assertive way because he likes you.

Although this doesn't apply to your dog, I think it might be helpful to other dog owners to know that a female dog in heat, will turn her butt toward a male dog as a mating invitation!

One last thought, does your dog see you as his pack leader? In light of your dog's young age, it might be helpful for you to read our page about being the dog pack leader just to be sure he isn't moving toward more assertive behavior.