My dog jumps and puts paws on my chest. Is it aggression or affection?

Question

Hi, my sister got a 2 yo golden retriever/terrier mix that was abused and abandoned. She is very comfortable with me, always asks for belly rubs and lies on my legs. she tends to jump up and place her paws on our belly / chest when she sees us, and yesterday while I was sitting down and petting her she placed her paw on my chest quite forcefully. You can feel her claws very sharp when she does that, so it does hurt. Is this healthy behavior or a sign of aggression? Thanks! Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed | Female | spayed

Makenzie Kurth, DVM · Accepted Answer

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! In most cases this is a sign of excitement or affection- especially if this has been acceptable behavior so far. However, even signs of happiness can hurt a little when given by such a large dog and I recommend teaching her not to jump up. (This is especially important if there are children or elderly people in the house who may be easily knocked over by her enthusiasm). Best wishes to you and Charlie!

My dog jumps and puts paws on my chest. Is it aggression or affection?

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