Why does my dog like to climb on my shoulders and go to sleep?

Sheer disrespect

Don't write it off as being cuddly or affectionate. A dog climbing up on to your shoulders or on to the back of the sofa is showing a complete lack of respect for your dominance.

Whenever he dog climbs up, put it immeditely on to the floor and make it stay there, do not let it back up. Yes she may sit on your lap, but only if you invite her up, do not let her just jump up of her own accord.

The same applies if you are doing something on the floor, for example playing with a child. The dog must not be up on the sofa, or anywhere higher than you are.

Dog training classes will ehlp you establish your dominance.

As greekman suggests:

'There is a dominance issue there'

Your dog is reaching adult hood and will try anything possible to upgrade her/his self from 9 months onwards and continuously through out their lives.

Standing high above the pack leader(you) is saying that she is the queen bee and you must stop this now.

Dogs try this by standing on shoulders,chair arms or backs, beds- anything taller than you.

Push her down onto the floor. Jacks have a tendency to become snappy and growl with their dominance so nip this in the bud now.

Her place is on the floor unless you say she can sit on your lap. She must not go on beds.

She must be fed after you and walk through doors after you.

We have a whippet female who tries the ranks from time to time like this.

It's a warm spot around your neck, she might hear your pulse easier, your scent is strong around your neck which is comforting.

Many young dogs like to sleep in a "nest" where they have something solid on one side or along their back. Not only is your neck/shoulders area comforting it is solid and a spot where you can readily protect her and her protect you if any evil baddies were to try to get you guys.

I think it's because dogs (especially small dogs) liked to be nestled in places to feel safe.

Dogs couldn't feel safer than being high up and resting BEHIND their protector/owner!

Some might also say it's a dominance thing...

I have a JRT that likes to sleep on my shoulders. She also likes to just sit on my shoulders and stare out the window. I'm not sure why she does either. I sometimes think she does it because it makes her feel bigger than she really is.

This is your dog showing that she is being dominant over you, stop it at once and dont allow it, as it may get worse and she may start nipping, biting and growling etc, be firm, it may look and sound cute, but it isnt.

Because she is developing dominance issues and they are starting to show. She is not being sweet and she is not "loving" you, she is trying to show you what she thinks of you. Alpha dogs always sleep in a better, more comfortable place then other pack members, sometimes even at the discomfort of them, that is what your dog is doing.

Hope I helped!!!

Because she loves you faithfully….

If you were able to crawl onto the shoulder of the person you loved most in the world, and sleep, wouldn’t you?

She just wants to be close to you! She's most comfortable that way. She loves you and trusts you enough that you are going to keep holding her and not drop her, so she falls asleep!! My dog does that all the time too! *Morgan*

Probably just to be near you, she loves you. My pup does that, his body isn't actually on my shoulder, but he sleeps with his head on my shoulder. I think it's sweet.