why do dogs stretch when they see you

Dogs stretch when they see you mainly as a form of greeting and to show affection and comfort. This stretching, often called the "greeting stretch," involves the dog lowering their front legs and chest to the ground while raising their rear end. It signals that the dog is relaxed, happy, and sometimes anticipating play or activity. Dogs may also stretch to loosen tight muscles if they were resting before your arrival. Additionally, dogs can learn to stretch as a response because it gets positive attention from their owners. Sometimes dogs stretch to communicate or signal submission, or simply to relieve physical discomfort if any. Overall, the behavior is a warm, positive way dogs connect with their human family members when they see them.