My 2 year old Biewer did this the very first day I brought her home. I was sitting in the chair, and she put her front feet up on my leg and growled. I froze! Lol, then I thought I would have been warned if she was vicious (I hope), so I said "What???? You growling at me?" And I reached down and picked her up and sat her on my lap.... that's all she wanted. I think some pups are just more vocal about things... now my 15 year old has picked it up and he growls at me too!
And yes with the pawing too... they either want to play or to be held....