Leaning

[Soapie&Buddy'sMom]

Originally posted by JFred
Sometimes it's difficult for me to understand that some of the behaviors that seem benign to me are considered to possibly be a dominance issue.

me too! that is one reason I'm always learning something new on this site.
I don't think Buddy's leaning against my mother was anything more than affection, but it doesn't hurt to know that it could be something else and to keep my senses alert.

[German Vanegas]

Originally posted by Soapie&Buddy'sMom
I don't think Buddy's leaning against my mother was anything more than affection, but it doesn't hurt to know that it could be something else and to keep my senses alert.

Absolutely. That's the idea ;)

[ajaxsdad]

I choose to believe that when Ajax leans he is attempting to bond with myself and the rest of the family. If dominance is a concern, try leaning back

[RottiMomCT]

My Ben, while sitting at your feet for affection will lean into whomever is petting him, and does one heck of a lazy sit...

However, while we are training, he will sit straight and square...never once have I seen a lazy sit from him while training. My mother in laws big oaf rarely sits square, and will lean into you with all 130 lbs of him....most of us are used to and deal with it, but when he does it to me, I walk away...he is a dominant dog, and will grumble at you if you don't pet him while he does it....not a good thing for a dog his size to do, but, he obeys his basic commands (most of the time) and he's not my dog, so, I can't do anything else with him.

Anyways...back to the original post. YES, I believe that leaning can be a sign of dominance, when the dogs behavior (and possibly lack of training from the owner...) is not corrected when it is deemed in-appropriate. If Ben sits incorrectly for a treat, no treat is given, and he knows we've got 'em! He usually will straighten himself out...as he knows how to sit correctly, but when he comes to us and just sits in front of us (usually with his back to us) asking to be petted, its a lazy sit, and thats OK. If he's not sitting, he doesn't get petted (part of his training as a Therapy Dog we're doing).

:)