Leaning

[Jarose]

Does it mean anything when your dog leans against certain people? Nina who is now 14 months old did this to my Dad the other day. He was standing and she sat and leaned against him. I never saw her do this to anyone before. I was just curious if this is good, bad or nothing.:)

[AngelBunny]

Jarose:

The famous Rottie lean! It's usually not a problem & is a sign of affection.

[Soapie&Buddy'sMom]

Yes!!! The first time I saw it was when Buddy, my rottie-mix did it to my mother. He fell in love with my mom and followed her around. He then did the "lean" whenever she was sitting down.
I was so amazed that I took several pictures of my mom sitting at the dining room table and Buddy doing the "lean". My mom also fell in love with Buddy so she is sitting at the table with a big smile while Buddy is leaning against her with a 100% serious, baleful look.
None of my other dogs (chow-terrier mix, yellow lab) ever do the "lean".

[mccoy]

The famous "Rottie" lean is
something that comes with the
breed every one I have ever
owned has done this. I totally
agree with Buddy's Mom and
AngelBunny it's the Rotties way
of showing affection:D :D

[damp]

Leaning (or affection) can be a sign of subtle dominance!!!

Just REMEMBER: When you give some Rottweilers an inch, they will take a yard… or as we say: Give him a little finger and (may be...some day... literally) he takes the whole arm!

[German Vanegas]

Originally posted by damp
Leaning (or affection) can be a sign of subtle dominance!!!

Just REMEMBER: When you give some Rottweilers an inch, they will take a yard… or as we say: Give him a little finger and (may be...some day... literally) he takes the whole arm!

I concur. Depending upon the individual dog's character, temperament, and his owner's pack leadership skills, it could be interpreted as plain affection, OR, it could be a sign of dominance. So be aware, and let us know if your dog keeps doing it and with who. In any case, your dog should never be allowed to lean on children.

[WorkinDogz]

Not to mention; it's incorrect in obedience......

They're pretty able to sit square; so why not just condition them to do that (no matter if leaning is showing their affection or not) and ask for another way for them to display their love :)

[Jarose]

Well Nina really does like my Dad and when she did this we both
thought it was kind of sweet and endearing. So far she hasn't done this with anyone else and that is why I was wondering!:)

[mccoy]

In the years that I have owned
Rotties I have never seen "leaning"
as any form of aggression, although
my dogs are not trained by a professional in my personal experience
I don't see what it hurts as long as she
isn't showing any aggression.

I like some of people on the forum
don't feel the need to have my dog
trained professionally because they
are pets they obey basic commands
sit, stay, come, out and lots of
other commands. As far as saying her
dogs leaning is a sign of dominance
that is not true. It is what this
breed does to show affection it does
not mean a week from now this dog is
going to be eating limbs.

I agree with German about watching
her and not letting her lean on the
children, but one lean doesn't mean
aggression or that you have a dog
that is untrained. It took me awhile
to get mine to sit period muchless
square. I don't want to start a war
here all I'm saying is this is a way
alot of Rottweilers show affection.

[WorkinDogz]

You misunderstand mccoy.

Aggression and dominance are not necessarily inter-related.

A dominant dog doesn't necessarily show his dominace via aggression.

A non-lazy sit (which is square and not leaning to one side or the other) isn't just for competion dogs.

There is no war here; but there are other more positive ways for a dog to show affection that doesn't have "other" hidden meanings...or potential meanings.

It's not hard to teach a dog to sit square; it's a matter of rewarding correctness and conditioning the dog to what is correct.

[German Vanegas]

Leaning tendencies may ultimately allow a dog to develop dominant behavior, and with it: potential aggressive responses. However, not all dogs leaning on people are clearly demonstrating dominance. Like I said before: it all depends on the individual character and temperament of the given dog ;) :) Therefore, it's better to be safe than sorry, unless you know for sure that the dog is just showing affection and not dominance

[damp]

Jarose asked a question: “I was just curious if this is good, bad or nothing.”

If you re-read my post mccoy, you will see I answered: “Leaning CAN be”… and “ SOME Rottweilers”…

I have seen, that leaning (and other small signs of dominance) ended with the dog took the whole arm and broke it, when it threw a wellknown friend the floor, just because he one day was tired of the dog’s leaning and/or affection and pushed it away.

That is one example I know of, but not the only one.

[mccoy]

I am guilty of allowing my dog
to do this the " LEANING or the
LAZY-SiT" whatever you want to
call it maybe it's not the right
way and maybe I do need to work
with him over this but until now
I never thought of it as him being
dominant.

He does this alot. But he has not
once shown any aggression alot of
times the children if they are in
the house sitting in the floor I
have noticed him going up behind
them not really leaning against
them it's more like an attention
thing. One quick scratch on the
chest and he goes over to his bed.

I am just saying that it is a way
he has of getting attention.:D:D
He is just the type of dog that
wants affection 24/7, and I think
thats his way of getting it.

[Jarose]

Well I am by no means a professional, but if I had to give my interpretation based on what I know of Nina and how she is around my Dad I would definitely have to say she was being affectionate. She loves ALL people almost to a fault and has never shown any negative behavior around anyone. And although she IS a very high energy, "me-oriented", nose in everything type of dog who needs constant attention and training, she is a big sweety. I am curious to see if she will do this again and to whom. My Dad is quiet and gentle and kind and hasn't been feeling well lately. I thought maybe she sensed this and by leaning against him was sort of "protecting" him. That is how it appeared, and like I said was actually very endearing.

[JFred]

We have a "leaner" in our midst. She is really my husbands' buddy. She will lean until she slowly sinks to the floor and gets a tummy rub. I had heard or read that it can be a sign of dominance but in her it seems she wants affection and he's an easy mark. 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. Other than that she doesn't display any unusual behavior.

Bennie Sue