Backing up and leaning - what is this about?

[Rayebeka]

Hi,
My 8 month old female, Spud, (I didn't name her, lol), keeps backing up and just kind of sitting on feet, legs, my smaller dog and she tried with the cat too, but it didn't work. lol She even got in my husband's lap, turned around, backed up and sat on his head. It's not really a "sit" or a "squat" but more like a lean. lol If the person she's "leaning" on moves, she falls over. lol What is this all about? I'm thinking is a type of "staking her claim" thing, but I've never seen this before. Is she trying to be dominate or playing or what? I'm courious and confused! We got her when she was 5 1/2 weeks old, so I'm thinking, we are "the pack" and maybe it's a dog thing I don't understand. Now, everyone that comes over wants to know why she does this. lol
Any suggestion or info. will help me. Thanks.

[LavenderRott]

When my girl did it, it meant she wanted her butt scritched! We were usually happy to oblige.

[Rayebeka]

I guess that's what she wants and she gets it too! Thanks.

[Carol Burke]

Welcome to Rottweiler ownership. Leaning is their thing

[AZBRAT]

My female does the same thing! LOL. She will back up into you until her butt is barely touching you. It is almost like she just wants to make sure you are there or something. Sometimes she leans but most of the time she just touches you with her butt. It is so funny. If I back up or move then she backs up, too. It is mostly when I am standing but if you let her she will sit right in your lap.

[Cash]

I’ve heard it explained many ways:

It means ‘scratch my butt’
It means they are keeping tabs, albeit lazy, on where you are.
It means they are protecting you by putting themselves between you and any ‘harm’ that may come your way.
It means they are claiming you as ‘theirs’
It means they are insecure and need to know you are there.
It means they just want to be close to you.
It means they are being dominant.

And sometimes, like Carol said, it simply means they are being a Rottweiler.

[StephanieandToby]

CONGRATULATIONS!!!! You own a Rottweiler!

[Carol Burke]

[quote=Cash]I’ve heard it explained many ways:

It means ‘scratch my butt’
It means they are keeping tabs, albeit lazy, on where you are.
It means they are protecting you by putting themselves between you and any ‘harm’ that may come your way.
It means they are claiming you as ‘theirs’
It means they are insecure and need to know you are there.
It means they just want to be close to you.
It means they are being dominant.


Yes, a lot of meaning is read into everything a Rottweiler does and maybe some of it is true, but IMO, we read too much into all these little habits. If it is not distructive or scary leave it alone.

[Cash]

Originally Posted by Carol Burke

Yes, a lot of meaning is read into everything a Rottweiler does and maybe some of it is true, but IMO, we read too much into all these little habits. If it is not distructive or scary leave it alone.

I couldn't agree more.

[damp]

Originally Posted by Rayebeka

Hi,
My 8 month old female, Spud, (I didn't name her, lol), keeps backing up and just kind of sitting on feet, legs, my smaller dog and she tried with the cat too, but it didn't work. lol She even got in my husband's lap, turned around, backed up and sat on his head. It's not really a "sit" or a "squat" but more like a lean. lol If the person she's "leaning" on moves, she falls over. lol What is this all about? I'm thinking is a type of "staking her claim" thing, but I've never seen this before. Is she trying to be dominate or playing or what? I'm courious and confused! We got her when she was 5 1/2 weeks old, so I'm thinking, we are "the pack" and maybe it's a dog thing I don't understand. Now, everyone that comes over wants to know why she does this. lol
Any suggestion or info. will help me. Thanks.

No matter how cute we find this, I am convinced an 8 months old dog can sit “alone” and don’t need a helping leg to support it's not turning over and I don’t want to be turned over by a grown Rottweiler, nor to have it sitting on me or stepping my feet. Never!!! Dogs know very well where they put their teeth, paws and butts!