January 10, 2012
Posted in Common Pet Conditions, Pet Training

If you have spent a lot of time with dogs, you have probably met a dog that is particularly fond of leaning on you. As Bill Withers famously points out, we all need someone to lean on. However, certain dogs are more likely to lean than others.

Leaners may also tend to stand on your feet and hug your legs during a walk. If you sleep with your pooch, you may notice that it sleeps with as much of its body touching you as possible. Some owners may have been told that this means the dog is trying to dominate the human with its weight, or that it is poorly socialized, misbehaving or trying to push your buttons.

However, the truth is that these types of dogs are simply seeking affection, news source reports. Dogs love to cuddle, and if the object of their cuddling is always standing, the urge manifests itself by way of leaning. If the pooch can't cuddle with you or lean on you, it might instead sit on your feet, or lie next to you with its body pressed up against the side of your foot or leg. If your dog does this, it is essentially a sign that it adores you.

At the same time, if your dog prefers to sleep alone on its Heated Bolster Bed or sprawl out on its Orthopedic Dog Bed without you, this does not mean it doesn't love you. Dogs simply have different preferences and levels of independence. If you wish your pooch were more affectionate, you can always use a positive reinforcement method with treats like Greenies for dogs or PureBites. However, some dogs are simply more independent and prefer to bond with you over other activities like walks and trips to the woods.

Other dogs may be a little too clingy for their owner's liking. This can even be diagnosed as a type of separation anxiety disorder. Your vet may recommend that you use a calming aid like Comfort Zone for Dogs to help your dog feel more comfortable alone. Giving it homeopathic pet meds like Be Serene flower essences may also help. If the pooch has serious anxious symptoms, a vet may prescribe pet meds like Reconcile to treat separation anxiety.

Related posts:

1. What to do when your cat has separation anxiety