Your Pet and You

2026-03-29 - 00:35

If you’ve ever owned a dog, you’ll know that your dog generally wants to be wherever you are. A dog will follow you everywhere (yes, even to the bathroom), he may try to get on your lap despite his size, and some dogs will sit on your feet and lean against you. As dogs cannot tell us what they want in words, it’s up to us to interpret the message that our dog is attempting to convey when he leans on us. Like humans, dogs use touch to communicate. Dogs are social animals, and most enjoy physical contact with humans. That’s why they like being petted, and they push against us for more if we stop playing with them too soon. The main reason your dog leans against you is that he wants to be close to you. Leaning is thought to be the canine equivalent of showing affection by hugging. As pack animals, physical contact is also necessary for social bonding. Leaning is their way of acknowledging you as part of their “pack” and strengthens the bond between you and your dog. If you are closely bonded with your dog, he also looks to you for comfort and security, just as members of a wolf pack rely on the leader for protection. You may notice that your dog seeks your presence more and tries to be closer to you during times when he feels afraid or anxious, such as during a thunderstorm or a firework display. Leaning on you reassures him that he is safe. He may also be using this behaviour to ensure that you don’t move and leave him alone if he falls asleep. Steady pressure is comforting to some dogs, which is why a “thunder shirt” (or closely fitting t-shirt) helps keep some dogs calm during fireworks and storms. Alternatively, your dog may be the one taking on the role of protector, and he might be leaning on you to “watch your back”. You may have inadvertently reinforced your dog’s leaning by giving him attention when he does it. If every time your dog leans on you, you pet him, talk to him or give him belly rubs and treats, then, of course, the next time he wants attention or treats, he has learnt that an effective way to get them is to lean on you. Some dogs have learned to beg in this way. Finally, when the weather is cooler, some dogs may lean on their owners for warmth. Some sources claim that leaning is a sign of dominance in dogs. However, dominance is not a personality trait. Rather, it is a relationship between a pair of animals. It’s unlikely your dog leans on you to assert any kind of dominance. Leaning is a harmless behaviour in dogs. It is not considered a behaviour problem unless it really bothers you. If it annoys you when your dog leans on you, simply walk away when he does it. Giving the behaviour absolutely no attention does not reward it, and eventually he’ll stop doing it. However, you should consider yourself blessed if your dog loves and trusts you enough to want to be constantly leaning on you. Your dog’s leaning behaviour is a cause for concern if it is a sign that the dog is experiencing a medical condition affecting his balance. If you feel your dog is unsteady on his feet and leaning on you for physical support, it’s best to consult your vet. Copyright © Kristel-Marie Ramnath 2026