Why your dog leans on things
Below are a number of possible reasons why your dog has been doing it and what would make each of them more likely.
The reason why your dog has been doing it might be that it makes your dog feel safer. By leaning against something such as a wall, it will make your dog feel like its back is protected and that nothing can sneak up on it. This would be less likely if it also leans on things such as a table leg that does not really protect its back.
Another possible cause is that it has gotten an injury and it has been leaning on things to support itself. This would be more likely if your dog has started doing it suddenly and if it has been showing other signs of injury such as limping. In this case, the best option would be to take it to a vet.
The cause might also be that it simply likes the feeling. This would be more likely if it also rubs itself against the thing it is leaning on, the thing it leans on is cool such as a wall and if it tends to lean on a specific object.
Another possible cause is that it has been leaning on things due to being weaker as a result of old age. This would be more likely if your dog has gradually started leaning on things more and more as it has gotten older.
Below are some things to consider when figuring out the main reason why your dog has been doing it.
If your dog did not always lean on things, it would help to consider what else happened when your dog first started doing it. If it started doing it suddenly, it could be due to things such as getting an injury or a rash.
It would also help to consider if there is anything special about the timing that your dog tends to lean against things. For example, if it only seems to lean against you, when you are outside, it might be doing it because it is being protective or because it makes your dog feel safer.
It would also help to consider how often it has been leaning on things. If it has been leaning on things constantly and it has been hesitant to move around, it would be more likely to be due to an injury. Whereas, if it only does it occasionally, it would be more likely to be due to finding it comfortable.
It would also help to consider how it has been behaving at other times as well. If it has also started behaving unusually in other ways such as by limping or not wanting to go on walks, it would also be more likely to be due to an injury.
Why Dogs Lean on People
The answer is as simple. Dogs lean on people because they want to be close to them. By nature, dogs are social pack animals. Most dogs enjoy physical contact with humans. While smaller dogs can be picked up and cuddled, bigger dogs do what they can to get close. Some dogs are so affectionate it seems they are trying to somehow become a part of you! They lean in with all their weight. Some sit on your feet, sleep with their paws on you, and snuggle up on the couch or bed.
Some sources claim that leaning is a sign of dominance in dogs. However, dog behavior experts have proven that old canine dominance theories are incorrect. Dominance is not a personality trait. Rather it is a relationship between a pair of animals. Its unlikely your dog leans on you to assert any kind of dominance.
Some feel leaning is a way for dogs try to take advantage of their humans. While dogs can figure out how to elicit certain responses in people, they are not manipulative. People show dogs (perhaps inadvertently) specific behaviors result in certain responses. If you give your dog any kind of attention (good or bad) when it leans, it will lean on you whenever it wants attention.
In some cases, leaning can be a sign of fear or insecurity. Dogs cower or hide behind people when they are in fear, but that dog usually exhibits other signs of fear in addition to leaning. Dogs in need of confidence may be fearful or insecure. If you think this is the case with your dog, then its best to ignore the leaning (dont encourage or discourage it). Use training to boost your dogs confidence.
Why do dogs rub themselves on furniture after eating?
The Contentment Ceremony — expressing their inner dog
For instance, these could occur while seeing you prepare their meal or after eating a good meal. By them rolling and rubbing their bodies across the floor and furniture or rubbing their muzzles and noses, they are expressing their contentment.