Thursday, September 6, 2012

Why do dogs lean?

By Jerry Welsh


People would always want to have a dog for a lot of reasons. Some dog breeds are utilized to hunt, some are used in search and rescue operations, others are kept as protection dogs but majority of these four legged friends are primarily kept as companions. Dogs are truly wonderful creatures as apart from showing an eagerness to please its people, dogs are very loyal and protective animals as well. Dogs are social animals thus pet owners would always be exposed to the affectionate nature of the pet. Dogs are considered as members of the family because of these most valued human-like attributes.

Dogs may not have the ability to speak but nature has endowed these intelligent and affectionate animals with the ability to use a whole range of body movements to communicate with people and with other animals. Any dog owner would know that the dog has the propensity to lean. A dog scratching a hard to reach body part would lean on the legs of the master. The dog's tendency to lean can be attributed to other reasons. Affection, possessiveness, a show of dominance and protection are other reasons why dogs lean on people.

Dogs will show their affectionate nature to all the members of the family as dogs are social animals. As soon as the dog sees a member of its human family, it would speedily approach and would lick, kiss or lean on the its beloved person. Dogs are provided with comfortable crates and beds to sleep on but these affectionate creatures would still prefer to sleep leaning on the legs and feet of people.

This leaning habit can be the dog's way of showing its protective and possessive nature. Dogs can easily discern danger. A dog leaning on the master in a potentially dangerous situation would seem to assure the master of its protection. Dogs are possessive of their masters. When the dog leans, it is telling everyone that the person it is leaning to is his master.

Leaning would show the dog's dominant behavior. Dogs are pack animals and the tendency to lean is a demonstration of its dominant personality. A dog with a dominant behavior will be hard to manage and control. The dog's habit of leaning on their master is allowed because owners actually enjoy the affectionate nature of the pet however, if leaning is a demonstration of dominance then the pets tendency to lean must be curbed.




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