What ARE you doing?

[boxerfan]

Do your dogs do this? Oftentimes when I'm playing with Ali she either approaches me sideways or backs her butt up to me and stands over me or leans into me. It's so funny but I wondered if this was a dominance thing. She doesn't act aggressive. Other times, if I'm laying on the floor, she'll stand over me. What gives?

 

[Aimee]

Lexi is definantly a side winder too and Baxter does the leaning thing! I always thought these were traits of Boxers. It will be interesting to see what people have to say. I don't feel mine are trying to dominate me when they do this either and they get me laughing to tears with these antics! Lexi has the habit of standing over me too when I lay on the floor but only if I have been or am playing with her.

 

[Boxer Crazy]

Travis will do that too. I've wondered about it myself. I am wondering if he does this so that I can "get better aquainted" with him. You know, like they would to another dog, to let them sniff around. I don't know though, so I am looking forward to hearing the input of others.

 

[Julie Davis]

Originally posted by boxerfan
Do your dogs do this? Oftentimes when I'm playing with Ali she either approaches me sideways or backs her butt up to me and stands over me or leans into me. It's so funny but I wondered if this was a dominance thing. She doesn't act aggressive. Other times, if I'm laying on the floor, she'll stand over me. What gives?

When she leans into you, I think that's just a boxer hug lovicon When she sidewinds, it's called kidney beaning (named for the shape of a kidney bean...curved). I've never seen a boxer who didn't kidney-bean....:D It's just another one of those traits unique to our breed. Aren't boxers the BEST!!!

 

[boxerfan]

Julie Davis:

"When she sidewinds, it's called kidney beaning."[/B][/QUOTE]

I know kidney beaning - and boy, she's good at that. That's not what I'm talking about here, though. It's more like she walks up to me then turns sideways (and more often presents her backside ) If I'm sitting, she tries to stand over my legs or sits in my lap.

 

[Brenda]

When Harley backs into or stands over me I always thought that it was a dominance thing. He also does it to our daughter's dog when he's trying to dominate him. Harley will sit right down on us if we're on the floor or sit his butt on the couch beside us sometimes. I think it is definitely, a boxer thing though. I've never seen any other breed do it.

 

[Al's Pal]

That's so cute - my Ali does exactly the same thing! I especially love the leaning - she does it to other people now too, especially when we're at agility or when she's just tired.
Another thing - do your boxers do this? - she almost always, when she's asleep on my bed, has her butt facing me, and I'd really much prefer to have her face pointing my way! Is this normal, or is she trying to tell me something and not being very subtle??

 

[ZachsMom]

Zach does "the lean". It is so funny to watch him do it to my 4year old niece, he basically knocks her over. I like the thought that this is a boxer hug :D
Also,If I am sitting on the floor he will come over and sit with his back to me - just far enough away where I can't pet him. I think this behavior is submisive and by presenting the back it is the dog's way of telling you that he trusts you (he wouldn't be able to see if I wanted to 'attack' him) I am pretty sure I saw something like this on animal planet and I think the animals doing this were hyenas??
But I Could be wrong

 

[nanabear]

Mack will just come up and sit on me if I'm on the floor. I think he just wants to "dogpile" on his pack (like puppies do.)
But my female Katie, when she was alive COULD NOT stand it if you were on the floor - she couldn't relax and had to stand "over" me. Also if I raised up enough to brush her belly - she would start humping me and hang on with her front paws. IMO, definitely a dominance thing.

 

[Peggy G]

Hi Candy, I know exactly what you are talking about. Scarlet does the very same thing when Im on the floor..."the lean" as someone said. I like the thought too that it is a Boxer hug. But maybe its like saying....move over (off the floor-this is my territory). Scarlet will also stand over me and put one paw on me when I am on the floor...like I am a prize she has proudly captured. I read thats a dominate thing. I wish I knew what "the lean" meens. Any doggie shrinks out there?