How To Break A Dog From Leaning On You

[cpepper5702]

Hello everyone,

I have a 9 month old GSD named Diesel and he has developed (thanks to me and my wife) a bad habbit of coming up to you and leaning on you when your loving on him. Normally with any other small to medium sized dog I wouldn't mind but he will be very big someday and I don't want him knocking us over. I know a lot of people on here like it when their dog does it and I do too right now because I can hug on him and just love on him. When he turns a year old, we will be certifiying him as a service dog. I live outside DC and I am currently in the military. My wife and I have been to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center many times for my doctor appointments and we see the wounded warriors that are there and we just want to help. I can NOT have Diesel go up to one of my brothers or sisters who are wounded and knock them over. It's cute right now with us but could become a problem when visiting our nations heros. How do I break him of this?

Thanks for your help!

V/r,
Colton

[Jax08]

Step away from him when he leans on you. Mine only leans on me when I bend over her. If I"m sitting, she doesn't lean. Maybe it's your body language encouraging it?

Service dog? Or Therapy dog?

[cpepper5702]

Therapy dog. I'm sorry... I will try that.

[Shade]

Encourage and reward good behaviour.

Try asking for a neat sit while petting, it's very polite and people appreciate meeting dogs that aren't jumping in their face so it's a win/win situation

Or if you're ok with it, ask to "shake hands" when saying hello and staying in the sit position in front of you while petting. Anything to encourage staying in a position that you want them in

Dogs generally focus on what's asked so TELL her what you expect her to do

[RowdyDogs]

I agree with Shade. Don't think of it as teaching him not to lean, but rather teaching him how to politely accept attention. Make sure he is always in a nice sit or down when you pet him. If he leans on you, move away from him, put him in a sit/down, and start again. You'll have to do this consistently, too...no "but it's still cute so I'll let it happen this once" if you want a dog who never leans on people.

I would also consider your body language. Only one of my dogs is a big leaner, but I can easily get all of them to lean on me if I stand so my legs are touching them and lean over to pet them (among other ways). Be sure you're not inadvertently encouraging him to lean on you.

[cpepper5702]

You mean like bending over him when standing? I like what you said about how I should approach it. Thats a great way of looking at it. There is nothing I would want more is to have him politely come to me and sit/laydown and want me to pet him. That would be great!

[RowdyDogs]

Yeah, bending over a dog while standing is one thing that always gets my dogs to lean, but it's not the only thing. Basically, just make sure that you're setting him up for success by not accidentally encouraging him to lean on you.