The lean and push behavior is a common characteristic of the Great Dane breed.
Although it may seem like your Great Dane wants attention, leans because he is tired, or even tries to show dominance, there are many other reasons why this leaning behavior occurs.
So why is your Great Dane leaning on you?
There are many reasons why a Great Dane might lean on their owner. For one, they may want attention, however, this is not always the reason. A Great Dane may also lean on their owner if they want something from them, if they are afraid, or they might even have separation anxiety!
Before you assume that your Great Dane is leaning on you just for attention, or for any other reason, be sure to read until the end as we reveal plenty of reasons Great Danes may demonstrate this behavior.
Why Does My Great Dane Push His Body Against Me?
To begin with, Great Danes were originally bred as guard dogs and kept in stables or by livestock for protection. Thus, contact was necessary to help them feel secure; leaning against family members provided that much-needed touch.
Even today, some people suggest that Great Danes still use this tactic to establish the desired hierarchy within the pack structure of their household.
However, this is only one of many reasons experts say that Great Danes might lean against their owner.
Before jumping to any conclusion, it is vital that you are aware of all the possibilities behind the reason a Great Dane may lean against you.
Thankfully, we can help you find an explanation in this article!
Wants to Stay Warm
Another possible reason is that your Great Dane wants to feel more comfortable during the winter. If you notice that your dog is cold, try to find a solution for their coldness that will work for you both.
For example, if your Great Dane likes to lean on furniture or people, try putting him in a warmer area of the room where he can still be close to you and stay warm if necessary.
It can be difficult to keep a Great Dane warm during the winter, but it doesn’t have to be! There are many things you can do to keep your Great Dane happy and healthy all winter long.
Consider getting a heating pad for them to lay on, or a heating blanket that they can sleep under. If they’re one of the lucky ones with a heated bed, then don’t worry about it!
You also could try using a doggy sweater or coat that will help them maintain their body temperature throughout the day.
If you notice your Great Dane shivering or shaking uncontrollably, make sure he has access to a warm place where he can be comfortable.
If you are worried about your Great Dane being too cold, take him to the vet for an examination to make sure he doesn’t have any other health issues.
Staying Close to You, the Leader!
A Great Dane may stay close to you because they see you as the pack leader. If they are not getting enough attention from you, they might treat you like their alpha and lean on you to get your attention.
Although this may seem exaggerated, it can in fact be the reason why your Great Dane leans on you.
This behavior will eventually go away if your dog feels secure and gets enough attention, but it might be best to consider the reasons behind why they lean against humans before trying out any training methods.
Maybe They Love You
Surprisingly (to some), if your dog is leaning on you, it could be a good thing! If a Great Dane leans on their owner, this could be an attempt to show its love for the owner.
Therefore, if you find your dog leaning on you and licking you at the same time, you probably have a very happy and loving pet!
This breed characteristic is completely normal for Great Danes, who are a very social dog breed. They will often seek out companionship from their owners or other family members.
If you notice your Great Dane leaning on your legs, it could be because they love you and want your attention!
Some dogs lean on their owner’s legs as a way to ask them for affection or playtime, which can also lead to the licking behavior that goes along with this action.
In this case, giving your pup some personal time or playing with him will make both of you happy!
Fear
Unfortunately, a dog leaning on you is not always a good sign and does not always mean that they want to show you they love you. Great Danes that lean on their owner may also be showing signs of fear.
It’s not uncommon for Great Danes to lean up against their owners if they are feeling anxious, scared, or insecure about the best way to handle a certain situation.
They may feel threatened by loud noises, people getting too close, or maybe even strangers in general!
This isn’t something that needs curing at all; it’s just a part of your pet’s natural behavior in certain situations.
It simply means that he trusts you so much he leans on you when he doesn’t know what else to do in given situations.
The insecurity will often go away after some time passes if neglected or mistreated because then it becomes clear that his human is always there for him no matter what.
Common Human, Let’s Play!
A Great Dane leaning against their owner might just be looking for some play time as well as affection from you!
If your pet is sitting down and leaning against you, there’s a good chance that he just wants to have some fun with another living being or have his back scratched.
Providing either of those things should help solve the problem.
You might also be able to try and redirect his attention by giving him a toy to play with or teaching him how to do some tricks!
All these behaviors will make your Great Dane happy and tired at the end of the day, which is always good for pups.
It’s Comfortable
Your dog may just want to sit in the most comfortable position possible. Your pet may look like he’s cuddling up against you when he does this, but chances are your pup just wants to get comfortable where he is.
This can occur if you have let them lay down right next to you on the couch, so be sure to give them their own space!
Some dogs would rather lean against something than sit directly on the ground because it gives them a better view, or it simply feels more comfortable.
In some cases, Great Danes lean on people and objects in order to get a good look at what’s going on around them!
At least one of their senses needs to be stimulated all the time so that they know what to expect from their surroundings.
If you notice your dog leaning up against you or something else, there may also be a chance that he is just trying to feel safe and secure in his surrounding environment.
This can be caused by loud noises, people moving too quickly around him, or even his home environment if it has recently changed.
If your Great Dane always wants affection and attention, he might lean up against you because he simply wants some company! He may not be feeling suspicious of his surroundings or afraid, but instead just lonely.
Try giving your pet some love by cuddling with him and seeing what happens after playtime is over. It should definitely help solve the problem.
Hunger
It’s possible that your pet is hungry. Great Danes need to eat about every 4-6 hours! And bigger pups should be fed more often, so make sure you are giving them enough food.
If it seems like they are always hungry, then adjust their feedings accordingly.
If your Great Dane leans up against you, this could be a reminder that you haven’t given them enough water in the past.
However, if food is involved, they might be acting out of hunger, so try to keep track of when your dog usually eats and see if it lines up with when he leans on you or someone else.
In case they have already eaten their meal and are still hungry, there are some healthy snacks that you can prepare for your Great Dane.
The following fruits are safe and healthy for dogs in small portions:
– Apples
– Bananas
– Blueberries
– Grapes
– Kiwi
– Raspberries
Showing Dominance
It is possible that your Great Dane is showing dominance by leaning on you. This behavior is usually exhibited by dogs that are not neutered.
If your pet leans against you, try sitting down on the ground and see what he does. If he also remains standing up high on his legs for a few minutes, then it’s likely that this behavior is due to dominance.
The dominance issue should be worked out as soon as possible, so if it seems to be a problem for your pup, contact a Great Dane expert or your local veterinarian for more help.
It is very important to make it clear that you are the leader (the dominant one). Otherwise, there may be a conflict of roles and power with your Great Dane in the future that can result in some serious problems.
Tired
Sometimes Great Danes lean on things and people because they are tired from exercise or maybe recovering from something like surgery.
If this is the case with your pet make sure to watch them closely and pay attention to their general energy level throughout each day.
If your Great Dane continues leaning on you even after they’ve had time to rest, then it’s possible that this behavior is due to discomfort.
Separation Anxiety
Additionally, it is possible that your Great Dane will lean against you because of separation anxiety or displacement behaviors.
If he is feeling nervous about being left alone for prolonged periods, he may do this as an act of reassurance when you leave the room and upon your return – even if it is just for a few minutes!
The same applies if your Great Dane suffers from past traumas.
Try the following to combat the challenges of separation anxiety:
- Spend some time with your dog every day either before you leave or when you return home.
- Add new challenges to their day so that it’s not just the same old thing every time.
- Give them some “alone” time during the day so that they can adjust to being on their own without you being there at all times.
- Consider giving them a special toy to enjoy while you are gone so that they can feel like they have something “special” just for them.
- Try not to give your dog too many treats or feed them scraps of food while you are away because some dogs may become more anxious when this happens.
- Make sure any changes in routine are gradual and positive by celebrating with lots of extra love and affection upon your return home! By gradually integrating time apart, your dog will soon learn it’s not the end of the world when they need to be on their own for a few hours at least every day.
When to Be Concerned About Your Great Dane Leaning on You
Your Great Dane leaning on you is not necessarily a reason to be concerned. As we have discussed in this article, there are quite a few reasons for such behavior.
In fact, sometimes, leaning can be a good thing, such as in the case where they want to express their love for you!
You can keep track of when your dog leans by making sure you are placing him in a familiar space where he feels the most comfortable.
You should also pay attention to what else is going on around him – is it 7 AM? Maybe he is hungry! Is your pet leaning up against the wall with his paws on the ground? He might just be exhausted.
Keeping track of how often your Great Dane will typically lean on you will help you understand their behavior. This will also be useful in case the problem persists and you wish to bring it up with your veterinarian.
