A Rottweiler may lean on you as a sign of their loyalty and affection When they lean on you, rottweilers are trusting you to support their weight. Although many perceive them as “aggressive,” they are one of the few breeds that show this type of affection because of their protective instincts.
Why Does My Rottweiler Lean On Me?
Loyalty is one of the biggest traits Rottweilers express to their owners. You will find that your Rottie is expressing their commitment to you by leaning up against you. They may also lean up against you as a way of telling you that they respect and trust you.
Rottweilers can even have a tendency to lean on you after a sudden change in your life. For example, they may lean on you because:
- You have moved to a different setting
- Someone else has moved away
- There was a sudden change to their routine
- Your routine may have changed due to work or personal reasons.
Here are some reasons why Rotties lean up against you, how it can be a form of expressing different behavior, and when to be concerned.
Why Does My Rottie Push His Body Up Against Me?
Rotties are guard dogs with protective instincts. When they build their trust in you, you will find how loyal and affectionate they are towards you, Moreover, they could be expressing some kind of concerns or behavior you may not be familiar with. Here are some common reasons why your Rottie pushes against you and what they mean.
Rotties can grow up to about 130 pounds during their adulthood, so you will notice when they are leaning on you. The main reason for leaning against you is a way for them to say “I love you.” Another factor is their herding background. In the old days, Rottweilers were classified as “drovers.” They were bred to protect and herd livestock for farmers.
Because of their herding instincts, they will herd you in some cases. Even if you don’t feel like being herded, or need to, Rotties will show this type of behavior because they are willing to protect you and the ones they love. In some cases, they may sit on you because they feel protected.
They Want To Stay Warm
You may notice your Rottweiler lean up against you when they want to stay warm. Rotties have a short coat of fur, which means they are a very sensitive breed in colder temperatures.
They tend to do this when the temperatures have dropped or if the air conditioning is on during the year’s warm months. It is stated that Rottweilers can tolerate cold weather rather than heat up to 70 degrees.
If you see your dog leaning against you or shivering for such reasons, it may be because they are cold.
They Want Close Contact With their Pack Leader
Rottweilers are devoted to you and will become submissive if they are well-trained in dominance. Some considered dogs to be “social pack animals.” Moreover, they enjoy physical touch with their owners.
Since Rotties are a medium to large dog breed, they can’t be picked up and cuddled with compared to a smaller dog, but they will lean up against you just to feel closer to you.
These signs of leaning could mean placing almost all of their weight against you, sitting beside your feet, or simply just snuggling beside you on the bed or couch.
They Want To Show They Love You
As previously stated, Rotties lean on you to say, “I love you.” Some may name them as a “velcro” breed because of their attachment to you. For instance, your Rottweiler will show this behavior because they feel close to you or their desire to know your whereabouts. They love to pay close attention to their owners. In other cases, they lean to show their physical affection towards you.
If you own a Rottie, you may notice this type of pushy behavior when you’re standing up and feel a bit of pressure on your leg. If you are considered lightweight, you may suddenly lose your balance. On some occasions, you may also feel them when you are sitting down.
In addition, some Rotties may show off this behavior when other people are around. It is safe to say they highly express this behavior around strangers to show their commitment to you.
They Are Afraid Of Something
As previously mentioned, you may notice your Rottweiler lean on you as a sign of their attachment to you. In some cases, they may express this behavior because they fear something.
For instance, if your Rottie encounters someone they are unfamiliar with, they may lean on you as a way to protect you from a potential threat, which could lead to aggressive behavior.
Additionally, it makes them feel secure. Since dogs are considered pack animals and they spend most of their time around other dogs and people, it is safe to say they lean on you as a sense of security for them.
They May Want You To Move or Go in A Certain Direction
As we all know, Rottweilers have herding instincts and may try to herd you, even if you don’t have a desire for it. Rotties would herd larger animals like cattle, which meant they would bump them with a bit of force to move them in the direction they needed to go. This act of behavior may apply to humans as well.
Rottweilers may bump their bodies against you to direct you where they want you to go. If you have children, they may bump them to protect them from a potential threat or to keep them from danger.
They Want Your Attention or Something From You
Rotties may show signs of leaning when they want something from you or want your attention. This dog breed thrives on attention from its owner. Rotties may do this when they are not receiving enough attention, or when they are receiving too much attention. It is recommended to show your Rottie attention when they are behaving how you want them to, rather than awarding them when they are not.
He Wants To Show His Dominance Over You
Many believe that leaning can be a signal that your Rottie is trying to show dominance. However, this is not always the case. In rarer cases, Rotties may lean on you if they are trying to make an effort to show their dominance.
Rottweilers may show this kind of dominance when they lean against you to move out of their way, to position themselves to be higher than you, or not respond to your commands.
If you notice dominance in your Rottie, look for signs of growling, biting, possessiveness, or aggressive behavior during playtime. It is important to practice positive reinforcement training. This will teach them how to behave and respect you as their leader.
They Have Separation Anxiety
Separation anxiety is a behavioral issue some dogs can develop. Because Rotties tend to be very loyal, social, and highly protective, they are prone to developing this act of behavior compared to most dog breeds. Although they look tough on the outside, they desire an owner that is going to put in the care and time needed.
You may notice your Rottweiler lean on you as a way to express their emotions and anxiety. This is especially the case when you are leaving the house or if they are left alone for too long.
Some causes of separation anxiety are:
- A new family – They can feel like they’re in an unfamiliar setting if there is a new addition to your household.
- A new home or change of settings – Your Rottie may notice new scents and new settings which can cause stress.
- A change in your schedule – This could be a change in your work schedule or if you have changed jobs, which causes a change in your dog’s schedule.
- A change in the family – This could be the death of a family member or the absence of a family member for certain reasons.
Some examples of separation anxiety are:
- Urinating/defecating when left alone
- Howling or barking
- Excessive chewing
- Destroying your belongings and others
When To Be Concerned When Your Rottweiler Leans On You
While leaning is a harmless behavior in Rottweilers, it can signify a cause for concern. As previously stated, a Rottie may challenge your dominance if they try and steer you in their desired direction. With that being said, this sort of behavior is something to look out for.
Rotties are considered large dogs, which can be a concern if you have small children. If you notice your Rottweiler lean on your child, it may cause them to lose their balance and injure themselves. It is therefore best to supervise your dog around young children.
Rotties are very loyal dogs, and one of the main ways they show their affection is by leaning on you. They will do so by showing you that they trust you and they are devoted to satisfying you by any means necessary.
