Why do they do that?

jksjkc · #1 12th September 2006, 09:10 PM

Our Butch is on this kick where he'll always come up to our leg and lean his side into us. I just pet him when he does this but I notice he'll do it if he thinks someone is hurt or when he greets us.
Of course, he does the kidney bean but this is different. It's like he's in front of you and pushing against you with his body.
Just curious if anyone knew of this behavior.

mybubbieroo · #2 12th September 2006, 09:20 PM

I think most Boxers do this and it is just their way of showing and receiving love and comfort. Sort of a Boxer hug!

Poetic_thing · #3 12th September 2006, 09:23 PM

Yes, that is the 'boxer lean'. And as Bonnie said it is their way of showing / receiving love. They do this with those they are comfortable with, they just need to get as close as boxerly possible!! Mine do this in the truck big time - OMG good thing there is a door there otherwise I'd be on the pavement

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jksjkc · #4 12th September 2006, 09:27 PM

LOL. I figured that, but I wasn't quite sure.
He's also taken to sitting on us if we are on the floor.
Makes sense that it's an affectionate gesture.
I notice that sometime if I'm playing with him, he gets too rough and I'll stand up straight and stare at him, he does it too. Maybe he's saying, "It's ok, I'm just playing."

Poetic_thing · #5 12th September 2006, 10:13 PM

LOL, oh yeah I think they figure if we are on the floor - we belong to them. I can't even lie down to stretch without having one of them either walk all over me or smother me with kisses

. As for the staring back thing my 2 do that too - Torin gets this look like "problem??" and Kirra is more like "what? whad I do?"

Lola's mum · #6 13th September 2006, 10:25 AM

To be honest most dogs do this, every dog I have known has done this

Jacks_momma · #7 21st September 2006, 08:33 AM

Oh yeah! My boxer babies do this too!! I love it. I always said without any prior knowledge that Jack was giving me a hug ;-))))

FletchersMom · #8 21st September 2006, 08:49 AM

Yup...Fletcher is a leaner too....I swear he weighs twice as much as normal when he's on your foot!!!

Donna1969 · #9 21st September 2006, 10:56 AM

My 3 boxers all did/do this. But only when they were bigger pups. Echo and Carson have recently started doing it.

I was once told it was something like "hearding" where they are trying to "corral" you where they want you..don't know how much of that I believe. But I haven't run accross a doggie, no matter the breed, that hasn't done the lean into the leg thing. My best friends huge Rotti does it all the time and since he weighs more than me its hard to keep upright

ssi_rhonda · #10 21st September 2006, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mybubbieroo

Sort of a Boxer hug!

Exactly what I was going to say

I always felt like they were giving me a hug!