New Owner Questions on sitting on feet or legs.

Picked up a rescue dog on Friday. 13 mos. Female spayed.

She is a staffy-mix that's all I know. 44 pounds (underweight is what the said and i see her eat very little, couple doodies a day though).

She really tries her best to "sit" on the feet of anyone she can find. She will circle around in front of you trying to get that rump down on your feet. Is this a sign of dominance or just cuddle with me? Seen different theories on the internet.

Thanks

Hi &

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Hi from me & Katy. Well done on giving a rescue a home Welcome to the wonderful world of staffie love Sitting on your feet is not a sign of dominance but a staffie way of having a captive audience for strokes & fuss

Hi & Welcome from Koda & I Well done on the rescue! TBH im not sure but i know staffys LOVE physical contact, our boy always lays touching us if he can ie on our feet, hands, chest etc.

It's just a need to be close to you. It's very, very common with staffies and crosses in rescue. I do the photographs for the local rescue centre and one of the biggest problems I have photographing the staffies is getting them far enough away from me, they just want to sit on your knees all the time.

As for dominance, have a read of this:

https://staffy-bull-terrier.niceboard.com/t62292-debunking-the-myth-the-dominance-theory

Put it out of your mind, for this and for any other behaviours.

What I would say is that your girl needs lots of love and security. Don't push her away, allow her to be close and have cuddles. But, don't let her believe that she can demand cuddles absolutely whenever or you could end up with problems later. Don't respond to her if she tries to push between people to get attention, don't respond if she tries to interrupt you doing something you will not want interrupting in the future, such as conversations and phone calls. There's no need to reprimand, just ignore so her behaviour gets no reward. What she learns now will be what she understands for the future.

If the clingyness doesn't reduce in a few weeks as she becomes more settled, it might also be a good idea to establish a place that is hers, a bed for example, and teach her to go to her bed when you ask, using lots of rewards and praise.

Well done on the rescue, by the way, there are so many bull breeds in rescue it's always great to hear of one who has found a wonderful home. If you've got any other questions, just ask. We've got a fair bit of experience with rescues between us on here.

Gizmo does this when he's seeking reassurance from me.

common for staffies to sit on your feet theres a wee staffy I know of does this

Awesome. Thank you all for the greetings and responses! She loves face to face cuddles and petting from everyone. I will post a picture when I move them off my phone.

So far, she will come in at night and has a carpet she stays on until the morning. Outside in the afternoon. She's loves to bury stuff and then cover it back up, I hope she knows where they all are (or is it a one-way deal?). Sometimes she'll bark for attention but I just walk away or not acknowledge the behavior. I know nothing about her background, but if she sees another dog, she'll sit or lay down and watch and then want to follow later. One dog did jump towards her, and she did the same before splatting on the floor. But, she forgot about that within a few moments as we went our separate ways.

yep it's a staffy thing. as i have mentioned before on this forum tessa will headbutt the bathroom door open just so that she can sit on your feet whilst you are sat on the toilet. it used to be funny and endearing but now it's just bloody annoying. we have tried locking the door but all you get is half a dozen loud thuds then the cold shoulder treatment for an hour or so when you come out.

Bless her, she sounds a real gem. And very lucky to have found you.

On the dog reaction, that says to me she's worried by other dogs which may well be due to lack of socialisation when younger. Just be aware that worry can lead to fear aggression, which is when a dog says 'get away' by making herself big and scary. I'd encourage her to look at you when there is another dog anywhere near you. Give her a treat for looking at you and maybe even take a step back and encourage her to come towards you. Giving her treats should also help build up positive associations with other dogs. I would also avoid putting her in situations she feels really uneasy with, such as other dogs bowling up to her. If necessary, when you see a dog coming up to you ask the other owner to call their dog, then explain that she's a new rescue and a bit nervous.

LizP wrote:Bless her, she sounds a real gem. And very lucky to have found you.

On the dog reaction, that says to me she's worried by other dogs which may well be due to lack of socialisation when younger. Just be aware that worry can lead to fear aggression, which is when a dog says 'get away' by making herself big and scary. I'd encourage her to look at you when there is another dog anywhere near you. Give her a treat for looking at you and maybe even take a step back and encourage her to come towards you. Giving her treats should also help build up positive associations with other dogs. I would also avoid putting her in situations she feels really uneasy with, such as other dogs bowling up to her. If necessary, when you see a dog coming up to you ask the other owner to call their dog, then explain that she's a new rescue and a bit nervous.

Thank you! Yes, I do tell them she is a rescue. she lays or sits and wants to follow if the other dog is just walking by. But, obviously I have no idea right now what she will do if they make contact. I would like to introduce her to my in-laws smallish size malt/terrier but she's a barker and a jumper. I always assumed that dogs were kept near each other in the shelter though. Oh, and yes, I do get close to her and hold her and try to give her a treat after or during but she never takes it.

Looking to teach her some quick obedience stuff within the next day or not sure if she can see the other dog on a trip. (Any recommended youtube videos?).

I will say she wants pets and cuddles from everyone she sees. Random people. Doesn't care who.