I have heard two different theories on this but I am working on correcting this behavior either way. I would just like others opinions. During protection training on the finish, when my Malinois returns to my left side, she either leans into my leg or actually puts her paw on my foot or both. She also does this when we stop on a walk. I honestly don't see her as insecure or lacking in confidence in any way, shape or form.

Hi Nancy,

I'm not a protection trainer by any stretch and have no experience with your return but you mentioned she does this on walks too.

I have experienced this with my all my pups at one point or another. Specifically when stopped.

It doesn't happen often but I've found if they are either eager to get going or maybe unsure of the reason we've stopped and I'm not giving off a lot of clues as to why, I may end up with a foot on mine and eye contact.

I've always thought of this as a more intimate connection, on their behalf, to get information out of me. A quick "uh uh" and toe movement and they'll remove it.

It doesn't happen often but if I'm a little slower with giving direction when there's action happening and they're a little amped up, it almost seems like their way of asking for direction.

I think it could be described as both or neither, dominance or insecurity, depending on what those definitions are. Dominant in the asking or insecure in the not knowing what's next.

Or simply that connection to get more information.

I could be totally off the mark here with what you're doing and hopefully the protection trainers will clear that up for you.

JMO;

This sounds to me more like an ob position that needs work, moreso than a behavioral issue. My dog gets careless with her positioning when we are working in drive, and she anticipates. I have to correct her position before we proceed, and she is getting better. You may fix this by reinforcing proper positioning during your ob and protection training.

My guess is its just something you've taught her in protection and its really minor. She's probably figured out she can maintain her position with you and keep her attention on the helper.

When you say finish in protection, I'm picturing a call out with the helper coming out to reward her at that position. I'm thinking thats where you've reinforced it.

Even on walks I think she's just learned to maintain her position and still peek around. Kind of like your version of contact heeling.

"My guess is its just something you've taught her in protection and its really minor. She's probably figured out she can maintain her position with you and keep her attention on the helper."


Ditto! I had a GSDxDane that would lean on my leg when heeling. Seems he figured out he could enjoy the sights and sounds of the walk and not really have to keep a visual on me.
This was in my less......reward based training days and I fixed it by putting a spike collar around my leg and letting him learn it wasn't a good thing to do. Did the same thing with a piece of elastic and thumb tacks pointed out. I'm just a nice old granpa now.

Thanks for the responses. I have noticed that when she puts her paw on my foot, it is when she is anticipating another bite as her reward.

If she steps on your foot she looses the chance for reward. A simple "nope", walk away and start over.