Why Does My Dog Grab Other Dog’s Legs? (Trainer Offers Insights)

Interactions between dogs can sometimes take an intriguing turn, particularly during playtime. Thankfully, dogs that are well-socialized have a knack for deciphering each other’s body language, allowing them to adjust their play style accordingly. This can involve gentle nibbling or, on the flip side, knowing when to ease off by grabbing another dog’s legs.

However, there might be instances where your dog isn’t engaging in this behavior purely for play. Dogs that lack proper socialization may struggle to discern the boundaries of playtime and might find it challenging to de-escalate a play session. In some cases, this behavior could even be instinctual, and your dog may not have much control over it.

Reason 1. It’s Instinctual

Playstyle among dogs is often guided by their instincts, which can vary depending on their breed. This is why some dogs are more prone to grabbing other dogs’ legs during play. While every dog is unique, their individuality is shaped significantly by environmental factors such as training and socialization. However, it’s important to acknowledge that certain breeds inherit specific traits that can lead to particular behaviors rooted in genetics.

Some of these traits can make a dog more inclined to grab other dogs’ legs. While it may be seen as a playful behavior in some cases, for certain dogs, it could be their instincts taking over and potentially evolving into a more serious behavior. Natural prey instincts or herding instincts, for instance, can override a dog’s typical behavior, prompting them to stalk and grab other dogs’ legs.

Prey Drive

Dogs with a high prey drive possess a strong urge to stalk, capture, and occasionally even kill prey. Breeds like sporting dogs, hound dogs, and herding dogs typically fall into this category. When these dogs spot something they want to chase, they can have difficulty obeying commands and may be challenging to train off-leash.

A significant aspect of prey drive involves chasing, and when a dog with a high prey drive sees another dog running away, it can trigger them to chase and grab the other dog’s legs. While this may sometimes start as play, an under-socialized dog who hasn’t learned to control their prey drive can quickly become too rough. That’s why it’s essential to closely supervise group dog play.

Herding Instincts

Herding instincts are a subset of the prey drive, but they are specialized for stalking and chasing rather than capturing and killing. Nonetheless, this doesn’t prevent herding dogs from occasionally taking a nip at another dog’s leg.

According to the AKC (American Kennel Club), herding dogs have been selectively bred for their “instinctual ability to control the movement of other animals.” Traditionally, these animals were livestock such as sheep, goats, and cows. However, many herding breeds have such strong instincts that they’ll attempt to create a ‘flock’ to herd if they lack livestock. This ‘flock’ might include children, other dogs, birds, or even cats.

When herding dogs can’t express their herding instincts properly, they might attempt to herd other dogs. This can involve crouching down and stalking before swiftly moving in to grab their legs. Dogs with pronounced herding instincts might be trying to play, but they can easily take it too far, and other dogs may find this behavior inappropriate.

For example, my Border Collie rescue, which has exceptionally strong herding instincts, instinctively grabs other dogs’ legs if she feels cornered or trapped. As a responsible owner, I’m always vigilant about preventing her from getting into such situations.

Speaking of dogs that grab legs, it’s no surprise that the popular herding dog, the Australian Cattle Dog, is often affectionately called ‘Heelers’!

Reason 2. Your Dog Is Playing

Playstyle among dogs is significantly influenced by their instincts, including herding and prey drive. Often, during play, dogs can get quite rough, and this can involve the display of teeth. Dogs may engage in behaviors like biting at the air, nipping each other’s ears, or grabbing each other’s legs. For instance, Boxers are known for their playful ‘boxing’ moves, similar to kangaroos. Well-socialized dogs are adept at reading each other’s body language and have a sense of when play is becoming too rough.

Young dogs and puppies, especially those who are still learning how to play appropriately, may test these boundaries by grabbing and holding onto another dog’s leg. In such cases, mature dogs often provide a gentle correction, which usually helps teach the younger ones some manners. While this correction may not always appear gentle, it’s a natural part of dog interaction, as demonstrated in the video below.

Since dogs acquire their play behaviors from older, more experienced dogs, socializing your puppy or young dog is crucial. In most cases, you won’t need to intervene when your dog grabs another dog’s legs during play. Well-socialized dogs have their own ways of communicating when play becomes too rough, utilizing both body language and vocal cues to maintain appropriate boundaries.

Reason 3. Your Dog Is Under Socialized

Proper socialization, from puppyhood into adulthood, equips your dog with essential tools and confidence to navigate the world and become a well-adjusted canine. During this process, dogs learn to cope with various aspects of life, such as sudden changes, loud noises, new people, and other dogs. Socialization also helps dogs gain valuable insights into other dogs’ body language and teaches them when to respect boundaries. However, under-socialized dogs may struggle to grasp these cues and may continue to grab other dogs’ legs.

These under-socialized dogs find it challenging to comprehend the body language of other dogs and respect their boundaries. They lack the skills needed to read and interpret this body language effectively, which can result in them persistently grabbing other dogs’ legs. While innate traits like prey drive and herding instincts shape a dog’s play style, they also need to learn when it’s time to stop playing too roughly. An under-socialized dog may not understand that not all dogs appreciate having their legs grabbed.

Reason 4. Your Dog Is Bored

Puppies often push boundaries as they explore the world and seek adventure. But what about adult dogs that taunt other dogs by grabbing their legs? In many cases, this behavior is a result of boredom. While some dogs may resort to destructive behavior when bored, others constantly seek playtime. When they lack proper exercise or mental stimulation, their underlying instincts, like prey drive and herding traits, can take over. They may overcompensate for their boredom by repeatedly grabbing other dogs’ legs.

Reason 5. Your Dog Is Reactive

Aggressively grabbing other dogs’ legs, whether driven by instinct or simply because it’s the only part of the other dog they can reach, can be a sign of reactivity. Many dogs simply do not get along with other dogs, which can stem from traumatic past experiences, inadequate socialization, or their individual personalities. While it’s acceptable for your dog not to like other dogs and display reactivity, it’s crucial as a responsible owner to learn how to manage your dog and prevent them from engaging in this behavior.

Let’s delve into various types of reactivity, understand what they mean, and explore strategies for managing a reactive dog.

Protective

Reactive dogs that resort to grabbing other dogs’ legs when those dogs approach you might initially appear protective. However, in reality, they are likely engaging in resource guarding behavior. Resource guarding, is when a dog controls access to items, people, locations, or food that hold importance to them through defensive body language or even aggression.

For many hunting and herding breeds, grabbing other dogs’ legs could be an instinctual response when they are resource guarding you, their food, or their toys. Their objective is to distance the other dog from the valuable resource they are protecting.

If you want to learn more about identifying and managing resource guarding behavior, I recommend watching this Zak George video, which provides valuable insights and guidance.

Scared

When dogs encounter frightening stimuli or triggers, they may exhibit impulsive behaviors, such as grabbing other dogs’ legs. Take, for example, my rescue Border Collie, who resorts to grabbing other dogs’ legs when she feels cornered. This behavior stems from fear, and it’s a natural instinct for her to seek security in such situations. While I make an effort to prevent her from feeling trapped, I’ve also trained her to respond reliably to a “leave-it” command when she attempts to grab other dogs’ legs.

Various triggers can cause a reactive dog to engage in this behavior. These triggers may include loud noises like shouting, fireworks, car backfires, or gunshots, as well as encounters with strangers or children.

Aggression

Typically, dogs prefer to avoid confrontations. If your dog’s reactive behavior escalates into aggression, it’s likely because they’ve been sending out body language signals that have gone unheeded. One such signal could be grabbing other dogs’ legs. Ignoring these signals can lead to more severe behaviors, including snapping, lunging, or biting.

As a responsible owner, it’s essential to advocate for your dog and provide them with space when they start exhibiting this type of reactivity. Dogs showing discomfort may attempt to make themselves appear smaller, tuck their tails, lick their lips, or bare their teeth. Recognizing these signs and responding appropriately is crucial for maintaining a peaceful and safe environment.

Reason 6. Teething

As your puppy grows, around the age of 6 months, you might notice sudden changes in their behavior. They may start attempting to bite and chew on everything, including you, furniture, or even grab other dogs’ legs. This behavior is often a result of teething, a natural part of their development when their adult teeth start coming in.

Teething puppies tend to chew on various objects, including other dogs’ legs, because their mouths are sore. To help alleviate their discomfort without causing harm to you or other dogs, consider providing them with puppy teething toys. These toys can redirect their chewing instincts to more appropriate outlets.

Should I Be Worried?

Dogs that grab other dogs’ legs during playtime are generally not a cause for concern. However, it can become problematic if they fail to heed other dogs’ body language signals indicating that play has become too rough or if the other dog has had enough. In such cases, there is a risk of injury to either dog, potentially leading to aggressive or reactive behavior.

To address this issue, let’s explore how you can change your dog’s behavior.

How Do You Change Your Dog’s Behavior?

Many dogs have a strong desire to play continuously and may struggle to interpret other dogs’ signals when play becomes too intense or when they want to stop. For these dogs, redirection is key. Redirection involves shifting your dog’s attention away from an unwanted behavior toward a more desirable one.

For instance, instead of allowing your dog to grab another dog’s legs, train them to grab a toy instead. Dogs that instinctively go for other dogs’ legs due to breed-specific traits are often just as motivated to chase a ball or engage in a game of tug-of-war.

Furthermore, teaching your dog the “leave-it” command is highly beneficial. This command can be applied to various situations, including refraining from grabbing other dogs’ legs, not indulging in certain foods, or avoiding specific items.

If your dog appears bored, it’s essential to provide them with more exercise and mental stimulation. While not all dogs need extensive physical activity, even the laziest ones can benefit from a daily walk. Mental stimulation, such as training sessions and interactive games, can help prevent boredom. You can also consider using food enrichment toys for mental engagement, some of which you can create yourself.

Lastly, if your dog exhibits reactive behavior, whether out of fear, resource guarding, or aggression, it’s advisable to work on their behavior with a certified trainer in controlled environments. If you sense that your dog is becoming overwhelmed and might resort to grabbing other dogs’ legs as a reaction, remove them from the situation, as they are likely experiencing high stress levels. You can gradually reintroduce them when they are emotionally ready.

Final Thoughts

If you own a herding or hunting dog, it’s highly likely that they will occasionally attempt to grab other dogs’ legs during interactions. This behavior can stem from various reasons, including playfulness, boredom, or reactivity. Additionally, young dogs and puppies might engage in leg-grabbing behavior during the teething phase. Dogs that lack socialization may exhibit these behaviors more prominently since they haven’t learned better manners from other dogs.

It’s worth noting that leg-grabbing is just one of several impolite behaviors that under-socialized dogs may display. However, the response from other dogs tends to be consistent—a negative reaction to these rude behaviors.

The good news is that you can usually modify these instinctual behaviors. Teaching your dog a strong “leave-it” command, redirecting their attention to more enjoyable activities like playing with a ball or toy, and providing alternative outlets for their energy, such as regular walks and engaging in training games, can be effective strategies.

In cases where certain dogs cannot be around other dogs without engaging in leg-grabbing behavior, there are plenty of enjoyable activities you can share with your canine companion that don’t involve interacting with other dogs. Consider exploring exciting sports like agility, obedience training, or barn hunts, take long hikes together, and, at the end of the day, enjoy a cozy cuddle session on the couch with your furry friend.