Dog sits "side saddle"

[Lilly Tilly]

Hi, i have a 3+ year old Lab/Doberman(?) Rescue Dog. She doesn't sit the usual way. She has what i call a 5 point sit, she doesn't just plunk her butt down in one motion. She shuffles her back feet abit then sits with her legs off to one side. She will go both ways (with her right leg tucked under, or her left) altho seems to prefer it to the right, with left leg tucked under.

She does have very long legs, and a long back. Do alot of dogs sit like this, and is there a reason?

Thanks!

Lilly

 

[bubbatd]

Could be a hip issue ....wouldn't hurt to check .

 

[otch1]

It certainly sounds like her conformation is an issue and since she's never been taught to sit "straight", this may be normal for her body type. The shuffling around before being comfortably enough to sit, her age and breed(s) are something I'd pay attention to, as bubbatd stated. Since she's a rescue and you don't know her health history (parents) try putting her in a stand. Hold her collar, go behind her and run thumbs down spine in circular motion from mid spine down to hips. Like a firm massage. See if she moves away from the pressure at a specific point. Most dogs, without discomfort, will press into your hands, enjoying a good rub. If not, see if you can place her in a straight sit, get a really good cookie (hotdog, chicken) and put it just an inch from nose. Ask her to come slowly, straight up on her haunches to get the cookie. Falling off to one side when she does this, or refusing to come up but backing away instead is a good indication there's discomfort there and it's time to call the vet. Hope she's just one lanky, uncoordinated girl! Lol. Good luck.

 

[Jynx]

I agree with the above, just wanted to add,

My female gsd who is almost 12, 'used' to have a nice straight sit, as she got older, her sit has gone to the "side' , like you describe,,she has good hips BUT, she has OCD, which is bad knees, so for her to 'bend' at the knee is painful I'm sure for her as well as uncomfortable.

Another example, when my female aussie was very sick, (joints all inflamed)
she also, would sit "sloppy",,why, because her joints were all inflamed, and now that it's under control, her sits are back to being very straight.

So I would think about checking her out structurally, hips as well as knees.
Diane

 

[Lilly Tilly]

Thanks all for the replys. Yes, i will have her checked out. I also hope she is just a lanky uncoordinated girl!

 

[bubbatd]

Let us know !!