10/28/2025
One thing I often hear in my office is, “my dog sits crooked!” 🐶
Us animal chiropractors have a name for that — it’s called sloppy sitting (also known as a puppy sit or lazy sit)! This is when a dog sits to one side, with the other leg kicked out.
So, is it something to worry about? 👉 It depends!
Sloppy sitting can be completely normal in puppies — they’re extra flexible as their joints and ligaments are still developing. As they grow, those joints, ligaments, and bones strengthen, replacing that flexibility with sturdy, weight-bearing structures that allow them to run, jump, and play without issue.
By the time your dog reaches about 1–2 years of age, they should have outgrown the sloppy sit. If they haven’t, it could point to an underlying issue — such as a knee injury, luxating patella, hip concern, or scar tissue from a surgery (like a TPLO surgery).
It’s important to remember that sloppy sitting is often a symptom of something deeper going on in the musculoskeletal system. Finding and addressing the root cause can make a big difference in preventing future injuries. When an adult dog consistently sits this way, it’s a sign that something may be uncomfortable, and they’re shifting posture to take pressure off their joints or spine.
Does your pet sloppy sit? Send us a message — we’d love to help get to the bottom of it! ❤️