My husband and I just adopted a Labrador/Golden Retriever a little over a month ago, and he's wonderful. He is very sweet and well-mannered. He doesn't show any aggression, and I've only heard him bark twice since we've had him (once at a stranger walking down the road, and the other when he wanted to play). My question is this... When I go and sit on the floor with him to pet him and massage him, he has been taking his front paws and standing on my knees or my legs. He doesn't make eye contact with me when doing this. I've read a couple reasons as to why dogs do this... most claim that it is a dominance issue, some say it's affection and others state that it is truly just a way of affection for dogs. Does anyone know? If this is dominance is there an easy way to beak this? Thanks for your help!:)

If it was dominance, likely he would make eye contact. I would give him the command off, and push him away, quitting the petting or massage.

I think massage time is a good thing to do with a rehoused dog. It helps with building their confidence in you. Do as labman instructs and end the session each time he doesn't obey your instructions. The other thing you can do which I find to be a more preferable method, is to not massage him when he is on his belly but to roll him over onto his back, with his belly & legs facing up. The way you are massaging him now, he is lying on his belly which allows him to place his legs on you in the first place. When you are ready to massage him, gently roll him over onto his back. Rubbing his belly as you are doing this will relax him and he will be more accepting of being rolled onto his back. Keep rubbing his belly and chest, then work your way into massaging all four of the joints where his leg and body meet, massaging around the "thigh" area around to his back. Those "thigh" muscles are the ones dogs love to have massaged. By placing him on his back, you are asserting your dominance over him and building his confidence in you at the same time. :)