I firmly believe my sxs guns should be closed by hand! Other methods using trees, car doors, dogs and other animals seem to have side effects.

Lets see if I can recall all the ways posted from the last time this came up.
Slowly close while holding the lever over, then release lever
snap it shut but nicely
slowly close without holding lever over
raise the butt while holding the lever over
raise the butt without holding the lever over

But, seriously...a sxs should be closed as the owner sees fit. It's his gun, and if he wants to operate it a certain way, I have no issues with that as long as it doesn't get pointed at me, my family, my dog, or my friends.