On SW for 1 year, I regularly have lost references on my assemblies, as soon as I modify a part like below, where the dough has shrunk by 2 mm high, the nut that is constrained against this paste loses its reference. Is this normal? Isn't there a parameter somewhere to solve my problem?
The question is how did you make the change? If it's just a change of side, it's not normal. On the other hand, as soon as you modify a sketch for example (replacing one line by another is not innocent), you should expect this kind of thing.
It's not normal but it all depends on whether you have the same reference for the paw or not.
If your ASM changes his name it's normal because he thinks it's a new part and therefore can't find the reference of the leg.
Could you without showing the part if it's confidential, at least take us at least a screenshot of the creation tree and also tell us what you do to change the thickness of the leg.