Submissive Behavior

Submissive Dog Behavior What it is and How to Fix it

Submissive dog behavior is not necessarily a sign that a particular dog is the submissive type. All dogs have this ability, even dominant ones. In some cases, the behavior is acceptable, but in others it is not desirable.

What are the signs of submissive dog behavior?

Submission is demonstrated in a number of way. First, let's look at the signs that are more indicative of a truly submissive dog. These are dogs that use this behavior to avoid confrontation. It is common among dogs that have been abused or that feel threatened, even when no abuse is present. For instance, owners who yell at their dogs will cause them to become submissive at least part of the time.

A highly submissive dog will do whatever necessary to appear small by crouching and cowering with its ears flattened against the head and tail between the legs to cover their scent glands and hide their identity. Many dogs will roll onto their backs with their eyes wide and protruding. The whites of their eyes becomes prominent and their pupils are dilated.

Submissive dogs will respond in a number of ways, including:

- Jumping up

- Hugging the ground (shrinking)

- Tail between their legs

- Licking people, usually on the face

- Passing urine

- Rolling on their backs

- Offering a paw

- Nudging their owners with their noses

- Licking its lips

Now let's look at the playful submissive dog behavior.

One common behavior that most people immediately identify as an invitation to play begins in puppyhood. They lower the front of their bodies, stretch their paws out and raise their rear ends high. This has been called the "play bow".

Some of the above signs also indicate submissive dog behavior, but in a good way. Dogs that want attention will roll over for you to scratch their bellies, lick their owners, use nudging to invite a stroke or a game and jump up.

The difference between the two groups is that dogs that use Submissive Behavior frequently as a form of self-protection are intimidated easily. Dogs that use it on occasion are simply acting normally in an effort to get time with their owners.

How to stop submissive dog behavior

Sometimes, owners inadvertently encourage it. When their dogs roll over, they automatically rub it's stomach. To stop this dog behavior, do not submit. Walk away and wait until your dog calms down before petting him.

Treat your dog with kindness. Be calm and assertive, rather than frustrated and angry. Use your normal voice, rather than yelling orders at your dog. Praise him when he does well and obeys. Ignore him when he doesn't.

When he shows submissive dog behavior, like rolling onto his back, ignore him. When he changes his stature, approach him on his level - get down and pet him. He'll soon get the point.

For more great dog training tips and resources to help you train your dog, or puppy, visit Dogs Training Manual Review Site at http://DogsTrainingMadeEasy.com

Are some male bearded dragons not threatened by other males?
My male yellow bearded dragon is about a year old now. My boyfriend and I recently acquired his sister's 5-6 month old bearded dragon, who is also a male. For obvious reasons, we keep them in separate enclosures, but to see what they would do, we let them look at each other today. The younger male is very active and hyper, and when he saw our dragon, he immediately puffed out, bobbed his head, and turned his beard pitch black. Our dragon, on the other hand, watched him very carefully, but otherwise did nothing to indicate dominate or submissive behavior. Is this normal? Our dragon is very mellow and sweet (lets anyone hold him, has NEVER bitten or tried to bite, and is moderately curious). I've never heard of two males coming together with simply NO reaction from one of them.

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Overly submissive behavior in my dog?
I got my dog, Jade as an 8-week old puppy a year and 2 months ago. She has always been very submissive to my bf and I, but when we try to play with her toys with her she becomes overly submissive. She will usually play tug-o-war with you for a few minutes and she might even fetch the toy 4-5 times BUT suddenly her whole demeanor changes drastically and she will lower her head and go lay down. I don't understand this behavior at all. Is it simply bad genetics since she is a BYB mutt? Or is there something I can do to correct the behavior? We are always very careful not to upset her when playing with her, but it doesn't make a difference. Thanks for any input you all have on this! She acts like she does when she's in trouble. Tucks her tail, lowers head, goes and lays down. @Malamute: Uhm my dog does not pee in the house. Did you even read my question??? @Ellowyne: Thanks for the help, but I don't think that's it. Jade has a ton of energy. I take her for runs and long walks almost everyday and she is pulling me the whole way! When we get home she's like well now what?! lol

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Is my dog's submissive behavior unfavorable?
My dog is an odd dog to say the least. Or perhaps not all that odd. I was trying to train him just before. He doesnt not like water, ie the pool, sprinklers, showers, or even sprays. No water except whats in his bowl to drink. Perhaps that is the reason, but im not sure. It was early and i took him out for an early training session. The sprinklers in the yard were on. At first he was fine, doing as i wanted, but as the ten minute period dragged on he became more and more submissive. First when i told him to come he would come, sit, be rewarded, etc. Soon when i told him to come he started lying on his side and would only come if i lowered myself to the ground. Soon after that he would not come at all. Then he started to go back into his little spot in the yard and go on his back. I'm not sure exactly what this means, or if it was just the early hour mixed with the sprinklers that threw him off, but i do know that he should not be so submissive to not listen to me at all, correct? Is this behavior normal? He is a german Shepherd mix, if that affects anything. I just want to get him to learn heel, and eventually offleash heel, for when my parents move away. Any pointers/comments/suggestions? Also, if it helps, my dog is rather submissive with other dogs. If we bring him there he wont even try to interfere with the other dog, and when the other dogs are here, he plays like normal, but the other dog dominates quickly. He is not dominated by our cat, but he has been easily dominated by other cats. (my cat is rather submissive too. he chases him around constantly.) Dominated by others dogs i.e. male dogs humping him and him just lying on his back almost immediately. When the cats were dominating him they were hissing at him and cornered him into a room and wouldn't let him leave. The younger cats were afraid but the oldest was being really threatening, though not physically aggressive and he was being a baby.

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Are my dogs afraid of me?
I have 4 Rottweilers and yesterday one of the females growled at the other. She was showing her teeth and had her hackles raised. So just to see her reaction I did the same thing to her. I smiled and growled and she fell over on to her back and was wagging her tail. I know that in wolf society showing your belly is a submissive behavior. So I can only assume it would be the same with dogs. Does that mean she is afraid of me or does it mean she respects my position as master/alpha?

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Possibly the most stupid and dangerous dog training method I have ever heard of?
Watched a re-run of It's Me or the Dog and Victoria was working with a family that owned 3 Great Danes and one of the danes had a biting problem. Her method for getting him to stop was to "squeal and back off." Think about this. A dog is biting you and you squeal and move away from him. That's a submissive behavior in the eyes of a dog and sure the dog stops biting at first but that's basically telling the dog "hey you're the alpha I'm staying out of your way." Correct me if I'm wrong but wont the dog start becoming more dominant? What do you think?

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