Fearful But Not Aggressive

[Gwinganna]

Gypsy has from the day I got her exibited submissive behavior. Good natured friendly and happy, but submissive. Not fearful around humans, but on occasion quite fearful around other, older, bigger dogs. Her first reaction is to flop on her back

I figured it was because she was young and I made sure she had calm, positive meetings with other dogs, puppy pre-school etc etc but she is always very much the submissive one in a meeting. She will still flop on her back for people too - I don't know if it's becasue she LOVES tummy rubs or not, but I suspect that ongoing submissivemess is an issue. I try to ignore her when she flops. If I say sit and then go to pat-reward and praise and she flops, I turn my back. Is that the right thing to do? It doesn't seem to impact the behaviour.

What's the best way to attenuate this and make he a little more confidant and less likely to flop on her back all the time? Other people think it's cute, but I think there is a root behavioral cause I would rather not encourage.

[Kirty]

I would put some more time into training her - training seems to give dogs confidence. My BC x was very fearful as a pup and it took 12 months of solid obedience and socialising to get her "right". Now you would never know.

For a while, I would not use a pat for a reward. I have had to do this with my other dog because when you pat him, he goes nuts! So I just say "good boy" and thats enough for him. My trainer told me that you need to do this with some dogs because a pat is "too much". If that makes sense!

As for her submission with other dogs, I don't think its too much of an issue. Just make sure other dogs don't take advantage of her submissiveness. Keep up with the training and socialising and I think you'll see her improve. How old is she BTW?

[Gwinganna]

She is 4 months soon. Still just a baby really. I just don't want to let it go too long and become an ingrained habit. Thanks for the suggestions.

EDIT: the other thing is, becasue she is small and cute, people do the "Ohh look at da cute widdle puuuuuppppiiiieee, come here, oh aren't you a cutie oh yes oh yes!" and suddently you've got a grovelling wriggling idiot dog. I have started to ask people very politiely (ie, our friends etc) to please not encourage her to roll over, and if she wants a pat she has to say "please" by sitting nicely.

People seem to treat small dogs differently. No one ever carried on over my old GSD like that. Big dogd get more respect, and I think that helps them act more dignified like.

Edited September 3, 2007 by Gwinganna

[WreckitWhippet]

Maybe this is a product of her parents and her upbringing, there are critical times in a puppies development. Was she raised in the house, with noise and attention ? were her parents both of excellent outgoing temperament ? did you see both of her parents and meet them ? This could shed quite a bit of light , as to why she is the way she is.

Also what did your breeder suggest ?

[Gwinganna]

I had a good exchange with the breeder on the lovemypet forum. She was raised in the house, and hustle bustle and noise leaves her completely unfazed. I never met her parents of course, but you know that Warley. She is very calm and good natured. People can't believe how young she is because she is quite contained, if you know what I mean. Playful, but not silly, well not usually :-) It's the rolling on her back thing is all I am looking at, I'm probably being pretty picky. You're right though Warley, it would be better if I had been able to observe the parents. This is the first time I have bought a dog long distance so to speak, and was the most disquieting part of it actually.