How did she get this way?

• 05-16-2008 8:21 PM

  mollymoo Joined on 09-10-2006 Posts 1,391 Points 860

  How did she get this way? Reply Contact A week ago today we brought Bella home. She is 2 years old. At the shelter they brought her outside so her and Molly could met each other.  They put Bella down on the ground she laid over on her back. I got down on my knees to great her and she came over to me and laid down on her back again. We brought her home and if you want to pet her she lays on her back, put her collar and leash on her she lays on her back, pick her up she lays on her back. I know that this is a sign of submission but what has made her do this all the time. What can I do to stop her from doing this. I must add she doesn`t do this for Molly just people - all people.  The Father said I've turned my own name back to front and called you dog, My friend. -Author Unknown

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• 05-16-2008 8:27 PM

  In reply to mollymoo

  glenmar Joined on 09-10-2007 Northwestern Michigan Posts 11,511 Points 405

  Re: How did she get this way? Reply Contact Didn't you say she'd had several homes in her short life?  That could be part of it.....and she could have had an experience that taught her that she NEEDS to be submissive.  I'd just give her time to feel safe and loved.  Remember, she's tried to feel safe and loved before and none of those times worked out....... A house without fur is not a home. Glenda

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• 05-16-2008 8:27 PM

  In reply to mollymoo

  FourIsCompany Joined on 07-30-2007 Posts 4,738 Points 1,135

  Re: How did she get this way? Reply Contact It could be that she is just an extremely submissive dog. She might stop doing it so much if you don't approach her. If you let her settle into her new environs for a while, she might start to realize that she doesn't have to submit to every single person all the time, but it may take some time. The best thing to do is not give her a reason to feel that you're in a dominant position. In other words, ignore her more. Sounds like just looking at this girl triggers submissive feelings. Try not looking at her or talking to her. Go ahead and sit down and let her come to you and even climb on your lap. Once she feels comfy, then you can look at her, speak to her and pet her. LSTM (Laughing Silently to Myself) Click Daily to Give Free Food and Care to Animals: http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=3

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• 05-16-2008 8:33 PM

  In reply to FourIsCompany

  tzu_mom Joined on 09-10-2007 midwest Posts 535 Points 0	Re: How did she get this way? Reply Contact I agree--could just be a submissive dog.  I know a Havanese like this----always rolling over on her back.  She is now a little over a year old and the behavior has lessened to the point that it now only happens when she meets new people, or someone she has not seen in a while, and also when she encounters new surroundings.
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• 05-17-2008 11:43 AM

  In reply to tzu_mom

  calliecritturs Joined on 09-10-2007 Central Florida Posts 7,298 Points 1,975

  Re: How did she get this way? Reply Contact Maybe I'm being too practical but if you have to put a leash on her, etc. you can't ignore her.  I'd keep cheerios or something in my pocket and when you approach her, hold the cheerio close to her nose and say "C'mon and sit!" with the cheerio as a lure.  Once she achieves the 'sit' THEN wax effusive and tell her how great THAT is!  What a NICE sit!!  Wow (chest and neck scratches when she's sitting).  Soon she'll sit on your approach. Be aware -- as time passes you may see a different dog.  The first two -four weeks are the honeymoon and you may begin to see why she was tossed around.  The hyper submission may simply have been what she did after she was scolded and got her positive stuff and she's got all the positive stuff out b/c she wants to stay.  She's probably pretty scared of screwing up.

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• 05-17-2008 12:36 PM

  In reply to mollymoo

  Angelique Joined on 10-04-2006 Posts 1,248 Points 200

  Re: How did she get this way? Reply Contact Most of the time and on a more primal level, this can definately be a submissive behavior. However, many dogs move into doing this on a more cognative, strategic, or even playful level. Some dogs will do this to manipulate humans. Even a more "dominant by nature" dog (or wolf) may do this in play or to manipulate, IME. Pay attention to the action/reaction sequence. Does the dog initiate certain behaviors in humans (such as laughter or belly-rubs) by doing this? Is the dog rewarded for manipulating? You might use marker (or clicker) training to put the behavior on cue and then chain it into another behavior.   "Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds" Albert Einstein "There's a fine line between fishing and standing on the bank looking stupid"

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• 05-17-2008 9:16 PM

  In reply to Angelique

  mollymoo Joined on 09-10-2006 Posts 1,391 Points 860

  Re: How did she get this way? Reply Contact Didn't you say she'd had several homes in her short life?  Yes this is her third home. Be aware -- as time passes you may see a different dog.  The first two -four weeks are the honeymoon and you may begin to see why she was tossed around.  The hyper submission may simply have been what she did after she was scolded and got her positive stuff and she's got all the positive stuff out b/c she wants to stay.  She's probably pretty scared of screwing up. I hope this isn`t the calm before the storm Pay attention to the action/reaction sequence. Does the dog initiate certain behaviors in humans (such as laughter or belly-rubs) by doing this? Is the dog rewarded for manipulating? Yes DH always gives her a belly rub when she does this. I use to but I stopped and just tell her to get up and walk away from her. She then gets up. I have taught her to sit ( with treats) so now when I think she is going down I tell her to sit. Its hard to put a collar and leash on a upside down dog. Today Bella and I were out in the back yard to go potty. She loves to run and jump but I forgot to take a toy with us so I picked up a stick to throw for her to go get. She cowered and laid down when she saw the stick in my hand. I think she has had some hard times in her short life. The Father said I've turned my own name back to front and called you dog, My friend. -Author Unknown

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• 05-17-2008 10:18 PM

  In reply to mollymoo

  nadinetreadway Joined on 09-10-2007 Posts 183 Points 0

  Re: How did she get this way? Reply Contact Not sure that I have any constructive input but just wanted to let you know that we have the same situtation here. We adopted a 10 year old beagle lady about 4 months ago and she does the exact same thing. She rolls on her back for EVERYONE. Not necessisarly dogs but pretty much every person she meets. She was in her foster home for almost 8 months and did the same thing there. They weren't sure where she came from (she was found as a stray) but she doesn't seem to be afraid of anyone. She LOVES being petted. She will flop herself down in anybodys lap and automatically roll over on her back in the process. It may have started as submissive behavior but now she may have figured out that her belly gets rubbed whenever she does this with new people (I try to ignore it). I completely understand about putting a leash on an upside down dog :)... Phoebe has long beagley ears so they get in the way as well.

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• 05-19-2008 12:53 AM

  In reply to nadinetreadway

  willowchow Joined on 09-10-2007 Posts 6,321 Points 300

  Re: How did she get this way? Reply Contact Well, this isn't professional advice or anything but I think that as time goes by she's going to realize that one you aren't going to hurt her and two she doesn't need to do that every time you interact with her.  It may always not take much for her to roll over like that but I think it will decrease as time goes by.  It may take her several months to adjust and feel comfortable.  When Willow first came here she was the opposite, very growly every time we moved.  Because she didn't know what to expect.  So, I think you are on the right path making her do something else instead of the rolling.  It will definately help her to know what she needs to do to make you happy.  Good luck with Bella--she is sooo cute, she looks like a stuffed animal!!

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• 05-19-2008 2:55 AM

  In reply to Angelique

  chelsea_b Joined on 09-10-2007 Costa Mesa, CA Posts 2,741 Points 280

  Re: How did she get this way? Reply Contact I have to agree that this isn't always a sign of a submissive dog. Cherokee, once she's fairly comfortable with someone, rolls on her back a LOT. Doesn't always mean she's submitting to them. In fact, if she's not SUPER comfy with them and they try to touch her, she's liable to growl. I don't know why she puts herself in a position to be and feel so vulnerable, but she does. A lot. She really doesn't do it to me a lot anymore, except when she actually just wants a belly rub, and I'm gonna have to say she's submissive to me. Soo I really don't get it..but I'm inclined to say it's not always a submissive gesture... Chelsea &

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