submissive with other dogs

[Discussing Labradoodles & Goldendoodles]

How do I know if my dog is too submissive with other dogs?

Noah is a very friendly, mellow puppy. He's 6.5 months and 21lbs. He has been well-socialized and loves all people and dogs. He really isn't afraid of much and does not startle very easily since he lives in NYC and has been exposed to lots of sights and sounds at a young age. But, I am a bit concerned that Noah may be too submissive with other dogs.

When another dog approaches Noah, Noah will take a few sniffs of the other dog, and then sits down so the other dog can sniff him - I've actually seen him sit and open his legs so other dogs can sniff him down there. If the dog continues to sniff him, he'll roll over onto his back. He does this both for very small dogs and large dogs. He lies completely still and remains that way until the dog leaves him - it seriously looks like he's playing dead. He's 21lbs and usually the biggest dog at the small dog park, but still rolls over for the small dogs (the other day he rolled over for a 3lb chihuahua). He likes to greet all of the dogs at the park, and will usually run from dog to dog to say hi, but most of the time he ends up on his back! I was walking him home from the dog park yesterday and we passed a woman with a gorgeous golden retriever / great pyrenees mix and all of a sudden I felt a lot of resistance on the leash. I looked over my shoulder and Noah was on his back letting the other dog sniff him. I actually dragged him a few inches before I realize he was on his back - he must have rolled over as soon as the other dog tried to sniff him.

Does anyone's dog do this? Is this just a phase? Should I pull him up so he's not on his back? On a few occasions when he has been on his back, a dominant dog will see this and will run over to him and try to sit on him, jump on him, and not let him get up. My trainers said that some dogs will take advantage of "lower ranking dogs".

[GBK]

Kona does this too Jane, and sometimes she still piddles a little :) She does it less and less as she gets older, but just this weekend at class my trainers newfy that does not come to class as often as the rest of her dogs, had Kona rolling over and if she hadn't already went potty I am sure by her stance she would have gone then! Kona will be 2yo in July.

Kona also will roll on the floor to play with dogs her size or smaller, but she starts off on her back and then starts to paw at them to play. I think as Noah get's older he will get more confident, he is showing the older dogs he understands he is younger and they have a higher status. If the dog is big and about to sit or step on Noah, just move in and remove him from the situation. This happens to me with Kona as well because she loves all sizes of dogs and some of the BIG puppies do not realize just how big they are LOL
Gina
Gina

[Sandy]

Toby likes meeting dogs his size or smaller, but seems afraid of bigger dogs. He will actually come and lay between mine of my husband's legs. The other day he was hiding under a park bench at the dog park. I think he's smart to know when he is not comfortable. He is not aggressive to other dogs in any way, and often ends up like Noah - on the ground, on his back.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

I do think it is more of a doodle trait to roll on thier backs. At the romps I have been to the doodles both wrestle and roll on their backs.

[nonnie browne]

He is absolutely being submissive to other dogs. Don't consider this to be a bad thing - not all people are alphas in the world, and neither are all dogs. Size of dog does not matter, many small and toy breeds, esp terriers, are bossy little things. You are doing great things! You are continuing to expose him to new situations, but you are there to keep his safe. You should not feel the need to intervene unless Noah is in danger - that is what you are there for. The dog's booty sniffing is their way of introduction, however weird it seems to us. It is direct eye to eye contact that is considered rude and confrontational to dogs. Noah is a kid, is acting gently like a kid, and as he ages, he may become more confident, still submit but less emphatically, or he may always be like this. You don't want him scared, but dont worry if he is eager for a booty-sniffing greeting! There is a great book The Other End of the Leash, by Patricia McConnell, dog behaviorist that goes into this in great and interesting detail - that is my source and it helped me understand things so much better!

[Eileen Ross and Cody]

Cody is a Super friendly dog. He also rolls on his back at times when dogs come to greet him. (I have found he does this only with dogs he is interested in playing with.) He will then start to play with them. I do find that alot of dogs, (large and very small like to mount him. Fortunately the other owners step in. Being a novice doodle owner, I'm not sure but could it be because he is so fluffy? I am finding some smaller dogs love to "cuddle" with him

[nonnie browne]

Mounting behavior in dogs is a show of dominance like a person "strutting". It says, I am cooler and tougher than you. "unless it is an intact male mounting a female in heat) Dog owners with alpha dogs who mount need to correct the behavior. Our dogs get mounted because they are submissive. Some will sit there and "take it", others will just walk away, like "shoo fly", "get off me".

Dogs who wish to engage each other in play, will usually sniff first for a while, then one will "bow" to the other. A dog bow is a request to play. Just think of kids at the playground who are meeting for the first time. Once dogs "know each other", they are more inclined to skip the intros and get right to it!

Dogs should always be supervised by their owners, most especially when meeting each other for the first time. Just like people, sometimes even dogs with a friendly nature and history of great play, decide to dislike one another. Mostly they will "walk away" but if they do not, they need us to intervene.

[Mommy2Max]

My dog will try and mount any size dog, people, toys and air! I just got him neutered and he is still humping away! Everytime he tries to "hump" I say "NO" and make him go to down position. I also say "play nice". It has helped but, I'll be honest, I'm afraid he will not break the habit.

[Carole (*Koda*Monty*Bindi)]

Oh Jane, Noah is such a sweetie :) I think he's just being polite.LOL You've taught him wonderful manners :)!

I actually saw this happen at the dog park last week with a dog twice the size of Gaston! (which is saying ALOT!) His owner walked him up and the very second a dog came over to greet him he rolled on his back with his feet straight up in the air! He did this EVERY time a dog approached him. When Gaston-Cramer went up to say hi it was such a hoot. Gaston "flops" on all he greets. Truly, a little hop and flop! When this dog instantly rolled on his back for Gaston, Gaston just looked at him and seemed to say to himself "ok.....I'll just flop on your tummy!" and he did! LOL The other dogs just seemed to accept that this was the way the dog was. In this case, there wasn't a pecking order or weakness perceived---it just was the way the dog was! LOL

[Adina P]

That's hilarious! One dog flopped on his back, the other on his belly...

[Mommy2Max]

Max will paw at the dog's face. Then, he runs away and acts scared which lasts for about 30 seconds before he heads back to paw at them again. I *think* he is being a tease and trying to get them to chase him or he is overstimulated and unsure of how to act.