Submissive Dog Behavior

A submissive dog behavior can be observed through many different signs. Dogs with such a behavior tend to cower down at the very sight of people. It tries to avoid others and prefers to live in a cocoon of its own. Such dogs may also exhibit extreme submissiveness by urinating even if they are touched or the owner pats them. Up to a certain extent, submissive behavior is not considered to be a problem at all. Dogs are followers and human beings own them; it is an understood thing. It is only when submissiveness exceeds greatly, that this dog behavioral problem starts. The Beagles, Basset Hounds, Golden Retrievers and Irish Setters are few of the submissive dog breeds. Let us understand more about dog care for the submissive ones.

Submissive Behavior in Dogs

The submissive behavior in dogs is displayed through following actions or behavioral traits.

• Submissive dogs tend to lower their body towards the ground.
• These meek and 'soft' dogs at times, offer their paws to the owner in order to shake hands.
• Such dogs try to kiss the owner's face.

The dominating nature of owners also has an effect on the behavior of dogs. The owner may not always act in an aggressive manner intentionally; however, it affects the dog for sure. Looking directly into the eyes of dogs is one such act which increases their anxiety. While approaching a dog one should try to stoop and get down to its height.

Behavior with Other Dogs
The dogs which exhibit a submissive behavior with other individuals of its kind should be trained properly to overcome their anxiety problems. It is not advisable to expose them to aggressive or pushy dogs. These dogs should instead, be trained at home. The dog training methods presented in the section given below should be used to build up their confidence. The next step would be to expose them to quiet dogs or those which are not very aggressive.

How to Change the Submissive Behavior?
The instructions presented below should be useful in making a dog, confident in nature. Communicating with the dogs properly is of utmost importance. Being friendly with these creatures is one of the best submissive dog communication which helps develop their confidence.

Massage: One has to be very careful in trying out the massage therapy. The dog shouldn't feel that it is kind of a punishment. The massage therapy has a calming effect through the release of enkephalins and endorphins. Massage should begin with the back. Sides of the body, neck and legs should follow next. Finally, the head and belly should be massaged.

Submission Exercise & Dominant Role Play
These activities should help raise a dog's confidence to great extent. In the submission exercise, one should take his dog to the floor. Placing the head beneath dog's neck is the act which may help in reducing the submissive behavior of dogs. In such a position, the dog considers itself to be in a much more dominant position. The one thing which needs to be kept in mind is that a dog should not be forced to do anything. Once the dog gets habitual to this form of exercise, it is advisable to move towards the activity of dominant role play.

The dominant role play activity goes one step ahead of the submission exercise. In this activity, the dog is allowed to stand over you. The position is very similar to that of a baby standing/laying on the stomach of its parents. Rubbing the dog gently (or massaging) while in this position is advisable; it helps in comforting the poor creature.

The information presented through this article should be helpful in dealing with the problem of submissive dog behavior. One should care for these dogs a bit more than the normal ones.