I am at my girlfriend's house quite a bit. She has a dog that is quite ill-tempered and not friendly toward most people. She doesn't bite, but if someone who she does not know well tries to touch her, she exposes her teeth and growels. However, whenever I bend down to give her a scratch behind the ear, she rolls over onto her back with her feet in the air. I don't know what else to do, so I give her a rub on her stomach and she stays put as long as I'm there. It the stomach rub what she is looking for? I find this odd because there are only about 2 other people (my girlfriend and her sister) who are allowed to even touch her.
2007-06-12 08:10:42 · 25 answers · asked by fg 2 in Pets ➔ Dogs
Rolling onto her back is submissive behavior. Or it was to begin with. By now she could just be looking for the tummy rub!
2007-06-12 08:14:36 · answer #1 · answered by 5gr8k9s 5 · 4⤊ 0⤋
When dogs show their belly's they are showing submission. If you are around a lot then you are no longer a stranger so there would be no reason for her to be defensive towards you, the growling and showing of the teeth, but you still may be intimidating to her especially if she is a small dog or hasn't been socialized much. You are doing exactly what you should do, when she rolls over be kind and rub her belly, to show her that she is being good by not attempting to be dominant (biting or growling at you)... Dogs don't think exactly like we do so you have to keep that in mind too, good luck.
2007-06-12 08:19:42 · answer #2 · answered by IwazH.e.R.e! 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
You should feel lucky! The dog has accepted you as part of the family. She is rolling over as an act of submission and trust toward you. You are her person's person, so she has learned to trust you. Exposing her belly is showing you the great amount of trust she has in you- - a very vulnerable position for a dog. So, keep up the belly scratching and feel proud that the dog likes you!
2007-06-12 08:17:36 · answer #3 · answered by magix151 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
By rolling over and exposing its belly, the dog is acknowledging that you are dominant over it. This behavior can also be seen in wild canines like wolves and coyotes. By exposing their weakest point, the dogs show the dominant member of the pack that they are trusting and submissive. Because you are at your girlfriends a lot. the dog is showing you that he recognizes you as a member of his "pack", or family, and that you are above him in status. By rubbing his belly, you are both reinforcing his behavior, and showing him that you are kind and gentle and will not take advantage of him in such a prone position. Unknowingly, you have become the master of the pack! Keep up the good work!
2007-06-12 08:22:16 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
This is a sign of submission. She recognizes that you are higher in the pack order. She probably also likes the belly rubs you provide. She will not get up unti you "allow" it so don't make her stay down too long. Be grateful it is not accompanied by submissive urination! :)
Good for you as it sounds like the dog does not trust everyone...
2007-06-12 08:16:22 · answer #5 · answered by Karen W 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋
The dog is submitting to you utterly... thats why you can pet her. When a dog rolls over on their back at the approach of a person it means that person has done well in asserting dominance and is alpha over the dog. Maybe you dont give the dog attention alot and you are aloof most of the time, as well as calm and assured... thats the attitude that gains a dogs respect and makes you an alpha in their eyes.
2007-06-12 08:38:45 · answer #6 · answered by Kelly + Eternal Universal Energy 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
that is a good thing when a dog rolls over and exposes their stomach. that is 100% the MOST submissive gesture a dog can give to a human. meaning they like you and are allowing you to be in control and most importantly they are showing that they trust you enough that they feel comfortable being in such a vulnerable position(for a dog) and knowing you wont harm them. but it definetly adds sugar to the cake rubbing their belly. dogs love that, but only let people they trust do it.
2007-06-12 08:22:30 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
the dog is showing submissiveness, when a dog shows its belly in the wild it is showing that it is not the dominant animal in the pack, by doing this the dog is considering you the alpha male of the group, because dogs that live with people still revert to the nature of the pack, there is an alpha male and alpha female and anyone that is an outsider is below them in rank so the dog will try to prove its dominance over the newcomer to keep its place in the pack
2007-06-12 08:19:29 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
i have a female chihuahua and she came from an abusive house hold, the dog your talking about sounds just like her it took a long time to earn her trust. but when she is playing and running around if we go to touch her she falls over and shows us her belly most of the time its out of fear that small breed dogs do this and some times they just want a tummy rub but it sounds to me like he or she i scared. another way to tell is if they put there tail between there legs when they roll over but i hope you got some what of an answer from this have a good one dessy.
2007-06-12 08:38:53 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well it evidently senses something about you. That's submission she's exhibiting. By laying on her back and exposing her tender parts (belly) she's showing that she know's you are the alpha dog. Yeah, the belly rub probably feels good too!
2007-06-12 08:15:20 · answer #10 · answered by JaguarWoman 3 · 4⤊ 0⤋