how do you make a dog submissive?

Question

sub·mis·sive /səbˈmɪsɪv/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[suhb-mis-iv] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–adjective 1. inclined or ready to submit; unresistingly or humbly obedient: submissive servants.
2. marked by or indicating submission: a submissive reply.


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[Origin: 1580–90; submiss + -ive]

I would like my dog to be willing to submit, and that would make her submissive.

Answer 1

There is no one way to make a dog "submissive." You really don't want a dog to be submissive, no more than you'd want a person to be submissive to you. Well I'd hope not at least. Dogs need to know who the pack leader is and that's not done by beating. It's a respect thing. You have real problems with a dog when there isn't a pack leader. In the absence of a pack leader a dog tries to become one but doesn't have the knowledge or training to be one. So they act out and do all the wrong things at the wrong times etc. In the wild they aren't born pack leaders they would become the pack leader over time and after years of conditioning. When you are the one training them, feeding them, conditioning them to be the dog you want, that makes them respect you and look at you as Pack Leader.

I like Ceser Milan, I think he's great but I think his 10 minute fixes on the show are misleading. It takes a lot of time and effort to have a well behaved dog, just like it takes a lot of time and effort to have well behaved kids. He is absolutely spot on when he says exercise, exercise, exercise when it comes to dogs. You HAVE to get that energy ran down or it comes out in bad behaviors.

Get yourself and your dog to a good obedience school and start learning how to cohabitat with a dog in a harmonious way. You'll be a better person and you'll have a great relationship with your dog, with animals and with people in general. It not a great leap to see how your dog acts towards you and how others treat you also.

Answer 2

Have you seen the Dog Whisperer with Ceasar Milan? He does it by just making a sound. Just the way you would a class that you teach or kids that you raise. You let them know what is expected of them and keep them within those boundaries. Today a lady had a dog that barked when she swept and blowdried her hair. He had them in a submissive state before she did any of those chores so the dog knew she was the alpha leader. I always take my dogs to obedience school at a local vet. It worked well and they listen to you when they know what's expected. I'm sure you could do that on your own, but it was nice to socialize her too. Like when you are walking and someone is going to pass you. Make the dog sit first. Let the person pass and then go on your way. Little things like control make a big difference!
Good luck!

Answer 3

Some dogs are naturally submissive. With the dogs that challenge me, I flip them on their back and make them stay there (domination). Usually I'll straddle their chest if they struggle, or just stand over them if they lay still, and keep constant eye contact. All the while I'm talking to them in a stern voice: "NO. I am in charge. You do not challenge me." etc etc. Once the dog breaks eye contact I let it up. I do this every time a dog shows aggression to me or anyone the dog's in contact with. Small breeds are easy to flip; larger breeds, like Rotties, GSDs, Labs, etc. take a bit more muscle, but it can be done.

And always, train train train. A dog with good obedience is less likely to need to be dominated.

Answer 4

That is a very generalized question. Without specifics it's very hard to help.
1) Why do you want the dog "submissive"
2) What do you mean by "submissive" (IE, aggression, dis obedience??what?)
3) Information about the dog.

Some dogs are naturally submissive others aren't. Beating your dog makes it fearful, not submissive. As for the dog whisperer that disclaimer is there for a reason. Do not attempt his techniques unless you are very sure of yourself and your ability to do them correctly.

Answer 5

Make them do things that you want them do to. For example, make them sit for a few minutes for no reason at all. Your basically telling them that you can them do whatever you want them to do because you are the boss.

And, if your dog ever shows any aggression towards you, you have to rough him up. Grab him by the scruff of the neck and lay him down, and if he struggles, dig your thumb into him just above his shoulder. You're not trying to wound the dog, but you are demonstrating your superiority to him.

Usually, whenever a dog starts acting independently, just put him through his training exercises - sit, down, come, stay... stuff like that. I think sitting and staying are the most useful exercises in making a dog submissive to you.

Answer 6

I agree with many of the answers about watching Cesar Millan and what he does. To add to that, my sister is a vet tech and a cowgirl. She has 9 dogs on her farm right now, all rescues, and she is always fostering dogs that need homes. The minute she brings a new one to her house she makes them submit by lying on the ground on their back. If they won't do this the easy way she will force them to lay on their back by laying over them until they relax and lay there. Then she lets all the other dogs come up and smell them why they are in that position. If any of the dogs at her house ever gets snappy or riled up about something she does this to them all over again. She's been doing this for years, even before the dog whisperer was around, and its really helped her with all of the dogs that have come in and out of her house.

Answer 7

You don't.

Dogs are pretty much born wired to be dominant or submissive.

if you have a dominant dog you need to put in its place, you do a Nothing In Life is Free program and make them work for everything

Answer 8

Dogs are pack animals, you need to show it who the pack leaders are.

ps how the hell do people answer so fast, this question was posted like 4 min ago and look at the responses

Answer 9

" A dog who knows his place in his human pack is a happy dog. A dog who does not is a confused dog and can exhibit many unwanted behaviors because of it.



1. The people in the family the dog growls at must be the only ones to feed the dog. Give the dog a command before giving them their food. If a dog does not follow the command (i.e. to sit), he does not eat. Try again in about 20 minutes or longer. Repeat this until the dog listens to the command.

2. All humans must eat Before the dogs, as the leader always eats first. When you give your dog its food eat a small snack first while he is watching, lay the snack near the dogs food so that he thinks you are eating out of his bowl (the leader always eats first)

3. No table scraps should be fed to the dogs during a meal.

4. Feedings must be at a scheduled time. (no self feeding dog food dispensers should be used, as this allows The Dog to Choose when he eats.)

5. Humans must not let the dog go through any doorways first. Or up or down the stairs first. Dogs must always go through the doorways or up and down stairs After the humans, as the leader of the pack always goes first. The dog must be told to "stay" and given the command to "come" after all humans have passed through. (Read Training to find out the necessary basic commands all dogs should know. These commands are vital in the communication between you and your dog and should always be taught.)

6. When you have left the house or the room, even for a minute and come back in the room, ignore the dog for a few minutes.

7. A simple obedience command such as “Sit” should be given before any pleasurable interaction with the dog. (i.e. play session, petting, feeding or a walk etc…) The children should give the dogs commands at least once a day and reward with a treat when the command is followed. A simple “Sit” will do. No treat should be awarded if the dog does not follow the command. Show your dog he does not get anything for free. His food, water, treats, even praise/love have to be earned by doing something. Even something as little as sit or come.

8. You should not lay on the floor to watch TV when the dog is around and no one should roll around the floor playing with the dogs, as a human should never put himself in an equal or lesser height position than the dog.

9. You are the one who greets newcomers first, the dog is the last who gets attention (the pack leader is the one who greets newcomers and lets the rest know when it is safe to greet the newcomer)

10. If a dog is laying in your path, the dog Must get up and move out of your way. Do not step over the dog even if you can. In the wild, the pack leader always makes the lower dogs in the pack move.

11. During the time you are establishing your higher pack position, no hugs should be given to the dog by you, as a dominant dog may consider this a challenge of power.

12. If you establish eye contact with the dog, the dog must avert his gaze first. If the human averts first this reinforces the dogs higher power position. Tell the children Not to have staring contest with the dog, as if they avert or blink first, it will only reinforce, in the dogs mind, that He is Top Dog.

13. Dogs must not sleep in your bed. The comfortable bed is reserved for the higher humans.

14. Dogs must never be allowed to mouth or bite anyone at any time, including in play.

15. Any attention given to the dog, including petting should be given when the Human decides attention is to be given (absolutely No Petting when the dog nudges or paws you or your hand. This would be letting the dog decide and reinforcing, in his mind, that he is higher on the scale than the human.)

16. Games of fetch or play with toys must be Started and Ended by the Human.

17. Dogs should not be allowed to lie on your furniture, as the leader of the pack always gets the most comfortable spot. Dogs belong on the floor.

18. No tug-of-war, as this is a game of power and you may lose the game giving the dog a reinforcement (in the dog's mind) of top dog.

19. Dogs need to be taught a “Drop it” or release command. Any objects the dog has in his possession should be able to be taken away by all humans.

20. Dogs own no possessions, everything belongs to the humans. They are all on "loan" from the human family. You should be able to handle or remove any item at all times from the dog with no problems from the dog. Even if you are taking a chicken bone out of the dog's mouth.

21. Dogs should not be allowed to pull on the leash. When they do this they are leading the way and it is the humans that need to lead the way and show they're higher up in the pack order. (In the wild, the leader of the pack always leads the way; the leader leads the hunt.)

22. When on a walk, a dog must not be allowed to sniff or eliminate anywhere he wishes. One marking against a tree is enough for male dogs.

23. Small dogs or puppies who demand to be picked up or put down should Not get what they want until they sit or do another acceptable quiet behavior. They should not be put down unless they are settled quietly in your arms.

24. Dogs should Never be left unsupervised with children or Anyone who cannot maintain leadership over the dog. "

Answer 10

Not kidding, my husband gets down on the floor and growls at the pup to let them know who is the top dog. It's about the pecking order.