Dogs rely on communication through body language rather than spoken words, making it crucial to interpret their message in the right context to avoid misunderstandings or mistakes. Their behavior is intuitive, influenced by wolf ancestry, social structure, and hierarchy, where an alpha leads and the lowest ranking dog shows submission. Various triggers, situations, and environmental factors, including the presence of other dogs, affect their response, shaping their interaction and relationship with humans.
Dogs display submissive behaviors through posture, such as crouching, lying belly up, tucked-in tail positioning, and avoiding eye contact to show respect instead of challenging or confronting. Their ears positioning, direct gaze, and wagging act as signaling cues, while playing fosters affection, love, safety, and a balanced, tranquil household. Dog whimpering can also be a sign of submission or emotional expression, helping communicate discomfort, stress, or the need for reassurance. Recognizing these signs helps them understand, address, and manage their emotions, ensuring harmony and boosting confidence for their emotional well-being. A well-maintained dynamic reduces fear, prevents aggression, and keeps dogs comfortable in their environment.
Submissive Dog Behaviors: Harmless or Hidden Fear– The Answer
9 Signs of Submissive Behavior in Dogs
1. Belly-Up Gesture
- When a dog rolls over and shows its belly, it might seem like an invitation to rub them, but this is often a sign of submission. In the wild, wolves use this to communicate with dominant pack members, signaling they don’t want conflict.
- Some dogs enjoy this gesture, while anxious or reactive dogs may feel threatened, especially if someone leans over them while they are exposed. If a dog growls or snarls, it’s a clear message asking for space, not attention.
- Misreading this signal can lead to being snapped at or even bitten, so it’s essential to approach cautiously and ensure they feel comfortable before assuming they want affection. Whining can sometimes accompany these signals, indicating discomfort or anxiety, and should be taken as a cue to give the dog space.
2. Uncontrolled Urination in Dogs
- Some dogs, especially puppies, may involuntarily urinate when feeling threatened or intimidated, particularly during interactions with dominant individuals. This behavior is often mistaken for regular urination or marking, but it’s a response to social stress.
- While most dogs grow out of it by adulthood, others may need training and positive reinforcement to gain confidence and overcome fear or insecurity.
- Yelling at a dog for this issue will only worsen the problem, so it’s best to discourage it through patience. Taking them outside upon seeing you can help, but avoid scolding, as it may worsen the habit instead of stopping it.
3. Avoiding Eye Contact as a Sign of Submission
- A dog avoiding direct eye contact shows submission, not a threat or challenge to dominance.
- Staring can seem aggressive, so dogs look away to communicate respect and prevent conflict.
- A stiff posture, turning the eyes, or lowering the body signals no interest in asserting authority.
- This behavior, often accompanied by subtle cues, isn’t a lack of confidence but a survival instinct.
4. Tail Position and Movement
- One clear sign of submissive behavior in dogs is how they carry their tails. A lowered or tucked tail, often held tight against the body, can indicate that a dog is anxious, uncertain, or even fearful in a situation.
- Many people assume that a wagging tail always signifies a happy and relaxed dog, but that’s not always true. If the wagging is low and fast, it might be an attempt to appease rather than a sign of excitement.
- In contrast, when a dog is truly excited, their tail moves in a different way—often held high in the air with a loose, confident motion.
5. Lowering the Body to Show Submission
- Dogs may try to make themselves smaller by getting close to the ground as a reaction to fear or to appear non-threatening in certain situations.
- Both adult dogs and puppies use this behavior to avoid harm, show submission, and respect a dominant individual.
- Signs include lowering the body, tucking the tail between the legs, avoiding eye contact, rolling onto the belly, grinning, and pulling back their lips—all are signs your dog trusts you.
- Recognizing these signals helps owners understand, communicate, and build a stronger bond with their pets, ensuring they feel secure and comfortable.
6. Lip-Licking as a Sign of Submission
- submissive behavior in dogs includes licking lips, a common sign of appeasement and submission.
- This form of social communication is derived from puppies that begged for milk and food and later evolved in adult dogs to avoid confrontation.
- A fear-based reaction, it shows nervousness, especially when facing a dominant individual or a frightening situation.
- If your four-legged friend frequently does this, carefully assess if they feel afraid, as excessive licking lips can be one of the signs your dog doesn’t like you.
7. Licking the Muzzle of Another Dog
- Dogs often lick each other’s muzzle to communicate respect, especially when meeting or known to each other for a long time.
- This normal behavior helps canines calm down and shows they wish to avoid confrontation.
- Licking the muzzle indicates a desire to encourage the other dog to relax and is a peaceful gesture, whether dogs live together or just met.
- No need to intervene when this is happening, as it’s a sign of showing respect and peaceful intentions.
8. Friendly Grins and Submissive Smiles
- A dog may greet family members, guests, or visitors with a grin and teeth bared, showing submission, not aggression.
- This submissive smile signals friendliness, approachability, and a desire to interact without threat.
- Their body appears relaxed, reinforcing the invitation to engage in a friendly greeting.
9. Socialization and Environment
- A dog’s upbringing, environment, and early socialization shape its behavior and submissive tendencies.
- Inadequate exposure, past trauma, or negative experiences create coping mechanisms, and habits, and increase the likelihood of excessive submission.
- Providing safe, positive interactions in parks, avoiding forced or uncomfortable situations, and properly addressing triggers can mitigate concerns and prevent issues.
Steps to Modify Submissive Behavior
Positive Reinforcement for Submissive Dogs
Using positive reinforcement training, you can reinforce good behaviors in a dog by rewarding with treats, praise, and affection. Instead of ignoring or reacting to unwanted actions, trainers should focus on redirecting the dog, building its trust and showing authority. Over time, this technique will help transform the dog’s mindset from submission to mutual respect and understanding.
Increasing Confidence and Trust
Helping a dog overcome submissive behavior starts with fostering a sense of trust and confidence in them. From my experience, owners who give their dogs regular attention, love, and affection notice a remarkable change. Consistent, positive interactions strengthen a trusting and respectful bond, making the dog more at ease. I’ve found that obedience training and agility courses work wonders to develop their self-assurance. When a dog trusts its owner, it naturally follows commands and exhibits more appropriate behavior in different settings. These simple steps can reduce excessive submission, helping dogs feel secure in their actions and more comfortable navigating their world.
Building Confidence Through Early Socialization
One of the most critical aspects of helping dogs overcome submissive behaviors is ensuring they are well-socialized from an early age. When puppies are exposed to different environments like parks, busy streets, and pet stores, they develop coping skills that make them more comfortable in new situations. This exposure helps in the reduction of fear-based responses and bolsters their confidence. Owners should actively facilitate proper interactions by encouraging their pets to meet and interact with humans and animals in a controlled, safe place. Enrolling them in obedience classes, daycare, or supervised play sessions can further contribute significantly to their growth. The early life stages are the best time to shape a dog’s behavior, and positive reinforcement training will help modify their responses while strengthening trust.
Responding to Submissive Behaviors in Dogs
When a dog is exhibiting submissive behaviors, it is their way of showing respect and acknowledging your authority in the relationship. Some owners mistakenly think they need to show dominance, but this can create fear and make a dog react aggressively in self-defense. Instead, it’s important to interpret their body language and understand the context. For instance, if your dog meets another in an off-leash park and the other dog starts barking and charging, your dog may drop to the ground, roll over, and expose their belly as an effort to show they are not a threat. This natural reaction helps to de-escalate a fearful situation. Sometimes, a submissive behavior can also be an invitation to play, depending on the situation. Learning to communicate with your dog and recognizing these examples will help build a stronger bond. If your dog sends a message to “stay away,” respect their space and allow them to feel safe.
Final Thoughts
A well-balanced approach to understanding submissive dog behavior helps create a trusting and respectful relationship between pets and their owners. Recognizing the signs of submission, such as body posture, tail position, and eye contact, ensures effective communication and prevents misunderstandings. Encouraging confidence through positive reinforcement, socialization, and training helps dogs feel safe and secure in their environment. By responding with patience and care, owners can strengthen their bond with their furry companions, fostering a happy and stress-free life together.
FAQs
Why do dogs attack submissive dogs?
In my experience, when a dog displays submissive behavior, it can unintentionally trigger aggression in a more dominant dog. This reaction often stems from the dominant dog’s instinct to assert its status within the group. Factors like resource guarding and fear can also contribute to such interactions. I’ve observed that aggressive behavior isn’t always directed specifically at submissive dogs; sometimes, any perceived vulnerability can prompt an attack.
Can Too Much Submission Harm Your Dog?
Yes, A submissive dog with excessive behavior may suffer from stress and anxiety, affecting its quality of life. Being an easy target makes them prone to being bullied or attacked by other dogs, which can be harmful. This can lower their confidence and lead to further issues.
Do dogs show submission to humans in the same way they do to other dogs?
Yes, dogs show submission to humans in ways similar to other dogs, like lowering their bodies, avoiding eye contact, and wagging their tails low. They may also expose their belly to signal trust. Owners must recognize these signs and respond appropriately to maintain a healthy, balanced relationship. Recognizing these cues helps ensure the dog feels safe and respected.