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Cocker Specific Discussion => Behaviour & Training => Topic started by: jennycockerspaniel on July 19, 2010, 11:48:28 PM

Title: Penny lying on her back when meeting people
Post by: jennycockerspaniel on July 19, 2010, 11:48:28 PM
I have Penny  who is nearly 16months who is a happy friendly little puppy but when she meets other  dogs wags her tail then lies on her back and let them lick her.what is the best way to deall with this situation She went to puppy classes and goes to obedience and she is sttling but would rather play and finding it harder to train Penny. Jenny was so different and trained quite easy but  I dont compare them but Penny seems to be a more laid back puppy I was quite cross tonight as I was told she was spoilt and this lying down was submissive. also it should be easy to train another dogShe is loved and not spoilt she only barks a little when she sees her food and ha started to come when off lead and not want to m eet every one Sorry this post is long and I am upset .so hope you can help me with this.Joan
Title: Re: Penny lying on her back when meeting people
Post by: PennyB on July 20, 2010, 12:03:53 AM
I've just been looking after a neighbour's CKCS over the weekend who's about 3 and he does the same - personally I don't think its a problem - dogs communicate in a lot of ways and this is one of them but I wouldn't do anything about it - she may in time stop doing it but then she might not.

Title: Re: Penny lying on her back when meeting people
Post by: ludo on July 20, 2010, 12:13:25 AM
Bless she sounds a sweetie who loves life  :luv: nowt wrong with that  ;)
Title: Re: Penny lying on her back when meeting people
Post by: JennyBee on July 20, 2010, 01:01:01 AM
I agree, your girl sounds lovely - I would ignore the comments ;) :luv: :luv:
Title: Re: Penny lying on her back when meeting people
Post by: mooching on July 20, 2010, 01:27:31 AM
Who was it that said she was spoilt? She sounds adorable to me.
Title: Re: Penny lying on her back when meeting people
Post by: montydavies on July 20, 2010, 07:01:04 AM
I grew up with a Staffy, andthis was always her reaction when meeting another dog.  Now have a cocker puppy who does the same.  I'd rather have a sweet, friendly dog that did this, than one that was aggressive.  She sounds LOVELY and sweet, and I wouldn't be worrying about what other people say.
Title: Re: Penny lying on her back when meeting people
Post by: supergirl on July 20, 2010, 07:15:58 AM
There is nothing wrong with this - its just how dogs communicate, and all she's telling them is that she is no threat and just wants to be friends, its a calming behaviour - its nothing to do with being spoilt.  I have 4 dogs, most of them do it, it just depends on the situation.  Penny sounds like a lovely dog, but she is still quite young and some dogs will be more confident than others (just as in people) - Its very likely that as she gets older she will do it less - please don't tell her off for doing it.
Title: Re: Penny lying on her back when meeting people
Post by: Danni and Freya on July 20, 2010, 07:33:44 AM
I agree with Supergirl, Freya has always done this, and so has never ever got into a conflict with another dog. I love it, whatever dog she approaches never reacts badly to her as she is so sunmissive and so I never have to worry. I see it as a very good trait. She will always get up and play once shes done this, its just a submissive greeting when shes unsure of the dog
Title: Re: Penny lying on her back when meeting people
Post by: bajoleth on July 20, 2010, 07:43:11 AM
Awww don't listen to what other people say ;) Belle is the same age as Penny and she is exactly the same , she will greet a dog and then promptly lie on her back, not in a frightened way its just what she does. I don't see it as a problem and would much rather her be this way than being aggressive toward other dogs and people ;)
Title: Re: Penny lying on her back when meeting people
Post by: MaggieR on July 20, 2010, 09:25:35 AM
Completely agree with everyone else - your girl sounds a sweetheart, so please ignore any criticism of her doing this.  Maggie used to do it all the time as a pup. She does it less now but will still do it on occassion when she is, as supergirl said, basically showing she's no threat and just wants to be friends.  If she doesn't do this particular action she does another which is scootle towards them with her back end completely down as if she's weeing.  Its all about showing she's not aggressive and just wants to say hi....
Title: Re: Penny lying on her back when meeting people
Post by: Karma on July 20, 2010, 10:08:10 AM

Yes, it's a sign of submission.
That's not a problem, and I don't understand anyone who claims it is...  :dunno:

It's a dog's way of communicating "I am no threat to you, I have no interest in causing you any problems" - would the person who has said this means she is spoilt prefer her to race in very assertively?  It is these dogs who are most likely to get told off by many dogs they meet, as they are being rude and confrontational.  Of course there is a middle ground... but just like humans, some dogs are less confident than others, some are more accommodating/appeasing to ensure they avoid confrontation... it's nothing to do with being spoilt, and all to do with an individual dog's personality... as long as Penny isn't actually displaying fear when faced with other dogs, then she has no problem at all.
(And even if she was fearful, that's still not an indication of being spoilt...  ::) - although personality has a lot to do with it, I tend to find it's the rude, pushy dogs who are spoilt - the ones who race up while their owner looks on helplessly saying "It's ok, he only wants to play...."  :shades: )
Title: Re: Penny lying on her back when meeting people
Post by: jennycockerspaniel on July 20, 2010, 01:53:37 PM
Thank s for your replys and I dont scold her ,she lets them lick her also but I talk and encourage her to get up. She  is the member of the committee and thinks she know everthing Im not being bitchy Penny is treated like I want to be treated and she gets on chairs in beds but gets off when told and has never shown any aggression My sons Lois 6 play and play together 
Title: Re: Penny lying on her back when meeting people
Post by: Karma on July 20, 2010, 04:31:21 PM

As long as dogs have consistent boundaries, it really doesn't matter what those boundaries are (as long as they suit your expectations of a dog!) - and what other people think of those boundaries is frankly irrelevant!!!  :005:

And I wasn't suggesting you were telling her off at all - I was talking about what the other dog might do if she approached differently. 
I would just let her make her own choices when greeting... she will be much better at reading when it is appropriate to get up from her back (by watching the other dog) than you will...  ;)
Title: Re: Penny lying on her back when meeting people
Post by: jennycockerspaniel on July 20, 2010, 07:25:04 PM
Thankyou for your advice as Jenny never done this and we are learniing fom them all the time Joan and Penny.
Title: Re: Penny lying on her back when meeting people
Post by: loudgg on July 20, 2010, 07:54:14 PM
She sounds like a little star to me and I wouldn't worry about it. Bailey sometimes does this, though it does depend on the other dog and how pushy they are, I think it just shows the can read the other dogs mood and reaction to them.

 I get more embarassed when he meets people :005: As soon as he gets any attention of the person he rolls over and shows his belly. He is just a little people pup... :005: you would think he gets no love at home.
Title: Re: Penny lying on her back when meeting people
Post by: Sarah1985 on July 20, 2010, 08:13:48 PM
Dexter does this all the time. The dog behaviourist at obedience class say hes got impeckable (sorry about the spelling) doggy manners and that if you dog is doing that you've got nothing to worry about with regards his temperament.

Hes brave enough to go the biggest dog in there and roll over and not have a problem. Dexters often used a stouge for aggressive cases because hes like this. Yes if we're labeling it its prob submssive but I personally dont think thats a problem.

Why is a dominant dog a bad thing and now a submissive dog is a bad thing. If its not causing a problem for us or the dog why label it? Ignore them
Title: Re: Penny lying on her back when meeting people
Post by: vikki.k on July 20, 2010, 08:31:26 PM
Mole does this and he will be 2 in September. He is the quieter of our two in the sense of meeting other dogs............he will run the other way and Baja will go and play  :005:

I was playing with a 10 week black lab yesterday and when Mole found us, he dropped to the floor and lay on his back whilst the pup sniffed him all over, he's used to seeing this pup at day care and has known them since they were born, but he still chooses to lay back and let him walk all over him  :005:

I wouldn't worry  :D
Title: Re: Penny lying on her back when meeting people
Post by: Abbi on July 20, 2010, 09:56:37 PM
Sounds just like Abbi (15 mths). She often rolls on her back when greeting another dog and I've never thought it was a problem. She just generally gets lots more fuss from other owners who have a bit of a laugh at her. I really wouldn't worry at all. 
Title: Re: Penny lying on her back when meeting people
Post by: jennycockerspaniel on July 20, 2010, 10:12:59 PM
Yes other owners thinks shes a happy soul and she is always being fussed and we have a laugh and I say Im buying her knickers.I am usually quite okay but I think some people dont know what spoilt is.
Title: Re: Penny lying on her back when meeting people
Post by: angie68 on July 21, 2010, 01:49:23 AM
Connie has always done this and i think she always will.  We can go into the field and meet people with dogs and she greets them all like this and five minutes later we meet them again and she greets them like this again and this could go on like this all day meeting & greeting Connie style.  :005:
We often get strange comments from people but just laugh it off as we know she is friendly and very gentle and just wants to say hello in her own special way.  :luv:
Title: Re: Penny lying on her back when meeting people
Post by: smartietopdog on July 21, 2010, 06:38:08 AM
Me too!!!
Smartie has always doen this, when meeting people or other dogs. I used to think it was because she was so scared, but reading on here, it's not necessarily so!
It's a standing joke outside DD primary now, she will roll over for everyone, and they all think they have taught her the command "drop and roll" :005: Haven't got the heart to say otherwise!!!! :005:
Title: Re: Penny lying on her back when meeting people
Post by: black taz on July 21, 2010, 01:05:29 PM
Taz does this frequently.  We went to obedience class on Monday night, and hadnt been for about 4 weeks.  he went around each dog in turn, rolled on his back and let them sniff/lick his bits.  I just call him a tart and smile - he's not hurting anyone :luv:  I think it is quite endearing.
Title: Re: Penny lying on her back when meeting people
Post by: Pip895 on July 21, 2010, 05:28:40 PM
Saffi is another one who spends a great deal of time bearing all – sometimes to other dogs but more often to their owners. :005: 
My daughters school had a pet day. During the pet parade the dogs were lead round a circle of seated children - Saffi practically had to be dragged round on her back  ph34r– she was quite determined that they should all have the pleasure of tickling her tummy.  :005:
In the winter in wet weather I used to dread meeting people – she was quite prone to jumping up – I would shout DOWN - to which she would promptly lie straight on her back usually it seemed in the middle of some muddy puddle. >:(
I don’t think it has anything to do with being spoilt – more about being desperate to please :luv:.
Title: Re: Penny lying on her back when meeting people
Post by: johndoran on July 21, 2010, 07:22:37 PM
Another tummy flasher here. Bonnie Boo very often will roll onto her back when meeting other dogs or people. I never gave it a thought really ,better that than aggressive
Title: Re: Penny lying on her back when meeting people
Post by: Alfiethecocker on July 21, 2010, 09:45:17 PM
Another one here,  :005: i seem to think its sweet  :luv: i wouldnt worry about it  :D