She's still kind of a puppy,but I think she's going to be a smaller than average dog. She was probably the runt of the litter as well My lab, DeeDee is very scared around other dogs, whenever they come sniff her, she puts her tail between her legs, tries to run away, and is generally scared to even try playing. One time I let her run free with a full grown dog that was a bit bigger and she started crying and ran into the corner. The dog was just playing now with her and was very gentle, but for some reason she got completely scared. Just now my neighbor was walking her dog(7 years old female) and my dog was also very submissive. She got on her back, let her sniff her. It got to one point where the neighbors dog pushed DeeDee down with one paw and went back to sniffing her after I had picked her up. I'm not sure if she peed, but I think she did. I haven't seen her pee when meeting another dog, but I really don't want a submissive dog. I love her to death, so is there any way to make her less submissive? Is she going to become less submissive when she grows to full size in about a year? Or will she be suck with it? Thank you!
Hi there and congrats on your new pup! I think others will have better advice for you than I in terms of practical next steps as there are some really great knowledgeable puppy people here. The two cents I wanted to add is this. First, at 16 weeks she is just a baby and full of potential. Laying on her back in front of an older dog is normal puppy behaviour. Second, please realise that submissive does not equal weak, fearful or timid (lacking confidence). These are all separate pieces of the puzzle. You may think submissive is bad (this is a common thought in Western "fight to succeed" culture), and others may disagree with what I'm about to say, but I actually like a submissive but confident dog. Why? Because they are easier. Easier to train, easier to bond with you, happier to do what you ask, easier to get along with other dogs. My Rottie was the was the least dominant dog I've ever met. He was confident but he just didn't care to be anyone's boss - and there's a lot of strength in that. So I just wanted to plead the case that submissive does not mean "bad" or "weak". This is a really popular misconception. As for her lacking confidence and being afraid at this stage of her life, it's really down to you to show her that the big bad world is actually a safe and pretty darn interesting place. That means little experiences, step by step, building up her confidence with positive experience after positive experience. Be careful of tossing her into the deep end... what seems like no big deal for you (your example of letting her fun free with a full grown dog) may be too overwhelming for her. If you see that and think, "What a wimp, she needs to toughen up and deal", for sure she's going to sense that you don't have her back and that will decrease her confidence and rewind your progress. Tiny steps forward will get more progress in the end. My big bad Rottie who grew into Mr. Confidence? As a pup, he had the most whacky of fears. Orange trees. Trash cans. Skateboards. Fishing poles. Week after week, he'd find something new (and equally ridiculous) to be afraid of. Drove me off the deep end. But we worked through it and eventually he became Mr. Confidence. Big breed dogs have "Baby Brain" well past a year (3 years for Rotties, maybe similar for Labs?). Cut her some slack for being a baby, build her confidence and you'll have an awesome dog.
Agree with above, submissive but not fearful can be the greatest dog to have. The dog who is content to let another dog, or you, be the boss. The kind who does whatever you say. My first Lab was like that, always looking to me to lead. Your puppy is still very young and she may well develop more confidence as she matures. I wouldn't force anything and I wouldn't let a big dog I didn't know play with her. Some dogs, like some people, are bullies and will torment. I would try to find a big dog you know that might be a good friend for her, one who isn't so interested in her. Or just a dog her size. Being ignored by another dog is a great confidence builder. It's how you reassure most animals that you are not a threat to them, by ignoring them. The submissive peeing is not at all unusual in puppies. No one can tell you for sure that she will grow out of it but most do. My very confident dog did some of that when he was little, he was in awe of bigger dogs.
I don't like to see what people call submissive puppies - I don't mean normal wiggle around on my back asking for a tummy rub stuff, or puppies licking adult dog's faces or going OTT on the play bows, and keeping low, this is all normal. I don't think it is a good thing for puppies to be doing this: What people often call submissive behaviour, just looks like fear or the start of fear to me. I think just submissive puppy behaviour still involves an enthusiastic puppy, bowing down, keeping low, but still all wiggly and relaxed, inviting play or greetings, there is really nothing fearful about it. Try and find a few (just one at a time) very gentle, well mannered adult dogs for her to be around. She doesn't need to play, just relax around them. You could also try to find a socialisation class for her, but do check it out carefully and make sure it's run by people who know what they are doing.
I am no expert, but I'd agree with the above - I think that what you are describing is "fear", not "submission". So, she is (for whatever reason) fearful of things. I think that makes the solution much more obvious.... you just need to gradually show her that the big wide world is a safe, good, fun place to be, and that you are always there to protect her. That means a gradual process of introducing her to experiences and gentle dogs to build her confidence. She will be fine! She is just a baby still. Good luck, let us know how it goes!
Absolutely agree with all the comments above. What you are describing does sound more like fearfulness. It doesn't mean she will always be like this, but the management really needs to start now. She needs gentle introductions with other dogs but on her terms. There are some really good group classes around, google positive trainers or clicker training in your area.
I agree with the comments above that your pup seems a bit fearful. Quinn has always been a bit fearful/cautious of certain things, especially big dogs and dogs who have loud/deep barks. It is very obvious when there is a dog that she is weary of - tail between legs, runs off not in a playful manner and will try to hide under a park bench, person etc. It was more obvious when she was younger and has gotten much much better over time. I have only ever seen her roll onto her back once and that was this past weekend and two big dogs were playing a bit rough with her/ganging up. I went over immediately and got her and we left. I truly prefer this response to her getting aggressive back, especially at this age (almost 9 months). We have been managing her cautiousness similar to advice above - lots of play dates with friendly older dogs (you can tell immediately a dog who she likes and has fun with), always ensure she is not overwhelmed, for example if the dog park got crowded or she seems scared at all, we leave immediately. If I notice an aggressive/rough playing dog at the park, we leave the area before they meet. We don't keep her in situations that made her uncomfortable. When meeting other dogs on leash, I always ask if they are good with puppies before allowing a hello, and we do not greet every dog we pass to ensure that her experiences with other dogs are positive (we stay away from little dogs on our walks for the most part!). She was recently spooked by something while we were out for a late evening walk and I realized it was our shadows on the house!! We say "It's OK!" in a cheerful voice and bring her toward things that spook her and treat. She has gotten a million times better as she has gotten older and more confident. She is a playful, good natured dog and I would prefer her caution and looking to me to see if things are OK rather than the opposite!
Aww she is just a baby and is learning the world. I agree with what everyone else has said. But I also wonder if she would benefit from puppy classes. We had an American bull dog in our puppy class who was the smallest puppy at the beginning and also the most fearful. He ran from other dogs, hid in corners or behind people's legs and begged to be picked up. Flash forward to the last day of class and he had gained so much confidence in himself. He was a completely different dog. He was initiating play, and playing with all the big dogs and puppy bowing etc etc. Good luck!
