Hello,

We have a 7 month old Border Terrier, an intact male. He's a very sweet natured dog, spirited yet submissive.
Things are going very well except there is one behaviour that seems to be off-putting to other dog owners. Whenever we're out walking and he meets a new dog, (which he is always happy to do,) he will sniff, then sit, then roll onto his side and usually onto his back as well. He looks not at all nervous or fearful as the other dog sniffs at him. Lately, we've noticed that he will become unsheathed as he is being sniffed. This often seems to worry or embarass the other people, (though the dogs don't seem to care much). Being rather an inexperienced dog owner we're unsure if this is normal behaviour? Would like to get some opinions.

Thanks,

Ian

hi
don't be embarassed what he's saying to the other dog is look i'im only young don't hurt me . bitches do the same submissive behaviour , you need to build his confidence when you play games with him like tug of war let him win a few times etc ,if he were a dominent dog you would do the opposite by not letting him win.

jackie

I'm having an issue like that too. My 1 year old maltese x cavalier bitch is very submissive with other dogs. No matter what size (even if they're absolutely tiny) she'll just roll over. At home she's quite hand-shy unless you have food treats then she'll come racing up to you. If you reach out to pat her (without food in your hand) she'll often jump back and out of reach or try to bite your hand. She won't do it if she's sleepy though and loves her cuddles when I wake up in the morning. She's also happy sitting on my lap when we watch tv in the evenings. When she gets excited she always wants to bite, sometimes I'll be sitting at the computer and she jumps up and bites my arm as hard as she can or bites and pulls my sleeve. To try and curb this, sometimes I put her on my lap lying on her back and hold her mussel shut and tell her "No Biting".

Can anyone give me any advice on this?

Jackie and Maiko,
Thanks for your thoughts. It's funny he started out a bit dominant, and we've worked on "gentling" him--perhaps we went to far?

Maiko, the description of your dog is very familiar. Our BT did the same thing, jumping back and opening his mouth when you reach out to pet him (without food.) One thing that I think helped us is preceding a treat with stroking, patting and praise--just a little at first--so that affection becomes a predictor of a treat. I read somewhere that some dogs need to be taught to accept affection. If she's food motivated--well there's your way to her heart. Another thing I think helps is to avoid patting them on the head until they're more comfortable. Stroking under the chin or on the back seems to be more enjoyable to most dogs than the pat on the head. I know that excited biting too, especially in the morning or when ours is excited to see us. What's worked for us, over MANY weeks, is to say "kisses only" and when we feel teeth to say no, and walk away. An interim help until he got that down was to stick a little toy in his mouth during the hello time--that way he got to bite something, but it wasn't us. He's so much better now, you can see him sometimes wanting to put his teeth on our hands, but then he thinks better of it and kisses instead.

I would totally disallow the jumping up on your lap univited, (let alone biting your arm) it's disrespectful of your personal space. If she wants up, and it's OK with you, make her sit first then let her come up. Whatever you do, don't reward her behaviour by letting her stay on your lap after jumping up and biting. I'd give her a good NO or "too bad" and walk away for a few minutes.

Ian

Nikki doesn't jump onto my lap. Usually she's more interested in tearing around the house and chewing things she shouldn't. Whenever she's on my lap is when I've picked her up and put her there so that isn't a problem :)

Oh sorry, I misread. When you're at the computer and she jumps up and bites your arm or pulls your sleeve does she want to come up or is she just excited and wanting to use you as a toy? I don't know how hard she's biting you but I think I would give her a no, a dirty look and then I'd leave the room and her. I would guess she's getting some attention from you that makes this a game to her. I would try to communicate that this is a loosing game for her and that if she wants to play like this she'll play alone. I'd also make sure that she has lots of her own toys nearby. If you can sense that a jump and grab is coming you might try redirecting her attention to another toy BEFORE she gets to you.

ive got a lab puppy and when im playing with her she lays on her back and lets my stroke her tummy dose his means she scared?
or she just wants her tummy patting(sorry i know its a bit of the subject)

i dont think shes scared,just letting you know your boss/and shes happy.Thats what i think anyway