Why would a dog lie down on seeing another dog, indicating its no threat then pop up snarling and rush the other as soon as its close? Ive seen someone elses dog doing this on several occasions, the owner says it wants to play but it chases the dogs corners them and barks/snarls in their faces which isnt playful to me. Its a mature mixed breed. Thanks.

There are many different types of dog body language, which dogs understand (or do if they are properly socialised) and we often get wrong! The most common one you will hear is that if a dog wags its tail, it's friendly! Not necessarily - there are many different types of tail-wag - the friendly-to-strangers one is when the tail is 'low-and-slow'.

Similarly with lying down at another dog's approach. There is the 'submissive' position, when the tail is low, the ears are back, and the dog may lick its lips. However an aggressive dog will often adopt a similar posture, but will stare hard at the other dog and may draw its lips back slightly. Without being able to see all of the body language there is no way of knowing whether the dog is giving out 'play' signals, fear signals or what. And the reaction of the approaching dog will have an effect as well.

Hope this helps a bit.
:)

My 6 year old pointer, Lucky does that to Harvey and has just started with Milly but it is all in play.  She will lie down flat and as soon as they are fairly close, she will run up with lots of noise and pounce on them.  It is definitely play though but I'm not sure what it would look like to an outsider.

Helen

Hi Lorelei,

My young dog often lays down flat on the ground and waits for other dogs to get close.  Then she pops up and introduces herself in a friendly manner.  Sometimes she will lower herself and slink toward her "victim" like a cat, lie down, then pop up and give chase -- but she only does this with her doggie pals.  She is imitating stalking behaviour in play, as much of dog play is an imitation of some aspect of prey drive and hunting.

I don't think the situation you describe needs a lot of analysis.   If the dog in question rushes and snarls at other dogs it is dog aggressive and not interested in playing.  It may be dog aggressive for a variety of reasons, including fear .. but I would not let my dog near any dog that behaved as the one you describe.

Stacey

The laying down staring pose seems to be part of a game; well it is with my lot. One lays down in the I'm a predator and I am going to pounce on you, the other innocent walks on in a well I can't see you attitude. Then the 'predator' pounces and the 'innocent' defends himself and good fun is had by all and a good deal of noise is made until her indoors spoils it all for the sake of the neighbours.

There could be some Collie in the mix, Collies often lie down close to the ground to not present a threat to the 'prey'.  There could also be some submissive behaviour and the dog is still coming on to 'in your face' so your dog feels that launching an attack is the only way to defend itself.  It's hard to tell without seeing the behaviour itself sometimes :(

My lab pup does this to my husband. She lays flat and inchs forward then when he is close enough she will run at him but just before she gets there she will run away barking, she then turns to face him and the whole thing starts again.
I think it is because he makes funny noises at her. It all seems to be in play tho.

Debbie

Thanks for the replies. We are not pursuing this acquaintance as Id hate either to be hurt. Comparing your thoughts with what I see on the ground, its a bully whose owner wither dosent realise there is a problem or is in denial. Last time I let them sort it out ( both off lead) the owner smirked and said " Oh you are a thug, honestly!". I recognise noisy, rough and tumble stuff and this just looked off. Now I just have to make sure they dont cross paths. Oh boy! Will trust my instincts more now.

Hi digger, no Morse is not launching an attack Im afraid, he just runs with his tail tucked in ( which made me suspicious) or lets himself get backed into a corner where he wont pass the other dog to come to me. I asked if getting a bark back would make the other one back off and was told its not afraid of anything or anyone so I take it Morse knows best and is saving his skin by adopting the Ghandi postion. Problems occur when walking in the area most used by the dogs rather than in the open so maybe its a territory thing - anyway its not going to continue.