Dutch Shepherd Forum

My boy is 9.5 months. He has this behavior that I'm trying to figure out;
He sees a dog, bolts 100 mph towards the dog and wrestles, rough-houses the other dog. That dog gets scared and barks and bites my pup, he doesn't seem fazed at all but he does fall on his back showing his stomach sometimes and especially when I get the leash on him. I'm wondering if my boy is just trying to show the other dog that he's not a threat or he's submissive. He does this with people sometimes as well, he runs toward someone and especially if they are being loud and zig zags between their legs. His hackles have NEVER once gone up in the 7 months I've had him. Even when he got bit by a pit bull he did not seem fazed and kept wanting to play. Just trying to figure this out.

He’s being submissive.... it’s not over complicated that’s pretty much it... this happens from genetics and learned behaviors... both those factors play a role

Steve Gossmeyer wrote: ↑Wed Nov 22, 2017 5:59 pm He’s being submissive.... it’s not over complicated that’s pretty much it... this happens from genetics and learned behaviors... both those factors play a role

It's confusing because sometimes he shows dominant behavior as well. Like he would try to get the upper hand on a dog or person and bully them. Will this hurt his chances of being a good ppd?

Tyler Durden wrote: ↑Thu Nov 23, 2017 3:15 am

Steve Gossmeyer wrote: ↑Wed Nov 22, 2017 5:59 pm He’s being submissive.... it’s not over complicated that’s pretty much it... this happens from genetics and learned behaviors... both those factors play a role

It's confusing because sometimes he shows dominant behavior as well. Like he would try to get the upper hand on a dog or person and bully them. Will this hurt his chances of being a good ppd?

My only advice is he’s a puppy let him grow up!

Steve Gossmeyer wrote: ↑Thu Nov 23, 2017 2:19 pm

Tyler Durden wrote: ↑Thu Nov 23, 2017 3:15 am

Steve Gossmeyer wrote: ↑Wed Nov 22, 2017 5:59 pm He’s being submissive.... it’s not over complicated that’s pretty much it... this happens from genetics and learned behaviors... both those factors play a role

It's confusing because sometimes he shows dominant behavior as well. Like he would try to get the upper hand on a dog or person and bully them. Will this hurt his chances of being a good ppd?

My only advice is he’s a puppy let him grow up!

Yes I know. I asked my trainer about this and after explaining every detail he said there's something called "calming" and that's what it sounds like to him. When the dog sees another dog being stressed out and afraid they can show their belly to calm the other dog down. It can be misread as submissiveness. He said that if he plays rough and tussles and doesn't care about getting bit then he does not have a confidence problem. I'll just wait and see. Thanks

Kapena does this exact thing. My sister's dog Merlin is unsociable and wants to eat him basically.

And he's just a happy puppy tries to play and if the other dog gets too bossy he flips on his back and waits. Not at all worried about roughhousing or getting bit.