Submissive Dog Behavior

Submissive dog behavior is usually favored over dominant behavior. Submissive dogs have no desire to be the leader of the pack and are happy being a lower member of that pack. It is when submissive dogs develop different levels of fear aggression and fear biting that there is a problem. Generally I prefer a submissive dog over a dominant dog any day. They don't feel the need to challenge their owners which makes training much easier. Here is some submissive behaviors in dogs.

Lowered head with flat ears
Low crouched body
Tail between legs

Avoidance of eye contact
Submissive urinating
Showing teeth ( No growling though, this is also called smiling and is not the same as a dominant dogs does when showing teeth.)
Cowering
Licking lips
Licking masters face and chin
Rolling on belly
Whimpering
Exposes throat


Submissive peeing is the dog showing you "I submit to you". If you punish the dog by yelling or hitting the problem will get worse because the dog will try harder to submit to you. You have to ignore it and help build dogs confidence. Try these tips for building confidence.

Don't yell or hit ever
Don't walk at dog while staring in the eyes
Don't stand over dog
Get on their level
Stay calm and use a calm voice
Ignore submissive behavior by walking away as soon as they do it
If dog sticks to ground pick up and put on feet and bring out tail from legs
Don't comfort them while they are being submissive
Light discipline

Submissive urination will usually stop if you follow these rules. You just need to help build them up and give them confidence in themselves. Never ever rub their nose thier messes!