Quote:
Originally Posted by Cami
In reality a submissive dog is preferred! They are the ones who "make nice" with everyone and avoid getting themselves in trouble. No matter the personality of *most* dogs... when threatened they will most often try to diffuse the situation by submitting (not all of course). Some will try to remove themselves from the situation (flee), and last resort is to fight (defend themselves). Submissive or not your guy will "stick up for himself" if he feels it is warranted.
They behavior you describe coming from the pit seems more like bully/bratty behavior (pardon the pun), not typical aggression. If it were truly being aggressive I would suspect a fight. Your guy is not submitting in a way that says, "Hey, I am afraid of you" but more along the lines of "I don't like to play that way so I am doing this (submitting) in an attempt to get you to understand that."
Trust me....my first girl was submissive and never once even had a scuffle with another dog. I loved it but DH thought more along the lines of what you are thinking. With my new girl she is the exact opposite. She has never submitted even when she should have! I fear her personality is going to be one of aggressor someday. She is far more likely to get herself in trouble if we aren't careful.
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This was very informative - thank you! My girl will lie down, roll over and submit to any new dog that she meets who starts getting their face very close to her. She has also done it several times during "play group" at puppy kindergarten.
Glad to know this isn't abnormal! Of course the instructor said that some dogs are just that way, but it's difficult to believe when the other puppies are in constant "wild mode", and Daisy's the only one displaying this behavior!