Dogs Whine & Show Tummies

Dear Amy, My new dog spends all his time on his back. What’s the deal? I got him to pal around with me, go running in the park, and to show him off to my friends. Did I make a mistake picking him out? At the shelter he acted cool and happy to be with me, but now all he does is whimper and whine and flip onto his back whenever I walk into the room. You’d think that I beat him or something – I don’t. When I took him to visit my folks, he was fine with my mom and little sister, but he did the same thing with my dad – flip-flop, over he goes, wiggling that little stub of a tail! I could understand him being shy if he was a puppy, but this dog’s sixty pounds, grown up, and he’s still a wimp. They neutered him at the shelter before letting me bring him home – did they ruin him? How can I get him to stop being a crybaby and go back to being that great dog I first met at the shelter?

Congratulations on your new canine friend! Trust yourself, I’m sure you chose a wonderful companion and rest assured, neutering did not turn him into a wimp. He’s simply communicating to you, in the best way he knows how, that you are in charge.

Proper canine etiquette includes a vocabulary of body language that helps dogs get along and avoid confrontations. Submissive behavior diffuses possibly volatile situations and includes rolling onto his back, averting his eyes from yours, wriggling around, and even wetting himself. This is how dogs “cry uncle.”

At the shelter, the dog likely felt comfortable in familiar surroundings, especially if he lived there for a while. Now that he’s in your home, there will be an adjustment period while he gets to know you. Some men have deep, loud, or commanding voices that seem challenging to a dog, while women’s or children’s voices and stature may feel less daunting. Perhaps that’s why you and your dad prompt the behavior, while your mom and sister pose no threat.

Raising your voice, “looming” over your dog, and patting him on top of the head also seem intimidating to some dogs. They’ll try to compensate by acting even more submissive to tell you, “I’m no threat, see my tummy?”

Build your boy’s confidence. Many dogs use the flip-on-the-back as a happy greeting, so try ignoring Jessie for the first ten minutes after you come home. Give him a chance to gain control. Offer no attention at all when he’s on his back – wait until he’s vertical and then offer a treat. To pet your dog, sit down so you don’t tower over him. Allow the dog to come to you before scratching his chest, and practice using an “inside voice” that’s less intimidating.

Amy D. Shojai is a certified animal behavior consultant and the award-winning author of more than 20 nonfiction books about dog care and behavior.