Help understanding dog's body language...?

Question

The other day I was out for a walk with my dog, a 10 month old Shiba Inu, and we came upon a couple with their Lab. My dog is very friendly, and usually pulls because she is excited to see other dogs and people. This time though, as we approached, she was ducking her head a bit. Her ears were still forward. This made me a bit nervous, because it almost looked like an aggressive stance. And then suddenly, she laid down for a split second, and then popped back up, and continued pulling to see this other dog. There was no growling or snarling or anything, and the other dog was friendly too. But what does the laying down mean? Was it a submissive move? Because I have never seen her be submissive, with anyone!

Answer 1

Exposing her belly is submissive behavior.

Read this: http://www.flyingdogpress.com/sayhi.html

Answer 2

It sounds like she was letting the other dog know she was friendly and wanted to play.  Also at 10 months old, she may be getting near her first season.  This will affect her behaviour towards other dogs.

Answer 3

This should be helpful!!

http://www.toledoareahumanesociety.org/t...

When the picture loads, keep your mouse still in the center until at the bottom right corner of the picture and arrow thing comes up.  Click it and the picture will become bigger.

Answer 4

she may have been submissive for a few moments because she might have thought that the lab, who is bigger then her, might be mean. But after realizing that there was no threat, she wanted toplay with the dog. My puppy is the same way

Answer 5

She is nervous! Maybe it is a big dog, or a scary dog in her eyes.

Answer 6

It sounds like play-initiating behavior to me, like a play bow.

Answer 7

How did she lay down?

Answer 8

sounds to me like your dog may or may not of been intimated by the other dogs? don't know. you'll know when your dog don't like someone trust me.. best of luck

Answer 9

Lowering her head with ears forward, followed by lying down was a submissive gesture, basically saying "I mean you no harm."  She may have been responding to some body language she picked up from the lab.  When the lab responded appropriately, she returned to her normal behavior - the lab's response may have been as subtle as looking away from your dog briefly to say "I mean no threat either."  Dogs have rich and sometimes very subtle ways of communicating by body language and she was probably responding to a message the lab was sending.

Answer 10

Don"t be scared, she just recognised an alpha dog. A show of respect if you will. She still wanted to engage with this dog but probably on a playmate/mentor level.