Submissive behavior

[drobinson]

So I adopted a Lab/border collie and he is just the most gentle dog. When they rescued him he was in a large kennel area with about 40 other dogs (he was about 8-10 weeks old) I think he must have really gotten dominated alot there because to this day he is very submissive. Now I would prefer this over aggressive behavior anyday. The only issue I have with it now is that about 75% of dogs his size or bigger will see his submission and then they get even more dominant with him. Alot of dogs take the opportunity to jump on him and keep him down until the point that he starts getting so scared he starts snapping at every dog that comes near him. Is this something that will change as he ages? He is only 8 months old now, is about 75lbs and stands about 23" at his shoulders.

I do understand that this is normal for dogs (dominant - submissive) but there seem to be a lot of dogs that go too far and start jumping on him and biting him and won't let him even get up to run away.

 

[Julie]

but there seem to be a lot of dogs that go too far and start jumping on him and biting him and won't let him even get up to run away.

Well I believe it would be your responsibility to not let that happen.
Maybe he should only be around "well" behaved dogs or dogs on a leash under control of their owner. If he is resorting to defensive snapping at dogs because of his frieght(sp) of other dogs, then in my opinion he should be treated like a small pup and not allow other dogs to run over him to that extreme.

He probably had some really bad experiences if he was in a large pen with 40 dogs. He probably just does not know an alternative way to act. You can teach him that by only allowing him around dogs with manners, and you being an active part of the introductions and playing.

Best wishes.

 

[Zoom]

Overly submissive dogs, which it sounds like your dog is, tend to bring out the 'worst' dominence features in other dogs. I'm not quite sure why, except that it upsets the 'social ladder'. For example, my dog gets along fine with just about every dog out there, but there are a few very submissive dogs in his play group. It's like he can't help himself, he has to nip and keep them pinned in a corner. He's not the only dog to do this either; I have to keep an extra close eye on all the dogs when a submissive comes in, because I'm liable to have a couple fights break out.

You're dog may or may not just grow out of it. More likely, you're going to have to help him along. Training classes, perhaps some agility, just things to help build his confidence. Try socializing him with other calm/submissive dogs at first, let him see that not all dogs will jump him.

 

[drobinson]

Actually, I do maintian control of my dog at the park. When things get too much for him he will lay at my feet. Several times I have asked people to get control of their dog as they are biting him while he is between my legs! I have also on several occasions had to defend him because others don't seem to care!
We have done puppy classes, intermediate training, ect. I think his real problem is that he is just a fairly fearful pup. He hasn't taken to water yet because it kinda scares him, he thinks cats are demons, and when we first got him he was literally scared of my shadow!! At the dog day care we take him to about once per week he is getting comfortable and has now started to play the dominant dog a bit so that is good news.