Underdog behavior - will I ever change it?

[Wasrandyra]

I have a Jack bitch who is 2 years old now. She has an over the top personality - jumps up - submissive urination and licking. However when I try to correct her she just submits and rolls over - like she is being punished. I am firm but calm with her but she uses the submission as a way to avoid doing what she is actually told. If I ask her to 'sit' for example she will cower, circle about with tail wagging low and sniff her bits. If I ask her to sit when I have a ball etc she will do it straight away. She is over the top with people and if she is off the lead she will run straight up to them licking and jumping. She also runs towards strange dogs and then submits in front of them often yelping for no bloody reason. She is a wimp and is scared of her own shadow but there is certainly no physical reason - she has been to the vets many times. Her personality is neurotic and It is a pain in the bum as she is very sweet and wouldnt hurt a fly. What makes me laugh is that she wont take any crap off the patterdale we have.. What can I do other than lump it??

 

[mattilda]

I have a 9 year old female RR who is exactly the same. She was virtually untrainable as she would just roll over if you used a firm voice with her!! However, she is a lovely dog and luckily she will come to call, sit and lie down. She tries to sit on my knee at the vets and is a shivering wreck there.
I think you are just going to have to put up with it I'm afraid!!

 

[Bossdog]

Perhaps she is receiving some mixed messages, if she is submitting to you but correcting the patterdale I think perhaps she sometimes sees herself in charge and other times you. Try not to make a fuss of her, "poor dog", when she is being overly nervy, comforting her in that state reinforces that she has something to be worried about. As per usual for all my posts, I can recommend Be the Pack Leader by Cesar Milan, he has some fab tips on dealing with overly submissive dogs.

Jules x

 

[CAYLA]

She will always be a submissive dog, but there are a few thing you can do to help with the behaviour.
It's a little like reversing your actions to that of a non submissive animal.

When you arrive home, don't greet her in an excitable manner, no eye contact, or speaking, just simply let her outside for her business, if u do eventually want to stroke her, again no fuss a quick stroke under the chin, as less dominant stance then on the head.
This will also break the urination, as when she begin to roll over, and you walk away, she will immediately stand up to see where you are off to.

Ask all guests and family who visit, to do he same.
Do this at any time when she becomes over excited or displays submission, simply avert you attention to something else, and only reward her when she is in a calm state, by slipping her a treat quickly with no fuss, so she does not even have time to begin to grovel and roll, so basicalliy rewarding the behaviour you want and ignoring what you don't.

When you are out and about, I would recall her, before she runs up to others, walk off and let her catch up, and hold a treat in the palm of your hand to get her attention, even if it means she is slightly on her tipy toes to reach it, then command her to sit, and release the treat, if she begin to roll, which she prob won't, as she will be to interested in the treat

but if so, turn around on the spot, and make her follow you, this will take her mind of the rolling and submitting, then let her go again, once the distraction is out of sight.