Re: Submissive Behavior?

In Reply to: Submissive Behavior?
Category:   Behavior Problems
Posted by:  Jess
Posted on:  April 29, 2003 at 18:27:39

: Hi,

: I have taken Rocky(9 month old male) through obedience class and he fared pretty well. My biggest problem has been trying to get him to come inside after we play in the backyard. I will tell him to stay and walk after him calmly. He has started to go into a lay down position when we start to do this. Is he really staying for me or is he just being submissive? Not sure if it's a big problem, but want to make sure he is getting the right message.

: Thanks - Jess

Response:

Hi Jess,

If the message is "stay until I get to you" then I'd say Rocky gets it. Laying down is a submissive posture but that doesn't change the fact that he is obeying your command. :-)

Personally, we use the command "in the house!" when we want our terriers to come inside. They learned very quickly that when they came in the house when called, they would be rewarded with both praise and a treat. We changed the "treat" in order to keep them interested but remained consistent with praise and when we rewarded them. At 10 years of age, our terriers still stop what they're doing outside and head for the door when they hear "in the house!" :-)