Appropriate Body Language

[Snoopy21]

We have a 14 months old dane cross which we adopted from rescue in January. She is a lovely friendly girl who gets very excited and wants to play with other dogs when we are out and about. She is always on lead because her recall is pretty bad. Recently (the last 2 months maybe) I have noticed that her body language when she is being approached by another dog has changed. She either drops to the ground (just crouching, not turning over) or lowers herself and kind of slinks toward the other dog. Once she has sniffed and circled them she is fine and will play bow or leap in the air inviting them to play.

Is this normal or something I should be worried about? Is she being submissive? If it is something I need to watch for, how do I encourage more appropriate body language?

[Dory the Doted One]

Not speaking as an expert...just from casual observation of biggish dogs interacting with littleish dogs.....seems that they do this to ingratiate themselves, appear less threatening....and therefore get to play!

I'm sure that someone on this board will see this as a complete simplification...blah...blah...blah...but I wouldn't be worried about the behaviour if I saw it in my dog. Many of the larger breeds I have owned have displayed this behaviour when they have wanted to socialise and interact with a smaller dog that appeared to be a little reserved about their size.

[Erny]

By your description I would suggest your dog is exhibiting active submission and giving every indication to the other dog that she is no threat and does not want harm. I would not try to change it.

[Snoopy21]

Thanks Dory and Erny

I just wanted to make sure it OK to continue allowing her to interact that way. I don't want to have to worry about DA later if I don't have to. She is such a sweet girl - I want her to stay like that.

[Akitaowner]

my boy tends to crouch when other approach - in a manner described as above altho due to his size as an adult i have found that other dogs see this a threat and attack first.

if the other dog is confident enough to approach at normal pace he just stands up and plays but he has tended to get himself into trouble with crouching in frotn of other dogs....

He never instigates any aggression, but appears to attract it with his bad body language.

Just something to bear in mind...