Different Behaviour At Different Places

[Kaffy Magee]

My 3yo bullmastiff bitch has always been a submissive girl when meeting other dogs, even puppies! She was attacked from behind as an 8 month old at a dog show, which is what I think brought it on as I cant remember her being submissive prior to that. We have generally only been around other dogs at shows so this is when I see the behaviour most if not all the time. She is never aggressive, never growls, she just sits, head down, ears back and looks away or lies down belly up. She is ok with other dogs around, although I would say a little anxious if its very crowded and I have to walk her through the middle of them, but its mainly if she is approached by another dog. Anyways, Since we have moved to QLD I have been taking her to the beach quite regularly. Very dog friendly here, there a plenty of on lead and off lead dog beaches around. The weird thing is she wants to interact with the dogs she sees I let her off lead if there is plenty of space between us and all the other dogs as she wont go anywhere, but if I see anther dog coming our way I put her back on lead. If the other dogs in the distance are playing and running up and down chasing balls, she seems to get excited and wants to go over there. The other day I put her back onlead as another lady with her SWF was coming. For what reason I dont know she dropped the lead of her SWF who ran straight up to my girl barking and growling but not getting close enough to touch, and my girl got all aroused and jumped and pounced and pulled at the lead towards SWF, without a sound, so I wasnt entirely sure if she was wanting to play or not. She gets excited when she sees other dogs coming, puts tension on the lead, all alert, tail wagging, yet I see none of that at dog shows. Because I have never seen this behaviour from her towards other dogs, Im not sure how to take it. I am so paranoid when it comes to meeting strange dogs because not only do I have a large breed that is very strong and powerful, if a fight breaks out, whether my dogs fault or not, it will be my dog that gets the blame and ultimately my whole breed that suffers. She is the absolute sweetest girl, has never put a foot wrong, never so muched as growled at anyone (dog or human) or anything but the excitement at the dog beach has got me stumped as to why she wants to interact there but not at a dog show. Can anyone shed some light on this?

[persephone]

the excitement at the dog beach has got me stumped as to why she wants to interact there but not at a dog show. Can anyone shed some light on this?

You have answered it, I think

She was attacked from behind as an 8 month old at a dog show,

Edited April 18, 2011 by persephone

[Kaffy Magee]

LOL, well duh! Makes sense doesnt it?!! LOL, I cant believe I didnt even make the connection, that is so dumb of me and not like me at all ! Im sure she has met other dogs though on the odd occasion outside of dog shows, where she has been submissive, not that I can think of any off the top of my head, of course, but Im sure I have seen it in other situations.

Edited April 18, 2011 by Kaffy Magee