How can I tell if my dog is feeling submissive?

Based on the provided sources, a dog showing submission uses its body language to convey “I mean no harm” or “I give up”. Because dogs use a combination of signals, you should look at their whole body to tell if they are feeling submissive.

Here are the key signs of submissive behavior:

Body Posture

• Active Submission: The dog will crouch or keep their body low to the ground to make themselves appear smaller. They may also crawl while giving wild tail wags.

• Passive Submission: The dog will lie on the ground or roll onto their back or side to expose their underbelly. While a relaxed dog might do this for a belly rub, a dog doing this with their paws tucked in is displaying extreme submission, stress, or anxiety.

Head and Ears

• Lowered or Turned Head: A submissive dog will often lower their head or turn it away from you entirely.

• Flattened Ears: Their ears will be pulled back and facing downward, or flattened tightly against their head.

Facial Expressions

• Avoiding Eye Contact: Looking down or actively avoiding eye contact is a classic submissive calming signal.

• The Submissive Grin: The dog may show their front teeth in a “smile.” Unlike an aggressive snarl, this submissive grin is accompanied by a loose, wiggly, and happy body posture, indicating they come in peace.

Tail Position

• Tucked Tail: The tail will typically be positioned low or tucked tightly between the hind legs, and it is usually held stationary.

Submissive Urination

• A highly submissive or anxious dog may urinate a little as a sign of appeasement. This is especially common in young puppies, who might make eye contact and urinate to gain approval, or in dogs that are crouching low or rolling on their backs