Dog behavior tip! Written with the best intentions-not everyone knows dog body language!  I’m a dog body language geek – I cannot get enough of it! Speaking of language – English and all other languages are second languages to dogs! No judgin – just educatin!

Most of the time, when you are in a public place and you approach a dog who does not know you and it rolls over and shows its belly the dog is NOT saying “rub my belly!” Dogs will roll over to signal appeasement or to create distance between themselves and a human! We call thats “tap out!” I know people have good intentions-and our instinct is to pet the dog on his tummy when he rolls over thinking he’s signaling “please move closer,” he’s actually signaling “please move away/or I’m no threat!” Not at all a pleasant/comfortable situation to be in. When I find myself at a restaurant, bar, or other places that are almost always too much for a dog to handle I without fail see a dog roll on its back and everyone thinks it’s adorable and goes to rub the belly.  Just walk away, the dog is saying “you are a threat and I’m scared.”  

If your dog is the one doing this or any other behaviors (doesn’t have to be all of them) like lifting its paw, tucking its tail, panting, paws are sweating, checking genitalia, yawning, ears back, lip licking, looking or walking away to name a few — your dog is stressed. When your dog is scared or stressed it’s more likely to bite. Some dogs can handle a lot—but most can’t.  It’s up to us to care for them, love them and keep them safe. ❤️🐾