Submissive and Fearful State
- Explanation
When a dog is in a submissive and fearful state, it may show body language that indicates a sense of fear or discomfort. Such a dog will usually stay with a folded body, with legs fixed or tucked, and it may sit or lie in a low, almost depressed position. The tail will usually be between the hind legs, sometimes held very low, and sometimes it will even hide the dog’s underside. Its ears will be folded and turn backward, sometimes toward the neck, which indicates a sense of pressure or fear. The dog’s eyes may look distant and frightened, not looking directly into the eyes of whoever is troubling it, or they may avoid eye contact. The dog may tense up or walk very slowly, as if trying to avoid approach or collisions, and sometimes it will bend its head downward. Breathing will be fast and irregular, and sometimes an outburst of trembling or facial sweating will be seen. A dog in such a state will try to avoid direct contact with the person or the stimulus that causes it fear, and if it feels the fear building up, it may avoid it completely or slip away. This state often occurs when a dog feels threatened, especially in new environments or after negative experiences, and it tends to look for safe places or try to avoid contact in order to ease the sense of fear. Dog owners should be aware of this and provide the dog with the safest environment that will help it feel calmer and dispel the sense of fear.
Body Language
- Head
The dog’s head will usually be low, almost bent downward, which indicates a sense of fear or lack of confidence. It will avoid direct eye contact and express avoidance of confrontation with a person or a threatening stimulus. The eyes will be low and frightened, and the head will not be erect, but will turn back or bend downward, which indicates a desire to avoid the situation.
- Ears
The ears will be folded or sharply turned backward, indicating fear or discomfort. A submissive dog will turn its ears back to avoid confrontation or to show its weakness, sometimes in a pronounced way that signals a desire to avoid a confrontation.
- Mouth
The dog’s mouth will be closed, and the lips will not be tense but loose. If the dog is frightened, the mouth may be closed or open only slightly, while maintaining control over the tension. There may sometimes be licking of the lips as a response to fear or lack of confidence.
- Tongue
The tongue will usually be inside the mouth, but when the dog is frightened, the tongue may protrude or lie outside somewhat noticeably. The tongue will not be relaxed, but may look surprised or tense, especially when there is fear or a sense of worry.
- Body
The dog’s body will be folded, with legs held together or pressed against each other. The dog will avoid being at the center of the situation and will demonstrate a sense of weakness, lack of confidence, and vulnerability. In extreme cases, the dog will try to avoid contact, lie down, or sit in a very low position, all in order to avoid confrontation or the threat before it.
- Tail
The tail will be folded between the hind legs, and this state indicates fear or a failure to fight. When the tail is held very low or hides the dog’s lower area, it is a sign of vulnerability and a desire to avoid a threatening situation.
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