Like cats, dogs have their own body language. Perhaps you are wondering the meaning of these attitudes, and in particular why your dog lies on his back? There are several explanations for this behavior and depending on the situation in which it is observed: indeed, the dog can lie down or roll on its back facing its master, facing a congener, or even for play.
A posture of submission
In dogs, lying on their backs to show their belly indicates a submissive posture where they “admit” themselves to being vulnerable to a human or another dog. Thus, this attitude serves in a way to defuse a conflict between dogs, or to approach a dominant and/or physically stronger congener, under the sign of peace.
With the posture lying on the back, your dog wants to show in an explicit way that he is devoid of protection: this is why he can sometimes adopt this behavior when you scold him. He therefore wants you to understand that he is aware of his stupidity and peacefully accepts the reprimand. Similarly, during a confrontation between dogs, he relies on the domination of his congener by offering him his belly and his throat, which are parts of the body associated with vulnerability: it is said that it is from a posture of passive submission.
A posture expressing well-being
The lying position, whether on the back or on the side, can translate a feeling of well-being felt by the dog: it is then a sign of appeasement, relaxation, satisfaction, serenity. .. In short, if you find your pet lying full length with all fours in the air, it means that he feels happy and serene. By adopting such a position, which would make him fragile and defenseless in nature, he feels that his environment is secure and reassuring. And if he lies down like this in front of or next to you, chances are that this reflects a desire for attention and complicity. By stroking his belly, you will express the tenderness he comes to claim with this position.
A posture expressing confidence
Reported once again to the notion of vulnerability, the lying posture in the dog reflects a great confidence in his master. Your pet shows you in this way that he relies on you without fear. To tell him that you have understood him, caress his belly without insisting, because the goal is not to strengthen the balance of power. Indeed, some rather submissive dogs by nature tend to adopt this posture frequently, and it risks becoming an exacerbated reflex if you respond every time. Another solution is to congratulate him with your voice without systematically touching him.
A game posture
You surely see your companion rolling on his back during walks, for example on the grass, in the sand, or when he is in the company of other dogs. This attitude reflects a joy of living and sometimes a desire to play. Encourage him with your voice and throw his ball or a stick to start a game!
Be careful, however, because a dog that rolls on its back in nature is also potentially hiding its scent, a reflex linked to its hunting instincts. It is therefore quite possible that he rolls in the excrement or carrion of other animals, especially if the scene takes place in the countryside…
Pay attention and teach it properly to abseil to limit the damage. Finally, it very often happens that dogs roll on the ground after bathing: if you leave it to dry unattended in your garden, it risks coming back even dirtier than before! Better to keep him in the bathroom by offering him towels spread out on the floor.
