On Fri, 26 Feb 2010 18:38:11 -0500, "cshenk" wrote:

"Harry Bloomfield" wrote

had - which started to collapse at two years of age and eventually had to
be put down at just three years of age.

Sorry to hear that. It happens.

He is also very careful not to allow himself to get trapped in a room with
me, by staying close by the door. He will happily go for a walk with me
alone, comes back immediately when called, fine with other dogs of both
sexes. If he meets a small dog, he lies flat on the ground - I suppose so
as not to frighten the other dog. I'm told he just does these things
naturally and has never been taught anything at all.

I am not as experienced as folks here but I know what it *sounds like* to
me.

It seems like some sort of alpha thing. Like he has a fine understanding of
it and 'you are it'. If I got it right, he's *delighted* to have you pay
attention to him as a worthy member of the 'pack' (your family) and is
submissive to what he thinks you want. He's still working it out and wants
to make sure you want him in your pack and on extra good behavior.

On the other, Smile, friendly well socialized dogs who like to play with
other dogs, will lay on the ground when meeting a much smaller one. Think
of it like meeting a new co-worker of a distinctly marked different height.
You both take a seat and just meet and greet right? At least once you
notice their neck seems in pain peering up at ya (grin). Any dog who really
wants to 'say hello' if 20 or more inches at the shoulder will do this with
say, a peke who's 6 at the shoulder (if that). Doesnt have to be that
radical of a difference. I've seen that one all my life. If the smaller one
is a huge amount off and the bigger one wants to be friendly, they will drop
down and 'say hello, I dont bite, come sniff me and see'. I think this
second set doesnt have anything to do with pack doninance but just pure
puppy fun between them.

Are you saying that all friendly, well-socialized dogs will lie on the
ground when they meet a much smaller dog? If so, I strongly disagree.