Dogs Who Show Their Belly Then Bite – Causes and Solutions
"She bit the neighbor, out of nowhere! Why did she do that? He just wanted to rub her belly!" Sally's dog parents are upset and confused. On the floor between them sits Sally as if listening in on the discussion. She looks quite pleased. But maybe it was all her fault. But he started it. The neighbor. According to her.Sally is a one-year-old cutie with long eyelashes and a curly coat that most female dogs dream of. She's a charming little creature and loves when her dog parents cuddle with her on the couch. She wiggles down between them, lifts one of her hind legs, and asks for a belly rub.So, it's not surprising that they thought she was asking the neighbor for the same when she flopped down and showed her belly in the hallway. But that's really not what Sally meant. Not at all. And that's why she bit him.
Culture clashes between dogs and humans
Let's take a closer look at a culture clash between dogs and humans. We step away from the scene in the hallway, leave the center of the event, and consider the circumstances.It definitely wasn't good that the neighbor got bitten, but perhaps understandable. Yet it wasn't only Sally's fault. Mostly, it was a culture clash between two species, something that can be easily prevented with knowledge. Knowledge about the integrity and emotional life of dogs, which you can read more about in the article Dogs' emotional life - not unlike ours.
Is your dog asking for cuddles - or not?
You and the rest of the family might be able to pat, cuddle, and carry your dog without any protests in the form of growls or nips. Your dog might enjoy and invite belly rubs and cuddles. Maybe she/he jumps onto the couch, settle in someone's lap, and lift a hind leg to ask for belly rubs. If you stop scratching, an impatient paw continues the action. In this context, the exposed belly means "cuddle me." But it might not mean the same thing in a different context. For more information on how to interpret dog behavior, I recommend Dog Language - learn to interpret and speak dog language.
Interpret your dog's signals correctly in different circumstances
In the scenario above, you have every right to interpret your dog's exposed belly as an invitation for closeness and cuddles. However, a neighbor should not come to the same conclusion. For two seemingly similar behaviors can have very different meanings. Depending on the overall situation and circumstances. The dog's posture, eyes, ears, center of gravity, and facial expressions also play a role in the message. A stiff posture, an averted or downward gaze, short corners of the mouth, and backward-pulled ears say "leave me alone."
How the environment affects a dog's behavior
Circumstances should also play a role when interpreting a dog's message. Snuggling on the couch with loved ones or confronting a stranger in an intrusion-into-territory situation in the hallway are two different things for a dog. If the neighbor had sat on the couch and Sally had come over and lifted her leg, he probably would have gotten to cuddle her. Because on the couch, she expects cuddles, and if she approaches, she's asking for interaction. However, in the hallway, he approaches her. She didn't ask for interaction, and the submission (the exposed belly) was her way of asking for space.
Your dog's signals change with the relationship to the receiver
Who is the communication directed towards? You or your family memebers, whom the dog trusts, or a stranger? The relationship with the person can help us interpret our dogs' signals. A dog might allow their close ones to hug, hold, and kiss. It doesn't mean the same thing is appreciated or accepted by a stranger. Your partner can surely put their arms around you, but if a stranger at the grocery store does the same, you might react defensively. What your dog wants you to do might not be okay for others to do. Dogs also have relationships and integrity. Some more than others. Some people shrink when they feel threatened, others resort to fists. Dogs are also different. Some bite.
What an exposed abdomen really means
Passive submission, curling up, lying on their side, showing the belly, is a way to dampen someone's advance. These behaviors convey that the dog is uncertain, scared, and wishes for space. Before passive submission, the dog often indicates their desire for space in more subtle ways. Maybe by licking their lips, looking away, yawning, or crouching. If the message doesn't get through, the dog tries to make it clearer. Sometimes with a growl or by showing their teeth. Because that's how dogs communicate more clearly to people who don't understand. You can also read more about how dogs express fear and their protective behaviors in the article The power of protection: how to best support a scared or angry dog.
Managing your dog's signals to avoid misunderstandings
With this perspective, it's easier to understand Sally. She didn't ask for a belly rub; she asked to be left alone. But instead, she was touched. Who wouldn't react? Next time the neighbor visits, and Sally lies on her back in the hallway, he should step back, look away, and talk to the two-legged beings he's visiting instead. If he doesn't do that, Sally's dog parents should interpret for their dog, convey what she wants so she doesn't have to resort to biting.
Written by: Caroline Alupo
Caroline Alupo is Petli's co-founder. She has a master's degree in ethology and is also a trained dog trainer and dog psychologist. She has 19 years of experience as a professional dog trainer. Read more about Caroline here.
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