Dog won't roll over onto its back

[Michael]

Our dog is a year and a half old Mini Pomeranian we got from the pet shop with previous owner's reasons for giving her up unknown. She's a really good dog but... this dog will not roll onto its back and will not allow us to roll it on its back for a belly rub. We've had the dog for three months so maybe we expect too much too soon, but for all the dogs I've had, this has neve been the case.

Any thoughts on if this is normal behaviour? Any recommendations on how I can help this dog trust us, or at least respect us.

note: we have taught it to stay and shake a paw, but we are still having issues with potty training as per my other thread: crate training: how long is too long.

[BOBBY ZABLAN]

Aloha Michael,
My 5 year old Staffy did every trick in the book except roll over when I first got him. I knew he was smart, but couldn't figure out why he wouldn't roll over even for his favorite treats. I then thought that maybe a Staffy lying on its back is considered a submissive move. Anyway, I've only had him for about 6 months now, but I was determined to make him roll over and within 2 months I finally got him to do it. I just had to be patient with him and not force it. I think that after awhile he just started to trust me and I made him lie down at first and rolled him on his side and finally totally over. Each time it got a little easier and now he does it without hesitation.
Just give it some time and don't give up. Trust has a lot to do with the dog making you happy by following your commands. The trust comes with time, patience, affection and most important excercise from the daily walks.

[CathyBogart]

Some dogs just aren't comfortable with that. In time she should trust you enough to expose her belly to you, but doing so makes her very vulnerable. Have you done some basic obedience classes with her? Things like that build self-confidence in dogs and could be a huge help in this as well as the other problems she's having. The better you and her are able to communicate, the faster she will learn.

[Michael]

That was my feeling... a trust issue. Hammy is a wonderful dog but I have never come across a dog who is so fearful being put on her back. She is not aggressive in any way when we tried, but we were sure concerned when we tried.

This is a dog who we were told may have been abused - the pet shop did not know much about the previous owner except to say that they think Hammy was dropped off because the girl had low grades, so the parents made them give up the dog! (I know... I could not believe it either - do you think she'll resent her parents?)

In any case, we don't know if its had adverse effect on Hammy. We are trying to show her a lot of love but I guess trust and a belly rub will come in time... :-)

Thanks for your responses.

M.

[k9krazee]

My Rottie Shadow is 11 years old and STILL hates laying on her back, I just think it's uncomfortable for her.

[cali]

yup, I have a dog who actually has a panic attack if you try to roll him onto his back because it frightens him so much. he is 3 years old and we have had him since he was 12 weeks.

[Michael]

We have not been pushing her in the last two weeks but Hammy has let us pet her belly while lying on her side. No if we can only stop her from licking so much... but that's another topic altogether :-)