Dog won't roll over onto its back

[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 :-)