DEAR PET TALK: Why do dogs roll onto their backs? Doesn’t that put them in a vulnerable position? —Dog Lover
DEAR DOG LOVER: It definitely does and when they do that, they’re telling you — in all caps, if you will — I’M NOT IN CHARGE, PLEASE RUB MY BELLY! Dogs, like all canids, have sophisticated and complex behavioral habits and rolling onto their backs can be the result of multiple stimuli.
First, showing great joy. A dog will spontaneously go from sitting or standing to just flopping over, with back legs stretching into what would be “en pointe” in a ballerina. The forelegs might wave, or paw at the air. We’ve all seen this, and it would take someone with a heart of stone not to drop to the floor to give the pooch a good belly rub.
However, another reason is to show respect — even fear, threatened. Some dogs are naturally “alpha” while others take the “beta” position quite willingly, and have a variety of body language to emphasize that point. A dog on his back does not want to fight, does not want to “mix it up” with another canine, and is showing the viewers, “Hey, I’m not going to threaten you — I’m just a happy dog, here.”
Cats — on the other hand — have a lot more communicating in mind when they roll onto their backs. Sometimes, they are up for a belly rub, but more often, this is a taunt: “Touch my belly, and I will scissor-hand your paw into bloody nubs.”
Cats want to keep their bellies protected at all times, especially wild cats. If a larger animal is threatening a cat, that predator will want to get a good chomp or claw into the viscera. Protecting the belly is paramount for a threatened cat.
However, most friendly dogs don’t take much time before they literally “belly flop” and invite vigorous petting from one and all!
Sally Cragin is the director of Be PAWSitive: Therapy Pets and Community Education. Visit us on Facebook and call/text questions to 978-320-1335
