submissive ?

Question
Hi Labman,
I have an 11 mo old cocker-springer mix. Famale. Brandy is a great dog, and learns quickly. She is also crate trained since I got her at 6 weeks.
My question is this: Lately, upon greeting her in the morning to let her out of her crate, or coming home after work (my wife's home with her during the day) she rolls over on her back, or sits and urinates a small amount each time. She hasn't done this in months. She acts very submissive to me. She gets over it in about 5 minutes. Is this a normal behaviour? Is it something I'm doing wrong to make her feel this way?
Thanks in advance,
Gary
Tampa, Fl

Answer
Is she spayed?  If not, almost any behavior could be considered normal as her first season approaches.  Save yourself a lot of hassle, spay her as soon as the vet will do it.  

Otherwise, you need to build her confidence.  Obedience training works well.  your praise for her success, boosts her confidence.  The dogs see all the
people and dogs in the household as a pack with each having their own rank in
the pack and a top dog.  Life is much easier if the 2 legged pack members
outrank the 4 legged ones.  You can learn to play the role of top dog by
reading some books or going to a good obedience class. A good obedience class
or book is about you being top dog, not about rewarding standard commands with
a treat. Start at http://www.dogsbestfriend.com/


Play tug of war with her and lose.  Just make sure you end up with the rope or toy at the end of the game.  Otherwise, she could begin to think she is top dog.