• Michael D’Abruzzo

    Administrator
    August 24, 2017 at 4:59 am
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    I would say “yes” to the first part of your question that it is possible for a puppy of any breed, and even somewhat normal, to act submissive toward a stranger. Submissive pee tells a stranger that indeed they are a pup and pose no challenge.

    Depending on the genetics of the dog and neuter status a dogs personality, just like ours will change drastically as it matures. Also the role a dog plays in a family and location of a meeting with a stranger (on own territory or off) may all be factors in how a meeting goes.

    I do not think, however, that the behavior has anything to do with not knowing who the pack is. Pups figure out quickly who there family (pack) is if spending day to day with the family or person.

    It can be a factor, later on, if an owner allows all strangers to push themselves upon a puppy who obviously does not appreciate the attention from strangers. If the puppy does not look as if it wants the engagement the puppy can become more defensive to the approach of stangers as it gets older and decides it must take the role of telling others to respect it’s space.

    This is no different from  a parent  forcing a child to hug and kiss strangers. Eventually a child will become proactive in hiding behind the parent or otherwise being rude. In dogs it may result in more active shyness when young or being more on edge for aggressive behavior with maturity.