Have you ever wondered why your normally assertive dog immediately flops onto her back whenever she feels fearful or threatened? According to board-certified veterinary behaviorist Dr. Karen Sueda, DVM, of the VCA West Los Angeles Animal Hospital, this is a classic — and normal — sign of submission or appeasement.

Why does my dog show me his belly when hes in trouble?

Dogs adopting a submissive display (also called an appeasement display) are trying to diffuse social tension by showing that they're not a threat. Petting a dog who's showing submissive or appeasing behaviors can make the dog more nervous, because now you're touching him in very vulnerable parts of his body!

Do dogs know when they are in trouble?

Because our canines can't communicate, it's tough to really know what they do and do not understand. But it does appear that they know when they've done something wrong, and they are either asking for their pack's apology or trying to avoid punishment when they approach us with apparent guilt.