Quote:
Originally Posted by MattC
We (my wife and I) were told by the breeder that we should roll our puppy on his back everyday so he knows his role in the family.
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There is a distinction between gently rolling a puppy over on its back while the puppy is relaxed, trusting and happy, and an Alpha Roll where you are forcing the puppy over as a correction or punishment when the puppy is already tense, upset, or fearful.
The most prone and defenseless position for a dog is "belly up". It does show submissive behavior and an agreement from the dog that you are the leader. I would agree that the positive rolling of a relaxed puppy can help build trust and pack status. The forced alpha roll creates more fear and can destroy trust.
When Charlie was young I rubbed his belly until he rolled and went belly up on his own. It was his way of saying, "I submit and trust you as leader. Now rub my belly!"
