Greetings all,
We have a 2 year old little Ruby girl cavalier. She is very friendly but at the same time very shy and generally a scarety-cat. For example, she loves running up to dogs big and small with her tail wagging like a propeller, but as soon as she gets within 2 feet of them she stops in her tracks and turns very submissive. With the exception of a few dogs she knows well she doesn't like anyone sniffing her behind, she often rolls over sometimes even for young pups. However, as soon as the other dog loses interest in her she sneaks a sniff at their tail. She is more confident with people, especially if they don't approach her too aggressively, and of course she is the bravest dog you've ever seen with me and my wife.
We try encouraging her around other dogs by speaking in an excited playful voice and petting the other dog and her, and while she does become a little less submissive, the problem doesn't go away entirely.
What should we try to do to increase her level of confidence?
We have a 2 year old little Ruby girl cavalier. She is very friendly but at the same time very shy and generally a scarety-cat. For example, she loves running up to dogs big and small with her tail wagging like a propeller, but as soon as she gets within 2 feet of them she stops in her tracks and turns very submissive. With the exception of a few dogs she knows well she doesn't like anyone sniffing her behind, she often rolls over sometimes even for young pups. However, as soon as the other dog loses interest in her she sneaks a sniff at their tail. She is more confident with people, especially if they don't approach her too aggressively, and of course she is the bravest dog you've ever seen with me and my wife.
We try encouraging her around other dogs by speaking in an excited playful voice and petting the other dog and her, and while she does become a little less submissive, the problem doesn't go away entirely.
What should we try to do to increase her level of confidence?
To me, the problem is really with aggressive and unsocialised dogs but she sounds friendly and happy to meet other dogs. Some dogs are just more submissive and this behaviour is pretty common, and seems to be where she feels comfortable. Adults will often roll over for pups and it isn't a gesture of submissiveness though -- it is just being friendly, playful and non threatening to a puppy. 
