On seeing other dogs?

[abstibus]

i have a rescue dog, supposedly collie/lab, and every time she sees another dog she goes into the 'crouch' position and then 'creeps' along until they meet (or not). She is friendly and sociable, just wants to play and is never aggressive towards them. Is this collie behaviour?
I walk her on a lead.
Thanks.

[gelda]

It could be that she's on the lead and feels vulnerable so she's being submissive ,the trouble is dogs feel restricted when they're on a lead, they can't defend themselves with an aggresive dog and they can't play with a friendly one so if it's a safe area let her off to play.

[Aprillove]

Thanks, Gelda
I only walk her on the lead until we reach a safe place - usually the beach when the tide is in/out enough to make it into a 'crescent' shape and she can't get away unless she's prepared for a long swim. She approaches other dogs very confidently, so I suppose yout theory is right!

[carmalee]

all she is saying is ' I want to be your friend, am not completely submissive or I would roll right over and expose my belly, but hey guys, lets play' - the crouch is a very common stance with Collies -they use this as a stealth approach to lots of things (observe a workinfgCollie with sheep)Being on a lead alters behaviour too - is her recall safe enough to let her off the lead ?- Collies need a huge amount of physical and mental exercise - agility, obedience and dog trials are brilliant for them. Your girl sounds lovely - I have an eighteen year old and she still surprises me!

[angiebaby57]

This interests me as this is happening to me! I had my 22 month old Golden Retriever from a breeder at aged 12 weeks and he is TOTALLY adorable, beautiful nature, soft, funny etc...but about 8 weeks ago he started to crouch when he was approaching another dog (any dog) he is always off the lead. I think its because of his age...and there is no malice at all in his actions...he gets on well with all dogs and has never shown aggression to any dog. He did this repeatedly over the weekend and as soon as both dogs 'met' they relaxed and tails were wagging. I think it may be instinctive...but it can look as though he is being unfriendly. xxx

[gelda]

I think through experience a dog goes right down when it's being submissive but just going down on the front legs with its bottom in the air means 'come and play with me'.

[paraffin]

Yes, it is typical Collie behaviour - both my dogs are Collies (one is a cross probably with a lab and is also rescued).
They always adopt the crouch position at the approach of another mutt - mine, too, have never instigated a squabble but have been snarled at by other mutts.
You may fare better if your dog is not always on the lead (i.e. In fields etc but obviously NOT in the street).
When a dog's on the lead it usually forms a protective bond with you (as part of its pack) and will initially see the approach of another mutt as a threat. However, once they've sussed each other out, things usually settle down.
But not ALWAYS, therefore be ready to take evasive action IF NECESSARY i.e. if any snarling/snapping etc.

[abstibus]

Thank you all for your replies.
I take her to the beach every afternoon, where she can run free at this time of the year, and today I decided (with my heart in my mouth) to let her go up the steps to the park. To be truthful, the sand was so hard to walk through that I couldn't get to her in time to put her lead back on. She just trotted along the park sniffing, with one eye out for potential playmates. She found a lovely GS who had a ball, went into a crouch and then a creep and then a play - 'love at first sight'. This is the first time I have let her walk in the park without a lead, although it's quite secure. Her recall is not great yet, but I find if I turn my back on her, she will usually come back to me (guess who has been watching the Dog Whisperer?)