Lying on back defending

The dog is lying on its back and actively exhibiting defensive behaviours such as the intention to bite, wrinkling its muzzle, hackles raised and ears more or less pinned back; corners of the mouth (commissures) pulled tightly back; teeth may be bared. The dog's eyes are focused on its opponent. The dog kicks its paws toward its opponent, who may be standing over it, or be standing near but to the side.
(Zimen, 1971; George, 1995)

The female Malamute has used its physical strength and a 'hug' behaviour to knock the male Terrier mix to the ground. The mixed breed defends himself from this position, stretching his legs toward his opponent.

VIDEO

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In this interaction between two males, the young Dobermann encounters a mixed breed male. The two dogs sniff each other's anal-genital area, then the Dobermann displaces the mixed breed, who re-orients and touches the Dobermann with his muzzle. The Dobermann again displaces the mixed breed orienting into a frontal stance; the mixed breed swerves aside, re-orienting frontally. The Dobermann hugs the mixed breed and causes him to fall down; the Terrier mix responds with a jaw punch. The Dobermann stands over the Terrier mix, exhibiting an agonistic pucker, while the Terrier mix lies on his back defending himself . The Dobermann exhibits an inhibited bite to the throat, in reaction to which the Terrier mix defends himself with greater intensity. The Dobermann is interrupted by the arrival of a female Bernese Mountain Dog who barks, sniffs the Terrier mix, and glances at the Dobermann.

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