Why Do Dogs Bow?

If you have a pet dog, you will see that they do all kinds of strange things and one of them is “bowing down.” As a dog owner, you may have seen your dog make a bow when he/she is playing. However, there is a meaning behind the action.

If you have been wondering what is causing this action, then you will be happy to know that there is a delightful explanation. A bow is often called a “bow for play” because it accurately reflects how your dog feels. It is a common physical action that dogs use as a means of communication. This act of play is often their way of saying that they want to play.

That is the message most dogs will bow down to. But there is a flip side to this action as well. Dogs occasionally use a bow as a gesture for an apology, sometimes when they play but accidentally get rough. You may have seen your puppy do this once or twice while playing with you.

When it comes to social management, Alpha dogs will bow to Beta dogs and vice versa. In fact, most dogs when they first meet will play with bows as a friendly gesture. It is their way of making friends. Dogs will also make a doggie bow from time to time for their mating methods as a way to show that they are single and ready to mate.

However, if your dog is not fully trained to bow, he/she can react adversely to it. So if you see any aggressive behavior then it is always a good idea to get them well-trained to avoid any future harassment. Of course, if your dog does this to you it is always a good gesture to appreciate. After all, you want to make your dog feel loved and don’t want to hurt his/her feelings.