Very rude as I am going to post and run (I have 10 5yr olds awaiting my fantastic sewing teaching skills kill me kill me now)
Whilst out for a walk with asbo dog today, on noting that my dog dropped to the ground in a very submissive fashion a fellow dog walker stated, "Oh, nervous agression, I used to have a dog with that."
I'd previously just thought it was anxiety, a sort of 'look at me all small and no threat to you, be kind to me.' As soon as she has established the other dog is not threat she gets up and will sniff them if they are sniffing her. Obviously swiftly followed with a bound and a biff on the nose with her front paw as her opening come play with me stance.
I know anxious/nervous dogs can become agressive but can yoyu not have one without the other - she has not a grumpy bone in her body. I've never heard her growl or even bark apart from frustrated/attention seeking when dogs/children/strangers/I ignore her.
There is no lip licking or panting, just flat down with left front leg tucked under, and nose on remaining paw.
Although today we met a dog that she met on monday, and it was the first time she didn't drop to the floor (hooray) yesterday she was set on by 2 jrts and some other hairy terrier I called out and asked the wonmen they were with (when they came into sight to call them back as she was clearly terrified, but they just shouted back "oh they are just being friendly." Yes, silly me - I should have realised that was friendly growling.