I've read here on this board (don't recall exactly what threads) but that offering paw is submissive AND I've read it's dominant.

Which is it?

I ask because my dog will offer his paw after a good long work out if I approach him to just sit with him for a few minutes. When he does this, his ears are back and is laying down...

?

It's neither only submissive or only dominant. You have to read your dog and the situation to know which it is at which time. If I'm putting a certain collar on my dog and he puts his paw over my arm, preventing me from doing it, that's pretty tell-tale. If he's offering me his paw, that's a connection he wants to make with me.

It's about the dog, not about the term used. To say that offering a paw is going to be always either dominant or always either submissive is wrong.

Edited to add: sounds like your dog was trying to make a connection with you, a happy connection.

That's what I thought, a "happy" offering. When he was younger, he *would* paw at times with leash, but is no longer doing that. Only offers in submissive ways, usually when we are having "together" time, and it's not a demand at all. In fact, teaching him PAW (Hi-5) was interesting with him, although he does do it.

Thanks for the clarification. And I'm sure, thinking back to those threads discussing this, the paw offering was "in context". Makes sense. Thanks!

"In context", that's the perfect phrase to describe it.

I love that high-5! I think it's a bit more difficult for them to do it since they have to keep their paw aimed up (versus a simple "shake"), so it's pretty cool to see a dog do it.

I have one that paws dominantly, he is the most submissive dominant ( or dominant submissive im not sure which!) dog I have ever known. It was a real struggle to break him of walking over and slapping a paw on my knee or face when i was on the couch. He still does it but I can say "Off" and he removes it promptly and keeps it off, and he no longer slaps me in the face when I am laying down. That was a horrible habit and I was worried he was going to seriously hurt one of my eyes since his paws are the size of my hands!

The pup will wave his paw in the air when he is initiating play or wants something from me but isnt sure. He doesnt actually touch me with it, its more of a questioning pawing of the air.

I taught him "fist Bump" instead of shake because my son thinks its cool to do with people and even cooler in the dog lol. High five is fun and I love to see dogs do it but I dont want to confuse him with both so I have held off!

Jennifer, I believe the term you are looking for is passive dominant or non aggressive dominant etc not submissive dominant.

Submissive paw offering: ears back, lips tight, often lip-licking, standing sitting or laying down. Is a reaction, not an action. other example: relaxed face and ears and tail and body posture, extending a paw. Again, is a reaction not an action. A paw extend that is submissive, the dog will not be looking you in the face or the eye or will have its ears back showing submission while looking. The dog will NOT be touching you with the paw. It is a reaction to show submission/diffuse a situation/calming signal, generally not a happy one, somewhat stressful.

People confuse a dog that lifts a paw to allow for better chest scratch as a submissive paw extension, they are not the same. Lifting the paw for a better scratch the paw should not be touching you and the dog should otherwise be showing submission in the facial expression and relaxed body posture. This shows trust and contentment but is not intended as a calming signal.

here is a picture showing a submissive paw extension to diffuse/calm a situation:
http://www.freewebs.com/theanimaltrainer/wpre2.jpg

Dominant pawing behavior is just that, pawing. The dog is pawing at you or towards you, it is a very forward action. The paw will be touching you uninvited. Either an action or a reaction - pawing at you to be petted, or placing a paw on you while being petted etc.
picture example of a dominant pawing action: http://www.freewebs.com/theanimaltrainer/wpre6.jpg

Jennifer, your right that is the term i was looking for although im not sure it really fits.

He is very submissive in general, he will roll on his back for kittens and 6 week old puppies. at the slightest correction or even anticipation of correction he is on his back. His common approach when called or greeting us is head slightly lowered and to the side, licking his lips, and sometimes even whining a little.
If we do call him up on the bed for some cuddles he still keeps himself as low as possible

The only dominance comes about when wanting attention hence the paw slapping or shoving his head under your hand or between your legs when sitting in a chair.

Mine dont lift paws for better chest or belly scratches, all three sort of flop/fall over like a dying buffalo totally relaxed and limp. Its funny!