Can petting a dog be difficult? It turns out that many dog owners do not quite know how to stroke their four-legged friend. Interestingly, not every dog has to like being petted. Much of this matter depends on the personal preferences of the dog.
It would help if you petted your dog only when he wanted to. If your dog avoids contact, don’t force him to do it. See where your dog likes to be petted the most. There may be places on his body where he doesn’t want to be touched. Make a slow motion with your hand in the same direction.
What you will learn from this article:
- Stroke your dog only when he wants to
- Choose a place where your dog likes to be petted the most
- Make a gentle motion with your hand in one direction
How to pet a dog
Can petting a dog be difficult? Absolutely. What’s more, petting a dog is often downplayed, and there’s no denying it’s a critical issue for your dog. Dogs are susceptible to touch. That is why I think knowing how to stroke a dog so it does not feel uncomfortable, is the basis for caring for a pet.
Every dog guardian should be aware that inappropriately petting a dog can be a negative experience for him, especially if it involves a dog that isn’t yours. I have already touched on stroking a strange dog in another post. I recommend you read it because it is a significant point. You will find it HERE.
Stroking a strange dog is not recommended. But how should this be done so as not to scare your pet? Today I want to answer that question for you.
Does the dog like to be petted?
First, it is worth considering whether your dog likes to be petted at all. It is true that, in most cases, petting dogs is something charming. That does not mean that every four-legged friend approaches it similarly.
Some dogs don’t like petting. Even if the stroking person is his guardian, that is simply due to the dog’s nature. In such a situation, there is absolutely no point in persuading your dog to stroke. Respect his decision.
What causes a dog’s reluctance to pet?
A negative attitude towards petting may have a specific cause in your canine. That is especially noticeable when your four-legged friend used to love to be petted, and his attitude changed almost overnight.
His reluctance to stroke in such situations is certainly not out of character. The cause must lie elsewhere. Your dog may avoid petting when he suffers from skin diseases. A touch, even as gentle as stroking, can cause him pain.
Similarly, when your dog has pain in the muscles or organs inside the body. Then the pet will try to avoid any touch at all.
That can happen, for example, in the case of food poisoning in a dog. When my dog had stomach problems, he curled up in his bed and did not want anyone to touch him. I wanted to show him my support and care by stroking him, but this was also badly perceived by him.
There are also situations when the dog has a complicated past and does not know what stroking is. When he sees when someone come up and reaches out to him, it may remind him of a situation where someone used violence against him. After going through this, even when they go to a loving home, dogs will learn to trust for a long time.
Such a dog may not want to be petted at first. Over time, his approach may change when he gets used to the new situation and understands that no one wants to hurt him. Until then, you should respect the dog’s opinion and not cross his zone against his will.
If you want to learn more about how to take care of a dog after passing through, I refer you to my other post, which you can find HERE.
I present information about what you should pay special attention to when caring for a dog who has gone through many bad things.
How to pet a dog
Stroking a dog seems simple and does not require additional explanation or instructions. Nothing could be more wrong. The way you pet your dog is essential to him. It directly affects the dog’s joy and satisfaction with your proximity.
So what should you pay attention to when petting your dog? I will present some of the essential issues you may have overlooked. I guarantee it will help you better understand your four-legged friend and his needs.
When to pet the dog
The first thing I want to focus on is when you should pet your dog. Not every moment is suitable for this. If your dog is dissatisfied, nervous or hurts, stroking him is rather inadvisable. At such times, he needs personal space and quiet.
However, if your dog is happy and asks for contact, you can safely stroke him. Dogs like it very much, but only when they feel like it.
How to tell when your four-legged friend wants to be petted? When I start stroking him, my dog, which is pleasant for him, comes closer to me and waits for more. However, if he doesn’t feel like it now, he walks away or tries to avoid my touch.
Where to pet the dog
I have heard many myths about where on the dog’s body he should be stroked and where not. Some say you should not stroke a dog’s head, while others have a similar opinion about a dog’s belly. But how is it in reality?
Perhaps my ambiguous answer will disappoint you, but you should pet your dog in places that he enjoys. My dog loves stroking the head. Although, in theory, this is inconsistent with the general belief about petting a dog, my dog’s opinion is more important to me in this situation.
So how can you find out where your dog likes petting? Trial and error method. I have learned that my dog likes to be stroked on the head, behind the ears and back. However, he doesn’t like it when I rub his paws, and it seems he has big tickles in this place.
Check where your four-legged friend likes to be petted the most, and write me your answer in the comment.
How to stroke a dog
Stroking, as the name suggests, is stroking the dog. It is, therefore, essential that you pet the dog in one direction. Otherwise, it would be more like a scratch. My dog does not like it when someone ruffles his fur this way.
Make gentle hand movements. That will have a calming effect on the canine, and he will be able to relax.
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Good dog stroking
Petting a dog is a more complex activity than you might think. If you go about it the wrong way, it can be downright unpleasant for your dog.
Does your dog like it when you pet him? If so, what is his favourite place? Please write me your answer in the comments.
If you have any questions or want me to discuss a topic in the next post, share it in the comments section.
