Many dogs just love to be pet, and we are more than happy to pet them, it’s one of life’s greatest pleasures. Seeing their enjoyment and blissed out face as you give them those beautiful oxytocin generating strokes is often as good as it gets as a dog owner or pet parent. But do you know where your dog likes to be pet?
In this article, we’ll be exploring whether dogs like being pet (hint and shock alert, not all of them do), where do dogs like being stroked, how should you stroke your dog, and are there places that your dog might not like to be stroked?
Before we get into the nitty-gritty of petting. Download the Zigzag puppy training app today and get your puppy’s training off to the best start with a full socialisation, toilet training, and skills for life puppy training programme. There’s also a team of professional dog trainers on hand to talk you through any problems you might be having with your puppy, and they’re available 24/7 in our in-app chat.
Do dogs like being petted?
Some dogs really love to be petted, while others are not so keen, it depends on your dog’s previous history of being handled and stroked as well as their individual personality. Breed type can be a factor too, with some breeds finding petting more rewarding than others.
Oxytocin aka the love hormone is released when you pet a dog, and for this reason dogs often love being stroked, and we love stroking them. Stroking and oxytocin release increases the bond between you, and you both get a lot of pleasure from it.
For some dogs, particularly ones who have been in rescue or had negative handling experience, it can take a while for them to enjoy petting, always go slowly and at their pace so that they find it rewarding.
If your dog struggles with grooming or handling, check out our articles on grooming for puppies, or how to give your puppy a bath.
Where do dogs like to be stroked?
Dogs have sweet spots where they like to be petted more than others. When we stroke these areas, oxytocin is released, making it pleasurable for your dog. Here are the top 6 places dogs like to be stroked. Give them a try and find your pup’s favourite.
1. Chest
This is a great place for a dog to be stroked, especially inside those little hollows on their chest. They have quite a lot of muscle on their chests, so you can be more massaging and firm in this area. It’s also a safe non-confrontational place to touch a dog as you’re not crowding them, and they can see what you’re doing.
2. Ears
Dogs enjoy some calming long strokes on their silky, gorgeous ears. Their ears have thin skin with a high blood flow and a lot of nerve endings, so are highly sensitive and endorphins are released when you stroke them.
Does your dog have hairy inner ears? Learn if you should cut their ear hair.
3. Shoulders
Your dog will most likely welcome some shoulder massage. They can carry a lot of tension here, just like us, so firm slow strokes are the way to go to help them relax. It could also be an area where your dog’s harness rubs them, in which case they will welcome the area being stroked and massaged.
4. Base of tail
The base of your dog’s tail or where their tail would be in a breed like a French Bulldog, can be a great place to give them a stroke, scratch or rub, you might even get that back leg kicking out as they enjoy it so much!
5. Under the chin
Many dogs appreciate a chin scratch, it lets them look up adoringly into your eyes too, releasing even more oxytocin, so being super pleasurable for them.
6. Neck area
Dogs often enjoy their neck area being scratched, stroked or massaged as it’s often where they wear a collar and tag, so the muscles can be sore or tight from wearing it, or the fur compressed.
How do I stroke my dog
Stroking your dog is a great way to show them affection, and it’s enjoyable for us too. There are various different ways you can stroke or pet your dog. Why not try out some and see what your dog likes? Their body language will tell you if they enjoy it.
Consent test
This is a great way of finding out if your dog finds stroking enjoyable. Simply stroke them for 3 or 4 seconds and then move your hands away, if they come back wanting more and instigate the stroking then it’s a good sign they liked being stroked there.
This is particularly useful for rescue dogs who might be a bit shy at first, to help them build trust with you. Read more about what your dog’s telling you in our article on puppy body language.
Ear sliders
Sliding your dog’s ears between your fingers slowly going from the base of their ear to the tip. This is a type of Tellington Touch which has a whole system based around a series of touches that dogs enjoy and can help to lower stress and arousal.
Read more about getting your dog to relax in our article about how to calm your puppy down. Who doesn’t need a calm pup every now and then?
Zig Zags aka Zebra Touch
With your hands spread out, make Zigzag movements with your hands down your dog’s body. Do this slowly – no we didn’t invent this and give it our name, it’s another type of Tellington touch.
Circular chest massages
Doing slow small circular strokes will act as a really lovely massage for your dog, and is a type of petting that most dog’s enjoy.
Are there places to avoid when petting my dog?
Dogs are a bit less fussy than cats when it comes to stroking, but there are still areas that they’re really not fussed about being stroked or actively dislike. Especially if your dog doesn’t know the person well, they can find having specific areas stroked or touched intimidating or aversive.
Avoid stroking your dogs back legs
Legs in general can often be a place that dogs don’t like to be touched or groomed, so it’s not a great place for them to be stroked.
Avoid petting a dog’s tail
Dogs don’t typically like their tails being touched and stroked. Not only is it very sensitive, it can also be somewhere that dogs get pulled on, and being connected to their back is very painful.
Learn more about why do dogs wag their tails
Avoid their feet and paws
It’s not just us that have tickly feet, dogs also have sensitive paws and feet. For some dogs they love nothing more than a foot massage, and getting them used to having their feet touched is important as it will help you with nail clipping, but as a general rule it’s not the first place your dog likes to be petted.
Avoid patting the top of their head
Dogs don’t like the top of their head being patted, despite what you might have done for years. When people stroke a dog’s head they often go in over the top, temporarily blinding the dog, the dog wants to smell their hand, and they don’t find this area being petted very nice. At all.
Avoid stroking their tummy
We often think that dogs LOVE belly rubs, but this can often be further from the truth. Your dog’s tummy is not only a very sensitive area, but they also often roll on their backs as an appeasement gesture where they’re saying ‘no, please stop, I’m not a threat’.
Petting your dog can be a wonderful way to bond and show affection, but it’s important to understand your dog’s preferences and whether they’re enjoying being stroked or if they’re scared and disliking touch. By paying attention to your dog’s body language
and signals, you can determine where they enjoy being stroked and avoid areas that may cause discomfort or anxiety.
Remember to always start with gentle slow strokes, use a calm tone of voice and let your dog initiate the interaction. With these tips in mind, you can create a positive and enjoyable experience for both you and your dog, and they’ll likely want them more.
Want to learn more – how about learning the top hand signals to teach your dog, or how about teaching your dog some tricks?
Download the Zigzag puppy training app to learn the best way to teach your puppy right from the very beginning, we even have lessons to get going with even before you bring your puppy home. Not just that, but a team of professional puppy trainers are there 24/7 to talk to you on our in-app chat, so you won’t need to feel alone or worried about your puppy’s latest quirk or challenge!
