When it comes to petting a dog, it's important to know the right way to do it. It's essential to understand which areas of the dog should be avoided and which areas are safe to pet. Dogs protect their genitals and anus just like humans, so these areas should be avoided. Other areas to stay away from include the face, tail, feet, and legs.
Unless you're sure the dog likes it, avoid hugging them as well. Most dogs feel comfortable being stroked on the chest, shoulders, and base of the neck. When stroking these areas, stretch your hand from the side instead of moving your hand over the top of the dog's head. Individual dogs also have specific places where they like to be petted; common areas are the base of the tail, under the chin, or on the back of the neck where it collides with the collar.
Most dogs don't like to be touched on the top of the head and on the muzzle, ears, legs, and tail. Slow stroking, similar to a gentle massage or light scratching, can help calm a dog down. Place your hand in an area where the dog likes to be manipulated and gently move your hand or fingers in the same direction as the fur is growing. Petting should be soothing and therapeutic for both the dog and person as they both gain mutual benefits from shared contact.
When you pet a dog in a relaxed, slow, and gentle way, they're likely to lean in hard to get more. If you approach a dog you don't know, avoid hand movements that may seem threatening. Usually people look for the top of a dog's head; however, this can seem like a threat to the dog because your hand extends above their eyes. Petting a dog on the chin or chest isn't as threatening.
Certain petting tactics can cause most dogs to run in the other direction while other petting strategies will cause a dog to wag their tail happily in your hands. Whether you're petting your own pup or one you've just met, here are some strategies for better petting including which petting styles you should avoid and those you should employ. A dog that likes to be petted will generally lean towards you or will actively seek contact with you when you stop petting them.When it comes to petting a canine companion, it's important to know where not to touch them. Dogs protect their genitals and anus just like humans do, so these areas should be avoided at all costs.
Other places that should be off-limits include their face, tail, feet, and legs. Unless you're sure that your pup enjoys it, avoid hugging them as well. Most dogs feel comfortable being stroked on their chest, shoulders, and base of their neck. When stroking these areas, stretch your hand from the side instead of moving your hand over the top of their head.Individual dogs also have specific places where they like to be petted; common areas are at the base of their tail, under their chin, or on the back of their neck where it collides with their collar.
Most dogs don't like being touched on top of their head and on their muzzle, ears, legs, and tail. Slow stroking similar to a gentle massage or light scratching can help calm them down. Place your hand in an area where they like being manipulated and gently move your hand or fingers in the same direction as their fur is growing. Petting should be soothing and therapeutic for both parties involved as they both gain mutual benefits from shared contact.When you pet a pup in a relaxed, slow, and gentle way they're likely to lean in hard to get more attention from you.
If you approach a dog that you don't know personally avoid any hand movements that may seem threatening. Usually people look for the top of a pup's head; however this can seem like a threat since your hand extends above their eyes. Petting them on their chin or chest isn't as intimidating.Certain petting tactics can cause most dogs to run away while other petting strategies will cause them to wag their tail happily in your hands. Whether you're petting your own pup or one that you've just met here are some strategies for better petting including which petting styles you should avoid and those that you should employ.
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