A Behavior Question

[Charla]

Hi,

When I put my hand down to pet my Goldendoodles on the head or the side of their face they back away. It always takes me by surprise. I have seen this reaction in dogs that have been abused. My dogs have NEVER been hit or abused in any way. I try to remember not to approach them with a hand near their face but sometimes it happens. I started watching other doodles and have seen the same behavior in some of them. Any ideas why?

Charla

PS My dogs are Rozee and Bella

[Charla]

I guess it depends on the nature of the dog. I feel bad when my doodles back away. So I am trying to change my behavior. Guess I need to go to class to change my ways. Thanks for writing.

Charla

[Leslie, Dexter & Kirby]

This is interesting...Dexter loves for anyone to pet the top of his head. Kirby is fine with us petting the top of his head, but if a stranger comes at his head too suddenly/quickly he will back off. I could believe the dominance thing...Dexter is very submissive and Kirby is more dominant.

[Charla]

This makes sense. Thanks for writing.

Charla

[Janie]

Daisy loves for me to reach out and pet her head. Takoda does not like it at all.

[Charla]

Thanks for the response. I appreciate it.

Charla

[Maryann,Roo and Tigger]

In general most dogs are not as crazy about head rubs as people think they are. It is a dominance, agressive behavior in their world. As puppies grow up some become quite resistant to head rubs while others are more tolerant. A chest or belly rub is always more appreciated, especially from a stranger. Really when you think about it. people tend to pat children on their heads and they aren't too crazy about it either. It would be rare to walk up even to a friend and pat them on the head. I don't know if it is still called this, but years ago if you knuckled (even gently) someone's head it was called a noogie and an invitation to get noogied back and often excalated to wrestling etc. Headshy is something entirely different and usually a quick sharp and larger withdrawal, an obvious fear reaction.

[Charla]

I am trying to make an effort to change my ways with the head pet. My doodles are so trusting and loyal that I don't want to do anything to upset them. I couldn't ask for better friends. Thanks for writing.

Charla

[Dori]

Teddy does the same thing - he seems almost skittish sometimes - even with me who he follows everywhere. Yet other times he is nudging us to get a head rub. I was worried about it too - but nice to know I am in good company! Thanks for bringing it up.

[Lego]

It took me a while to figure out that my puppy, Lego, hates her head being patted too. It really makes me so sad because I find in the human world that is what most people do to dogs (myself included up until a couple weeks ago). I grew up with labs and retrievers and don't remember this ever being an issue. Does anyone know if there is a way to get a 4 month puppy to be okay with this behavior? Even if you say "pet her chin or ears" they end up going for her head. Lego is very slow to warm up so that doesn't help the situations with meeting people. I've been carrying around treats for people to give her everywhere I go but now she has the expectation that everyone she meets will have a delicious treat!

[Kaytlin and Cooper]

Patting on the head just isnt in a dogs natural behaviour (same as hugs). They just dont do it to each other so dont like it when we do it. Most dogs will tolerate it from their owners, but still dont like it. Cooper likes long strokes on her head (and body) but hates being patted on the head (she tolerates the pats DH gives her on her sides and back). We use the pats on the head as a signal for "enough". When Cooper drops a ball in our lap for the gazillionth time, and we have had enough (she will go on FOREVER) we pat her on the head twice and say "enough" slowly in a low tone and she either walks away or lays down. I read this in a book called "the other end of the leash" by Patrica McConnell. Fantastic book about dogs body language and how we send them confusing body signals without meaning to. Alot of the advice given in the book worked first time!

It is hard to resit tickling Coopers head when we are on walks - but i know she hates it :(

[Lego]

Thank you...I know I have to retrain myself. I was just hoping maybe there was a way to make a young puppy okay with it.