Lovin' Touchin' Squeezin'

[BG and Gavin]

A recent discussion brought to light something that I did not know:  dogs do not like to be hugged.  People posted examples and videos showing the stress that dog’s display while being hugged.  I suppose I never thought of it before.  I was raised with horses and my dad taught me to always approach from the side (not head on as they can get a better look at you this way) do not move suddenly, work in close to a horse and maintain physical contact when you are out of their sight so they feel where you are as well as sing, whistle softly or talk to give them further information that you are there. 

I began to think about how Gavin approaches me when he wants physical contact.  The most common thing he does is sit up nice and tall with his back to me as close as he can (sometimes sitting on my feet).  I call this his ear scratch invitation.  Another thing he does is rest his chin on some part of my body (lap, hand or even shoulder when in the car).  I call this the chin scratch invitation.  The third thing he does is put his head down and literally bury it in my chest.  I call this the shoulder rub invitation.  I also give him chest rubs, particularly during training.

When we were in puppy K, the trainer said it was important to “own” every part of your dog’s body so that he knows you have the right to touch it whenever you want.  As a puppy, every evening, when Gavin was relaxed and lying on his bed, I would play the “I own this game.”  I would systematically touch him all over, every toe, tug on his ears, curl back his lip, touch his teeth, tongue, nose, belly, you name it… and softly tell him “I own this, and this, and that and this.”  Some of the spots I touched likely annoyed him a bit, but it became almost like a relaxation exercise. 

So, how does your dog ask for affection?  What is the best way to interact physically with your dog?  How did you socialize him to being “handled,” particularly by children?

[Suzann, Rosey & Bandit]

ROFL, I never considered it either which maybe why they are so expectant and tolerant of it now!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

See below. JD doesn't really like to have his head petted and will turn his head to avoid it if he can. He likes chest rubs much better.

[BG and Gavin]

I used to get morning cuddle time, but Gavin sleeps in more now and the minute he gets up he wants outside to take care of business.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Jackdoodle is not a huggy, snuggly, cuddly kind of guy. He especially dislikes being touched on his head or face. But he's also a very tolerant dog and doesn't actively resist; at most, he'll duck or turn his head if you reach out at him. I can and do touch all parts of him, especially his nose, lol. Just about anyone can touch any part of JD, as long as they aren't plumbers. When I first got him, he was afraid and would freeze up at the vets', but there was never any aggression, only passive resistance. We worked our way past that and he's at the vet so much it's all second nature to him now. He's always been very cooperative with the groomer.

Jack loves kids, and I didn't teach him that; somewhere in his past, kids were his friends. He likes to walk up to babies in strollers and put his nose to their cheek. No licking. The mothers are surprisingly calm about letting this strange 85 lb dog put his huge head in their babies' faces, but he is so gentle and slow in his movements that I guess he puts them at ease.

So I didn't have to socialize him with children. I don't let kids climb on him or put their arms around his neck, though. he would tolerate it, I'm sure, but I want him to keep liking them. :)

When he wants affection, he approaches you from the side. Most often, he leads with his butt; his favorite form of affection is butt rubs and scratches. Or he will sit in front of you, but a little to one side, and raise his paw as if to shake hands. Then he'll rest his head on my leg. But that's rare. He's usually trying to get me to throw a ball for him.

I rarely lie in bed except to sleep, but if I do happen to be sick and lying in bed, he will lie down perpendicular to me with his upper half across my legs. Those elbows can kill you. And when he's lying on the bed, he'll roll over for a belly rub or a good scratch in the "armpits".

[BG and Gavin]

JD's affection transcends physical touch.  I get that!

[Bonnie and Kona]

That describes Gavin, too!

[BG and Gavin]

Yes Bonnie - thanks ;)

[Adina P]

A few people mentioned how their dog is not 'affectionate' but loves belly rubs or other massaging touches.  I think, affectionate or not, massage FEELS GOOD =) 

[BG and Gavin]

Agreed Adina!

[Ellen & Quincy]

Quincy usually sits beside my chair, and nudges my elbow.  If I'm on the floor, he sits beside me (touching), sometimes he'll lay down and put his head on my knee.  When he REALLY wants attention and he's not getting it, he will place his front paws on either side of me (I"m sitting on the chair) and nudge his nose into my neck.

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

Both Rooney and Stuart were young pups when they came home and I also made sure to handle every part of their cute little selves so that they were used to it.  I will confess though that I am a hugger - I hug them all of the time and neither one seems to dislike it in the least.  Rooney being small - I'll actually flip him over (like holding a baby) and give him hugs, Stuart of course is to big but he like it when I hug him and he burrows his head into me - he'll actually stand there like this for some time.  So perhaps dogs aren't supposed to like hugs but mine do!

[BG and Gavin]

It is hard to keep your hands off of them when they are so adorable.