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?

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Nancy, Ned, and Clancy~ once wrote about rubbing the chest.  Sit to the side of your dog, and stroke/scratch the chest.  I laughed when she posted this and was rather skeptical.

It works like a charm!!  I think that is what I do most with my dogs.  Thanks Nancy.

[BG and Gavin]

My trainer says its like a massage and promotes relaxation.  I watch Gavin's eyes go to half mast when I do this.

[Bonnie and Kona]

Kona, too! I didn't know this was a "technique," I just do it. It's possible Kona taught me. He's so smart!

[Adina P]

Boca seems to go into a trance too when you rub her chest.  Her head will go down and then slowly go backward like she's trying to fall over...then go down and then slowly go back again.  It's bizarre and funny!

[Carol and Banjo]

Awww...Banjo loves this!   He's not a very physical touchy touchy kinda guy.  He's most happy to be lying by my feet....but when he hops up on the couch next to me he can't resist a chest rub.   He's a sucker for a belly rub too.

He never "asks" for physical attention.   But I'm  always giving it!

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Same here.

I've had the nose pooky, paw prodder dogs, but Spud does not seek it out at all.  But, once down, he sucks up those chest and belly rubs.

[Jarka, Monty & Auggie]

I was wondering why Monty loves his chest rubbed that much. He is not a snuggle bug, but he likes me to rub him all over the first thing in the morning when we wake up and then in the evening before bed time. His eyes will start closing if I rub his chest. When I stop, he paws me to do it again.

When he wants attention, his main hint is barking. Then he just wants to play, not snuggle. He is pretty tolerant about people touching him all over, even getting hugged. But that's just because I hug him and touch him all the time and I have yet to see him stressed about it.

[Pat and Traveler]

Trav has several ways of asking for attention--some more welcome than others  LOL  He has the Stare--from about 18 inches away, very intent, this usually when I'm at the computer.  He has the nose nudge, which is pushy, and the gnawing on and growling at a stuffed animal while trying to keep it in my lap.  This makes me laugh, but I'm also worried that he might miss the stuffy and get a bite of moi.  He also has a tiny, sad whine, which means he's been ignored for much too long and has been trying to be sooo good. He'll also try an occasional woof or extended paw.  When there are other people around he'll sit right in front of me,   Hmmmmm....I see from this list he's a real attention seeker!

[BG and Gavin]

Ahh the stare - in our house that means get out the tennis ball, its time for hallway fetch!

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Sarah, the wonderful woman who adopted Lacey, now attends school to be a Canine and Equine Massotherapist.  Acupressure.  Or Therapeutic Massage, and there are some other terms on the course website.  Not exactly sure what her certification will be, although the course is intense and rigorous.   She has been attending a long while now.

I learn so much about dos/don'ts of touch with dogs from her. 

I told her Spud will never allow us to touch or groom his legs or feet.  He hates this as much as using him as a pillow and  hugging.  He really REALLY gets offended.

Sarah, told me that dogs are extremely sensitive in their legs. Much like humans are very sensitive on the tips of the fingers.  Not sure if they have a collection of nerve endings there....  I don't know Canine anatomy but she did mention many nerves.....

Anyway, I thought I would mention legs. Many dogs hate this touch.

Links:

http://www.animalacupressure.com/

Not sure if this was her link, but here is some additional information on

Acupressure

[BG and Gavin]

Cool info Joanne.

[Rose Ann and Amante]

O my!! I hug and squeeze and kiss Amante all the time. I never even considered he didnt like it.