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?

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

When Guinness is looking for affection he will come and sit in front of me and just look up with a sweet look that is irresistible.  He knows that he has to be seated before he gets any "lovin", and he's great about it.  He will let me touch him anywhere and takes pills like they're candy.  He's awesome with the kids, and if they get too much he just goes to his "man cave" under the bed and takes a little nap.  Then there's Big Murph.  He is still a work in progress.  When he wants affection (which is all the time) he will lean his whole body against me.  Of course with all his dominance, that isn't allowed...so I "step into" him claiming my space. He'll walk away at that point.  Then I call him back and put him in a sit...then he gets petted.  Ten minutes later he'll try the same thing all over again, and it goes on and on.  He knows now that I will never acknowledge him when he pushes at me, and sitting is how he'll get my attention, but he just hast to try it.  He will pretty much let me touch him, but nobody else.  Even with me, he's very nervous about being touched.  I don't even attempt to groom him....he goes to a groomer who is a total saint.  We did all kinds of touch sensitization with him as a puppy.  We also worked with our trainer to help him be more comfortable around children.  We did sessions where we put him in a down/stay with me right by his side, and fed him treats as he stayed calm when the kids came up and petted him.  All this work has not made him "good" around kids, but it has got him to the point where the kids can be in the house as long as I'm watching every minute.  He now has decided to challenge my DS for position in the house.  He's guarding me and attempting to keep my son away from me.  He has started laying right at the bedroom door so that he can try to keep DS from coming in.  He has not tried to bite him, but he is blocking him with his body. He will also try to push his way in between us if my son comes over to give me a hug.  Of course, I correct him and don't allow the behavior.  Unfortunately he has a real short memory and is as stubborn as they come.  We have a session with the trainer later today to talk about how we should be reacting to this.  Bottom line, Murph doesn't ask for affection, he is still trying to demand it. As I said....a work in progress.  Thank goodness for Guinness....he helps me keep my sanity.

[Pat and Traveler]

Wow, Jane!  Big Murph really keeps you on your toes!  Fascinating to see how different Guinness and Murph are, and how carefully you work with them. 

[BG and Gavin]

Jane, I am sure it takes one to truly appreciate the other and I mean that both ways.  BTW love the "man cave."

[Linda and Murphy]

Murphy is a horse. With my DSs, he loves any kind of play/affection...particularly "Leg Hugs"  With me, he asks permission (with a sweet stare, hunched over so his chin can rest on the ottoman) to get on the sofa next to me. He SLOWLY climbs on the ottoman to the sofa and sits with his back to me. At that point he is at least a head taller than I am.  Then he points his nose straight to the ceiling, looking back at me, pushing into me. He wants his head petted and it is all I can do to reach the top of it with my arm fully extended. This is his favorite.

He also likes butt rubs. He will come up to you head first but turn and back his butt in. He loves that.

Last week at the nursing home he met a new friend. After we locked Miss Gertie's wheelchair (Murph was giving her a bit of a ride), he sat right next to the wheelchair. Those 98 year old arthritic fingers performed some kind of magic on his neck  and head. He sat there in a trance for the longest time. I was amazed. He never even looked for me. His eyes kinda rolled back in his head. lol

He doesn't like hugs especially, so I never forced the issue. On our visits out in public, he prefers the kids to approach from the side and pet his back (so do I) He enjoys the interaction like Rosco and Natalie.  That is what I feel most comfortable with. He goes to his kennel if he is too overwhelmed...which isn't often.

He is also a "leaner". The other thing he does with remarkable frequency is to sit on your foot. I guess this is also a dominance thing.

[BG and Gavin]

I know just what you mean Linda - about sitting up really straight, nose facing the ceiling and looking back at you.  It like he is saying "Do I gotta draw you a picture? Scratch me already!"

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

TaraBear doesn't seem to really enjoy just being pet (especially her head)  and definitely does not enjoy being hugged. What she will do is wait until I am sitting down and then tunnel between my lower legs and the chair. She ends up with her butt sticking out one side and her head the other side. Then she likes a butt rub and chin rub at the same time. She enjoys belly rubs but she rarely initiates contact except the tunneling or asking to join me on the chair so she can lay next to me.Seems to prefer rubs over stroking movements.  When I first get up in the morning she likes to sit on my lap but only for  a few minutes and I think it is just a ruse so she can lick off the lotion on my face!! :)

[BG and Gavin]

Ok Ricki - we definitely need a video of this!

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Peri's call for affection involves sticking her head between our legs when we are standing. Or she sits next to us and swats us with her paw. That means she wants pets - she enjoys them mostly around her ears and on her chest - or just holding her paw :)  For children, I ask that they pet her on her side gently.  She is very wonderful with kids and babies though - I don't worry too much about her.  She likes to even be on a leash and walked around the house by kids. They get a kick out of it and she thinks it is a game.

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

Holding her paw...sweet!

[BG and Gavin]

Peri is a peach, that's for sure!

[Adina P]

Poor dogs... Beneful has created "Hug Your Dog Day" http://www.youtube.com/user/BenefulBrandDogFood?v=58wi8a3Uz28

[F, Calla & Luca]

Funny, too bad it's not a doodle, this guy belongs on DK.