Some dogs love plenty of physical affection, but others don’t. Knowing where dogs like to be pet and how to pet them is an important step in making sure you respect their boundaries and your relationship.
Petting your dog the right way can go a long way toward improving your bond. Most dogs enjoy being petted on their backs, chest, and belly. Some love a good hip scratch, while others adore a chin tickle.
Paying attention to your dog’s body language as you pet them can give you clues to where they prefer attention and the spots they’d rather you left alone.
Read on to get tips from experts on petting dogs properly and learn all about where dogs do—and don’t—like to be pet.
Why Do Dogs Like Pets?
The truth is pretty simple—for most dogs, being petted just feels good. Contact with humans they like releases oxytocin, sometimes called the love drug, in a dog’s brain.
Dr Stanley Coren, professor emeritus of psychology at the University of British Columbia, explains that an interesting study proved that just seeing you will get a dog excited, but petting makes the dog happiest.
“Where there was no social interaction [in the study], the dogs actually seemed bothered,” Dr Coren writes. “It is the sensation of being touched by that person which helps to boost the level of good feeling in the dog.”
How To Pet A Dog Properly
So where and how should you pet a dog?
Nicole Kohanski, dog behaviour and training expert and founder of Wiggle Butt Academy, explains how it’s done in these steps:
- Always give your dog a choice and get their consent before you touch them. That means asking your dog to come to you, rather than approaching them. If your dog doesn’t seem up to the request, try again later.
- Pet your dog lightly with one hand, then once more, then pause. Let your dog ask for more by pressing into your hand. If your dog doesn’t move away but doesn’t press into your hand, try the ‘pet, pet, pause’ once more, and pay attention to their signals.
- If your dog stays nearby and pushes into your hand, this generally means they’re enjoying the attention and want you to keep it up!
She adds that the ‘pet, pet, pause’ approach is a great way to allow your dog to guide you towards areas they enjoy and away from any uncomfortable areas or places they don’t enjoy being touched.
“Try to remember the different touches that cause your dog to move away,” Kohanski says.
When it comes to stray or unfamiliar dogs, Sally Grottini, a dog behaviour expert with JustAnswer, advises a slow approach. “Don’t go up and try to pet them, because you don’t know what happened in the past that may cause them to act out,” she says.
Instead, allow the dog to choose to come to you—if they don’t, that’s a clear sign they don’t want you to pet them.
Where To Pet A Dog
Once you get permission from a dog to pet them, make sure to ask their person, too! Some dogs, like service dogs, should generally be left alone while working.
Some favourite touch spots for dogs include:
- behind the ears
- under the chin
- on the chest
- top of the head
- on the shoulders
- sides of the neck
- sides of the thighs
- on the belly
Keep in mind, though, that each dog is an individual. Some dogs may be fine with you petting them in other places, while others may not like being pet in places that other dogs really enjoy.
“Knowing the dog you’re petting helps you understand their preferences,” Kohanski says.
For dogs of any age, your approach should depend on the temperament of the dog and how well you know them. But sometimes their age can make a difference too.
Adult dogs in good health usually love a few good pets anywhere, Grottini says. She adds, however, that puppies can lack impulse control and bite inhibition and can get a bit rough when you try to pet them.
Senior dogs might have aches and pains you’re not aware of. She recommends starting under their chin and allowing them to offer other areas to pet.
Areas to avoid petting
Dogs generally don’t enjoy being pet on their:
- ears
- paws
- tail
- face
These sensitive areas may feel uncomfortable when touched.
Signs Your Dog Enjoys Your Touch
If your dog enjoys your attention, they’ll likely give you a few clues that they want you to keep going.
A few signs your dog wants more petting include:
- approaching you after you stop touching them
- lying their head in your lap
- positioning their body in front of you
- turning to place a specific body part in front of you
Do Some Breeds Enjoy Pets More Than Others?
“Enjoying touch is very individual,” Kohanski says. While some breeds may enjoy physical touch and affection more than others, what matters most is paying attention to the likes and dislikes of each individual dog.
Kohanski adds that a dog’s preferences can change day to day depending on how they’re feeling. Consistently using the ‘pet, pet, pause’ technique can help you quickly figure out what your dog wants at any time.
When Should You Stop Petting Your Dog?
Sometimes, your dog has had enough pets, and it’s important to pay attention so you know when they’re ready for you to stop. Pausing between pets can help you gauge whether your wants you to keep petting them.
Stopping right away if you notice any signs of discomfort shows them you respect their boundaries. If your dog moves their body away from your hands or steps away from the interaction entirely, you’ll want to avoid petting them for the moment.
Grottini says if a dog starts to back away or growl, this can be a sign of pain. However, it may also offer a clue to somewhere they’ve been hurt in the past. “Dogs with arthritis may not like their joint areas pet, and dogs with back issues like intervertebral disc disease won’t want to be touched at all.”
And for rescue dogs, particularly adults, Grottini notes that you won’t necessarily know about any experiences they’ve had in the past that may affect where they like to be touched.
All this boils down to consent—letting your dog choose when and where they want to be petted.
“Allowing your dog to position themselves in front of you is a good indication of where they’re okay with petting,” says Grottini. And once you’ve got the go-ahead, you can show your dog you love them with a good petting session!
