Okami Posted February 14, 2010 Share Posted February 14, 2010 I am very hands on, Touching my dogs, patting them to show my affection and praise.. My Kara absolutely adores being patted about her head and neck, in fact I think she most loves being touched around her face, ears, neck and across her upper back! My Steve on the other hand Hates to Patted anywhere... long strokes are ok, and scritches all about his ears, neck, back,tummy are very welcome... but he always needs to GO! (He's very busy ) I think every dog is different, and the person who knows the dog best, knows best... BUT Some people do need guidance to start off with and if a new owner isn't great at reading what their dog likes, avoiding possible discomfort (dog doesn't like it and owner cant tell / dog likes it but new owner hasn't quite got the knack) then may be this advice is warranted.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rebanne Posted February 14, 2010 Share Posted February 14, 2010 This concept isn't new, I heard it years and years ago and agree with it. I never pat my dogs on the head, couldn't imagine anything more annoying. Photo's here show dogs being stoked or massaged not patted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tdierikx Posted February 14, 2010 Share Posted February 14, 2010 I tend to squat down and go in for the gentle chest scratch myself... haven't yet met a dog that didn't like that... *grin* T. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Casima Posted February 14, 2010 Share Posted February 14, 2010 My Benny is not an affectionate dog at all, infact he will often avoid anyone who looks like they want to "wipe their yukky human hands" on him the one and only kind of pat he seems to actually enjoy is on the face, top of muzzle and head or sides but I don't mean the light slaps kind of patting, I've never met a dog who was keen on that? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poodlemum Posted February 14, 2010 Share Posted February 14, 2010 Tell that to Cody. He loves it. If you stop before he's ready, he shoves his face back into your hand. That's a Poodle thing, too Genralizations, whether about dogs or people, are foolish. I once had a trainer tell me that my dog leaning on me was a sign of dominance - er, no - ALL Poodles do it, in my experience! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poochmad Posted February 14, 2010 Share Posted February 14, 2010 I very rarely go pat-pat on our dogs head, I do think it would be annoying. However, lots of scratches, long strokes and long movements occur on a daily basis. However, upon saying that I don't do a pat-pat, our dogs are so needy for touch, any touch we do is fine by them - except maybe a poke in the eye... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monah Posted February 14, 2010 Share Posted February 14, 2010 I have been prompted to post this picture of my Pointer from our DOL meet today.That's him with his head shoved between someone's hands... eyes closed in rapture. He always does that when he's irritated. Poor little bastard. Is that a pointer?? My girls both love to shove their heads into your hand or between legs! Love to be rubbed, stroked, held, kissed etc. all over the face and head. However, if anyone approaches the viz from the front with a hand heading toward her head/face, she gets nervous (strangers) and backs off. I can imagine a hand coming toward your face/eyes could be nervewracking if you don't know the person. I don't 'go in for the kill' with dogs who don't know me, I let them have a good sniff etc. and wait until they are very comfortable. No, I don't pat either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimmay Posted February 14, 2010 Share Posted February 14, 2010 When I was a kid at a friends place I went to pat their dog under the chin and it gave me the evil eye and let out a realy low growl, my friend then told me noone could pat him under the chin because he hated it, everywhere else was fine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
horus Posted February 14, 2010 Share Posted February 14, 2010 Generally speaking, the top of the head is a vulnerable place for dogs (and probably most animals) as they can't see it. Same for the neck as that's where most predators aim for to kill. Dogs do not greet another dog by patting or stroking the other's head or neck but humans do, probably because it is convenient for us to reach and because we humans like to have our head stroked so expect the dog to want the same. One of the well known dog authors (who I can't actually recall - maybe it was Karen Pryor?) says in one of her books that dogs do not like to be cuddled ie have an arm put across their shoulder and back as this is a sign of dominance. We need to remember that dogs communicate far more by body language than verbally and that we can send them mixed messages in our attempts to show affection. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Purpley Posted February 14, 2010 Share Posted February 14, 2010 Was it in the context of meeting a new dog, or a dog that you are quite familiar with. I think a little more clarity is warranted before people can truly comment. Just in case you missed my question the first time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7464 Posted February 14, 2010 Share Posted February 14, 2010 Ah, patting vs stroking. My answer is still the same for Cody. I pat him on the head as well as stroking. And he comes back for more of both. However, I'd never do it to a dog that wasn't mine. But then, I'm not a huge fan of patting or stroking other people's dogs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pipsqueak Posted February 14, 2010 Share Posted February 14, 2010 Some people really thump dogs when they pat them.. very different to stroking. Bit off topic, but people ALWAYS do this the minute I start listening to a dog's heart. Thump, thump, there's a good dog, stay still for the vet, thump. Argh, my ear holes!!!! The dog with the loudests thumping owners are usually the ones standing rock solidly still too On topic, if that statement was prefaced with 'never pat a strange dog on the head or neck' I'd agree. Shoulder or chest is much less threatening to them. Meanwhile, my two dogs are fans of the 'insert head under human hand and pretend its like a pat' maneouvre. OT again... Hope you don't mind me asking, but I've always wondered what vets would prefer owners to do when they're trying to listen to heartbeats. I try to gently hold the head and give a gentle ear scritch, so that my dog know that everything is okay.... and try to remember not to talk too much!!! Please let us know what vets would prefer. Also, can you enlighten me also as to how vets would prefer us to hold our dogs when they're about to give an injection? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blacklabrador Posted February 14, 2010 Share Posted February 14, 2010 I have been prompted to post this picture of my Pointer from our DOL meet today.That's him with his head shoved between someone's hands... eyes closed in rapture. He always does that when he's irritated. Poor little bastard. Is that a pointer?? It sure is. Solid orange Pointer. He's so beautiful! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blacklabrador Posted February 14, 2010 Share Posted February 14, 2010 This concept isn't new, I heard it years and years ago and agree with it. I never pat my dogs on the head, couldn't imagine anything more annoying. Photo's here show dogs being stoked or massaged not patted. Well it's difficult to tell from a still shot, until the "pattee" explained what she was doing. He actually doesn't mind what you do as long as you're touching his head. Patting is fine too. According to the dictionary "patting" includes stroking. at 1 (pt) v. pat·ted, pat·ting, pats v.tr. 1. a. To tap gently with the open hand or with something flat. b. To stroke lightly as a gesture of affection. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Golden Rules Posted February 14, 2010 Share Posted February 14, 2010 Was it in the context of meeting a new dog, or a dog that you are quite familiar with. I think a little more clarity is warranted before people can truly comment. Just in case you missed my question the first time. Was it in the context of meeting a new dog, or a dog that you are quite familiar with. I think a little more clarity is warranted before people can truly comment. Positive reinforcement of your own animal. No definitions of pats or glides either. Never been a head thumper myself I love it when people read threads properly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bubitty Posted February 14, 2010 Share Posted February 14, 2010 Patting, stroking, muzzle chewing, Bitty and Bubby love it all!!!!! I wouldn’t do it to any other dog besides my own though! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7464 Posted February 14, 2010 Share Posted February 14, 2010 Patting, stroking, muzzle chewing, Bitty and Bubby love it all!!!!! I wouldn't do it to any other dog besides my own though! You chew their muzzles? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mersonmalinois Posted February 14, 2010 Share Posted February 14, 2010 "It irritates them" "How would you like it"? I disagree with the trainer. My dogs all like it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Purpley Posted February 14, 2010 Share Posted February 14, 2010 Was it in the context of meeting a new dog, or a dog that you are quite familiar with. I think a little more clarity is warranted before people can truly comment. Just in case you missed my question the first time. Was it in the context of meeting a new dog, or a dog that you are quite familiar with. I think a little more clarity is warranted before people can truly comment. Positive reinforcement of your own animal. No definitions of pats or glides either. Never been a head thumper myself I love it when people read threads properly Oops. Ah ok, thanks for that. Your own dog and positive reinforcement I can't see an issue with doing it. Having said that, I prefer to give mine a big pat on the side or back, but that's cause my dog is spring loaded and will often get over excited if I patted him on the head. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bubitty Posted February 14, 2010 Share Posted February 14, 2010 Patting, stroking, muzzle chewing, Bitty and Bubby love it all!!!!! I wouldn't do it to any other dog besides my own though! You chew their muzzles? Hehehe just a bit of soft chomp! No teeth! They have very chubby cheeks perfect for chomping on!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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