A dog loves a belly rub because it feels so tail waggingly good! All those nerve endings in their bellies send a signal to their brains, and the next thing you know your dog’s eyes are rolled back and their tongue is hanging out with glee. Tummy tickles are a brilliant way to bond with your dog. When we rub their bellies, it releases the love hormone, oxytocin. Oxytocin makes dogs feel safe and loved. But there are a few things to remember when tickling your furry friend!
A dog’s personal space is important. Humans have a number of options when it comes to protecting themselves but when a dogs space is invaded, they may show threatening behaviour. It could be a low growl, or a show of teeth. You want a simple belly rub to be a good bonding experience with your dog.
Top 7 Tips for Keeping a Belly Rub in the Love Space
- Approach your dog from the side, not from the front or back.
- Try rubbing their tummy with a flat palm or flat fingers instead of your fingertips.
- Rub their tummy in a gentle, circular motion.
- Avoid rubbing their tummy too hard.
- Pay attention to your dog’s body language. If they starts to growl or whine, stop.
- If they kick it’s probably because you’ve activated nerves that send messages to their spinal cord. This can cause their legs to kick reflexively.
- For some dogs it’s better to rub them on their chest rather than their tummy. Their exposed skin can make a tickle much too sensitive for them.
7 Best Tickling spots for your pooch
- Base of the Tail
- Shoulders
- Behind the Ears
- Under the Collar
- Under the Chin
- Upper Chest
- And of course… the Belly! Try tickling their chest and rubbing their tummies. You want your dog to trust you in their personal space.
Make every day love your dog day!
