How to pet a dog? The good gestures
Table of Contents
Petting a dog is often a commonplace gesture for the master who uses it to show his affection to his animal or to congratulate him on a good deed. However, the caress is far from being so trivial, because its meaning is quite different for the dog. Indeed, it can sometimes be unwelcome, refused, even administered at the wrong time and produce the opposite effect to that expected. But then, when can you pet your dog? When is it best to avoid this gesture? How to pet your little companion? What are the right things to do? Let's find out in this file.
Petting your dog: yes, but not in any context
Stroking your dog or a dog is most often an act that the master
performs to show his affection for his animal, whether this action is
voluntary or not. It is akin to a kiss or some other sign of affection
that we might communicate to our human relatives.
However, the caress should not be given lightly to the dog. This
gesture has in fact a completely different meaning for the animal, which
is why it should not be distributed in any context. Why ? Quite simply
because a caress at the wrong time can generate hyperattachment ,
reinforce bad behavior, cause concern or even frustration.
You will therefore have understood it, if it is good to stroke your
dog, it should not be done anyhow or at any time.
When can you pet your dog?
A dog that is used to being petted all the time, for no apparent
reason, will not perceive this gesture as a reward. However, the
caress is very useful in the context of learning to congratulate your
dog when he has done well. If it is given wrongly and through, the
master will no longer be able to use it in the context of his
teachings, because it will no longer have any meaning for the dog, it
will have become a banal gesture of everyday life and which is due to
him. .
The direct consequence of an outpouring of caress and the
trivialization of this gesture lies in the fact that the dog will
consider it normal and due and he will therefore not understand why he
is not systematically caressed when he asks for it. . This can alter
the master/dog relationship and the dominance relationship to the
point of encouraging the pooch to show his displeasure in different
ways, including adopting destructive behavior .
As a master, you must initiate contact and decide when the stroke is
appropriate. However, not every moment is welcome, because, as we have
indicated, the petting must be considered by the dog as a reward. If
misused, it can have a completely opposite effect.
We agree, you don't plan to tell your dog he did the right thing or
give him a treat or his favorite toy when he behaves badly. The same
goes for the caress. If you caress him when he does a bad deed, the
dog deduces that you are reinforcing him in his action and that you
are encouraging him to start again, which he will hasten to do. So
avoid petting your dog in these bad times.
You need to choose the perfect timing so as not to risk reinforcing
inappropriate behavior. If your pooch jumps on you when you get home,
the petting will encourage him to start again. So of course, this
probably doesn't pose a problem for you, but tell yourself that he
risks doing the same with your guests and with the children, who may
be surprised, injured or frightened. Not everyone is comfortable with
such an intrusive pooch. Besides, will you still be so happy when he
jumps on you when he has dirty paws and you're wearing a nice outfit?
In this case, you risk pushing him away, or even scolding him. For
doggie, this will be totally incoherent, because in his head, you most
often validate his behavior by caressing him, but you sometimes
lecture him.
Finally, note that the caress distributed when the dog is frightened
or anxious is just as inappropriate. When their little companion is
frightened, many masters seek to soothe him with a caress. Big mistake
! Because this gesture will ultimately encourage the dog in his fears,
because it comforts him in the fact that there is good reason to be
afraid. Since you are trying to reassure him, there is definitely a
danger, so that does not reassure him. This will even contribute to
accentuate his anxieties.
When should you avoid petting your dog?
For the dog, the caress is not always a positive act insofar as
certain doggies do not appreciate physical contact. Even if this
does not concern the majority of dogs, it is important to respect
this specificity.
If the dog backs away, turns its head or eyes, yawns or licks its
nose, it sends signals to signal that it refuses to be touched in
this way. Absolutely respect this refusal, because you risk
unbalancing your dog/master relationship. In addition, your animal
may be forced to react violently to make you understand that he does
not want this contact, in particular by biting. Some dogs even go so
far as not to approach their master to avoid any physical contact.
Other forms of rewards can very well be put in place as a
replacement, such as a treat, a game session or other.
Do not forget that the refusal of contact must be respected, in
animals as in humans. Your dog may well have been the victim of
abuse or have a trauma that he associates with this gesture. Respect
him above all and do not insist.
Of course, you do not caress a dog when he is sleeping or when he
has isolated himself in a refuge area. It needs tranquility and it
is essential to respect it. The same goes when he eats. Do not
disturb him when he is feeding, as dogs generally do not appreciate
this intrusion during this privileged moment.
Finally, as we have said, do not pet your dog when he is afraid or
when he has just had a bad behavior so as not to reinforce it.
How to pet a dog? The good gestures
The caress must remain a gesture of pleasure for the dog.
Therefore, if your dog refuses any such contact, respect it and
don't insist. Find another form of token of your appreciation or
congratulations.
Remember, the petting must be given in the right context, that is
to say to reward the dog who has essentially acted well or to show
him his joy at seeing him again after an absence - but without
overdoing it in this cases to avoid hyperattachment.
Nevertheless, the context is not the only point to respect.
Indeed, to be accepted and appreciated by the dog, the caress must
be well done. We therefore avoid any sudden gesture, any
uncomfortable movement, any inappropriate situation and any
attempt at contact that is too intrusive.
Obviously, if the dog tries to escape the caress, do not insist
and respect his choice. So if he backs away, tries to run away,
growls or bares his fangs, don't touch him.
Always approach the animal facing it, so as not to surprise it,
and hold out your open hand towards its nose while speaking to it
gently. By this precaution, you are asking your dog if he agrees
to be petted, which is an important mark of respect in the context
of the master / dog relationship. If your dog consents to the
petting, he will tend to move towards your hand, sniff it or even
lick it. As soon as doggie accepts the contact, it is best to
touch it at the level of the neck rather than on the head, because
many dogs do not appreciate this too intrusive gesture.
Of course, teach your children very early on to make the right
gesture and to respect the possible refusal of the dog. It is
imperative that the little ones understand the importance of not
disturbing the dog when he is eating or sleeping, but also the
fact of not insisting when the animal refuses contact. Don't
hesitate to warn your guests if your little companion is in their
presence and contact is difficult for him.
Finally, and even if your dog has accepted the caress, as soon as
he shows rejection or a need for tranquility, do not insist and
stop touching him. It is important to respect his boundaries in
your relationship.
Tags:
Raising of Dogs