Why Do Dogs Like Their Belly Rubbed

If a dog offers you their belly by all means go hog wild.

Why do dogs like their belly rubbed. And is it weird if some dogs don t. While showing off his tummy is a conscious act that speaks to his relationship with you your dog also undergoes a neurological reaction when you start stroking his fur. When a dog lies on their back with their belly and neck exposed and tail tucked between their legs they re communicating to show you they trust you. Dogs love to have their tummies rubbed so it may not seem obvious as to why such a pleasurable and easy activity needs further instruction and explanation.

So why do dogs like belly rubs. Belly rubbing is a comforting action explains dr. Dogs will generally roll over on their backs for a nice belly rub from people they trust most. Some dogs can t resist a good belly rub and or scratch and the reasons are both behavioral and neurological.

Rubbing a dog s tummy seems like a pretty easy thing to do. Why do dogs like belly rubs. Dog s generally loves petting of any kind but the belly rub seems to bring a special kind of bliss for some dogs. Gruen because just like people he may have different ideas about what.

Peter brown chief medical officer of wagly a veterinary based pet service provider with campuses in california and washington. If your dog isn t a fan of belly rubs no need to worry. As a submissive display and as a request for a belly rub. Dogs adopting a submissive display also called an appeasement display are trying to diffuse social tension by showing that they re not a threat.

Some dogs can t resist a good belly rub and the reasons are both behavioral and neurological. There s plenty of other ways to bond with your canine companion. Let s take a look at the science behind a dog belly rub. They submit themselves before their caretakers for a pat or a gentle massage in his belly.

So when a dog does it to a human they trust it can then be alarming if that human invades their space and touches their soft exposed belly. When a dog does it to another dog it means i trust you and i think you are a good dog to be around. It s important to first understand why dogs show us their bellies at all. They have simply learned to put up with it she said.

Exposed dog tummies beckon a good rub or scratch but why do so many dogs like it so much. The canines do this when they believe and love you. The combination of the two can make tummy rubbing a wholly satisfying experience for your pet if he lets you do. Watch your dog for cues that he would like a belly rub dogs may not wish to expose their bellies in all circumstances such as when outside or in unfamiliar surroundings you don t need to be concerned if your dog doesn t like having his belly rubbed notes dr.