10/24/2025
Could you be the reason your dog doesn't like to cuddle?
If you've had your dog for a long time and the dislike of petting is a new phenomenon, pain due to undiagnosed illness or injury could be the likely culprit. In this case, a trip to your veterinarian is in order to rule out a painful condition. If, however, your dog has always been rather cuddle-averse, it could simply be that it's just his personality.
Just as humans vary in their level of fondness for personal touch and affection, dogs, too, may desire varying levels of physical touch. If your dog is a rescue pooch, also consider that past abuse may have made him fearful of human hands. For dogs that like to be petted sometimes but not others, consider the way you're initiating contact.
In one study of 28 dogs who were petted in nine different ways, most of the dogs showed signs of being uncomfortable when petted on the top of the head or paw. The dogs also showed signs of stress, such as elevated heart rates, when they were held while lying on the ground, held by the collar or had their muzzle covered.
"The dogs' behavioral and physiological responses suggest that some common physical human-dog interactions are perceived as unpleasant by dogs", the researchers explained, which means that if your dog avoids being petted it could be because he doesn't like the way you're petting him.
On the other hand, scratches at the base of the tail, shoulder and chest were well-enjoyed and tolerated by most dogs. How can you tell how your dog likes to be pet? Learn to pay attention to his body language and other signals.
