04/10/2025
🐕Let's talk: Belly rubs...
"To rub or not to rub, that is the question." -Leanne (just now)
💡 Did you know? Dogs should their bellies for more than one reason, and it's not always for belly rubs!
Spot these behaviors in the dogs in your life to see if it's a yes or a no:
❌On their back and stiff
✅On their back and wiggling
❌Tense face- avoiding eye contact
✅Loose face, makes eye contact
❌Does this when overwhelmed, bombarded or under duress
✅Flops over out of joy and fun, not tension
❌Paired with cowering, submissive urination, ears pinned back, tail tucked, rapidly wagging tail end
✅Paired with loose body language, and willing engagement
❌Seems relieved when you stop, go away, may shake off and try to decompress after
✅Seeks more belly rubs at other times, when they could easily avoid or do something else
❌When you stop rubbing their belly, they stay still or even get up and leave
✅When you stop rubbing, they move their body in a way to get your attention (pawing, looking at you, giving kisses, rolling over more)
⚠️Even dogs who say yes sometimes, may say no other times.
❓So, do you think Willow wanted more belly rubs?
🙏🏼Learn about the species in your family, so we can stop perpetuating misunderstandings that escalate to fights, bites, shelter surrendering and unnecessary stress!
