How to tell if my dog wants petting? When should I not pet them?

Thank you for contacting Pet Coach with your question about Nyla. It could be she has an upset stomach or feels painful, leading to her restlessness. She may have to go to the bathroom badly. Try taking her outside to see if that helps. If it doesn't, keep an eye on her tonight, and if this behavior continues to the morning, have her seen by a vet. Best of luck, I hope this helps.

When a dog is repeatedly presented with a pleasurable stimulus in the presence of a frightening, anxiety-producing, etc. stimulus, the expectation is that he will gradually shift his focus to the pleasurable stimulus, and the negative one will lose its power over him. You can see the change in his body language. He will be more relaxed, with less-to-no whining, growling, barking, lunging, etc. His panting will lessen, eyes will not look as "wild," hair over the withers will not be standing on end, and so forth.

Hi there. Many dogs don't like to be petted on top of the head, since it can feel threatening for them. I would suggest petting her on the chest or under the chin instead. Over time, as she becomes more comfortable around you, she may be more willing to allow you to pet her head.

It differs depending on the animal. Some animals pant, some cower, cats hunch their backs, dogs will raise their hackles. Also, if the animal is in pain, they could be breathing fast, panting, or even have an increased heartrate. Some animals pace while others hide. I hope this helps. If you are wanting to know about something specific, please write to use again with a more specific question with more details. Thank you!

That’s hard to say, if only Baby Girl could talk! Those are all signs of anxiety but licking the lips and hiding can also indicate an upset stomach. Monitor her eating very closely and watch for any changes. Also watch her for any vomiting, diarrhea or changes in her water intake. If you see anything that appears to be illness, make sure to have her seen by her veterinarian. There are also medications that she can take to help with anxiety and it may be worthwhile to call her doctor. Anxious dogs often respond well to exercise and I recommend a 30 minute vigorous play session every day or a long walk. I hope this is helpful and please feel free to post any additional questions.

If Lily does this with growling and ears back, stop petting her immediately. Do not pay her any attention until she relaxes. Begin to make her "work" for everything. This can be as simple as sitting before going outside, before eating and before playing. Do not allow her to initiate contact. It must be done when you want. Do not allow her on furniture or bedding. Provide a bed for her on the floor. All these actions will teach her what her place is in the home. You must be firm and consistent. Praise and reward good behavior, correct negative behavior immediately. Of course, it may also be a benign reflex because you are scratching her "itchy spot". It all depends on her behavior while she exhibiting the lip curl.

Bella could be panting because she's hot or stressed. Being stressed can also cause her to tuck her tail between her legs and have her hair on her back stand up. Monitor her for now, and if this behavior continues over the next 12-24 hours, I would have her seen by a vet for a health check to be safe.