Why do dogs like to have their bellies scratched?

Why do dogs like to have their bellies scratched? We always feel enormous pleasure when we see our dog showing us his belly; and we immediately want to scratch it. It is a moment of connection between our pet and us.

But why do dogs like to have their bellies scratched? Does it mean that they put on their backs that they want us to caress them? In this article you will find out what your dog is trying to say with this gesture. Don’t stop reading!

What does it mean for a dog to show the belly?

Surely you have observed several situations in which your dog turns on the ground and shows the belly. Sometimes you curl up on the couch and stretch your legs up so that you have better access to your belly. At that moment you know she wants you to caress her. But what happens if you see an unknown dog doing this gesture?

Is it always a request for caresses?

That a dog teaches the belly can be for several psychological reasons. For example, it can be a sign of submission because you are afraid. Or on the contrary; it is a sign of confidence and he is asking to scratch his belly because it fascinates him. You should know that if a dog shows you the belly; it is adopting the most vulnerable posture; since it leaves it totally exposed and with little possibility of defending itself against an attack.

Therefore, if you find a dog on the street showing you the belly; it is advisable to move away slowly so that it sees that you are not a threat. You may detect other signs of appeasement; such as sticking your tail between your legs, pushing your head away, and licking your muzzle.

If you notice your nervous dog in new situations or with strange people and show them the belly, it is better not to scratch the animal. We will explain to strangers that it is not a sign that you want to be scratched, but that you need a little time to get used to it. It would be best to leave it alone and wait until you feel more comfortable and approach only when you have your ears and tail raised.

Of course, he can also show his belly to caress him. But why do they like to have their bellies scratched? We’ll look at it below.

The caresses on the belly gives them security

Now that we have seen that dogs show the belly as a gesture of submission and respect, it remains to be known why dogs like to be scratched their bellies.

It is evident that scratching our dog’s belly can be a tender moment, an act that reassures him and provides security. When you get on your back and ask for pampering, it’s time to bond with your tutor. They like it because they feel safe and loved, a childhood memory when they slept with their siblings. In fact, getting on your back is clearly one of the postures of a happy dog.

How does your dog feel when you pet him?

Dogs do not always interpret caresses as signs of affection. In your world, that depends on the area of the body in question and the situation. That comes from the world of wolves, when the alpha places a paw on top of his body to show who the leader is. Now that we have seen what a dog feels when you caress him in the belly, let’s see what caresses mean to him in other areas of the body.

Caresses on the head

This is a very delicate area, so it is not advisable to caress the head of an unknown dog. It could be interpreted as a threat, because this gesture is very authoritarian. If it is the guardian who caresses this area, for your pet it means that he is happy and satisfied with his behavior.

Caresses on the back

When dogs place one paw on top of each other’s backs, it is very likely that they are friends and that they are playing. So they kindly show that they would want to be the dominant one during the game. Therefore, the caresses in this area are taken as a kind gesture that means: “we are friends”.

Caresses on the side

When dogs feel comfortable with one of their own, they rub side to side. It is taken as a friendly greeting. Therefore, if you pet your dog on the side, he will interpret it as a gesture of trust and friendship.

Caresses on the neck

With the caresses on the neck you have won the dog, because it is for them the sample of maximum confidence and affection. He feels protected and loved because of the memory of his mother licking him when he was a puppy with his brothers in the litter. If he extends and moves his neck so that you caress him better, you have managed to recreate in him that tender memory.

How to pet a dog’s belly?

First you have to find out if the dog really asks for pampering or is actually submissive out of fear. If it is an unknown dog or it is a strange situation for him, in a new place, better wait for a calmer moment to pet him. Let him come to you and smell your hand to gain confidence.

Both in the belly and in the rest of the body, caress the animal, always with consideration and affection. To make you feel at ease, start with less delicate areas, such as the back. Many dog tutors have become accustomed to giving small taps with the palm of their hand on the back of their furry, as a sign of their affection. But it’s not something dogs like, because it poses a threat to dogs. The animal may become frightened and react unexpectedly.

On the other hand, all dogs are different, therefore, they have different tastes and characters. Sometimes they don’t like to have their bellies, head scratched or their tail touched. Never forget that your pet is a living being, that he has the right to be treated with respect and that he deserves love and affection. In any case, the best way to pet a dog is to get down to its height, squat and if you detect that it rejects the caresses, leave it alone.

With the above information, we have managed to answer the question Why do dogs like to be scratched belly?