NINKOjIN

At least... I think he doesn't? Well, it's not just that. Any time I try to massage Riley, touch his paws or rub his belly or anything like that when he's in a relaxed state, he kind of mouths me like I'm bothering him. I don't think it's aggression, because I can sit next to him and move him in some ways just fine and he doesn't mind. I can also make him get off the couch no big deal. Just seems like whenever I try to give him a belly rub, or roll him over (not the apha way, just the "let me rub your belly" way) he gets nippy and rolls around and kicks at me and stuff.

So... do some dogs just not like it? He's always been this way. Only recently started to bother me because I really want to be more cuddly and hands-on with him. I'm used to my cats letting me do whatever I want to them and they just pur and stretch out... this is new to me. Most dogs I know let me roll them over and rub their belly just fine, but Riley seems to get annoyed.

Should I start incorporating treats and practice getting him to let me rub him when he's relaxed? Or should I just leave him alone if he doesn't like it? Doesn't seem to be any physical issues... he's fine with me touching him when he's not relaxed, and he's just up and about or we're playing.

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Beaumont67

I don't know how mush help I can offer, but I will chime in anyway.

I had the opposite situaltion with our past Amy.
I could wake he up with a touch of my hand and for several years I rubbed her belly, at bed time...for 5-10 minutes, to put her into sleepy time.
I am a very toucky/feely pet owner & talk up a storm with my pets, since puppyhood.
Amy would whine/back talk to me, when she was bored (at night), and I either carried on a conversation with her &/or give her a head pat, grab her muzzle or give her a baby slap on the rear end...never used treats though.
When wife goes to bed, our dobe knew, and automatically turned over on her back, and Mom would give her a belly rub, every night.

So I would encourage, touching her more often, maybe it is just reaching to the side of her belly at first, and baby talk in an exciting voice, of praise.
Start in short durations, but much more frequent...like every time you walk past her, you give her the full attention...with loving hand & voice.
I believe, she just may beg for a fun belly rub, in due time.

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------------Kelly & (Amy - RIP @ 11.7 y/o)

Cathy43

He's playing with you.

Meldrew79

Maybe he's ticklish!

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NINKOjIN

Yeah, it does seem like he's just playing when he acts that way, which is why I am not going to let myself get super concerned about it.

He does similar things when he wants me to get up, though at that time it's much more of a problem, lol... lots of mouthing and kicking trying to get me to get out of bed! I wake up to a "punch in the face" almost every morning now! XP

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Brandy&Melanie

Brandy doesn't it like it either lol. She always gives me this cheeky look, and then rolls back over. This is often accompanied by a rude punch to my face!

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AlyssaN

Murphy hates it too, he loves neck scratches, butt scratches, arm scratches, etc., but as soon as I go for the belly he's all play.

spocksdad

Our Eva has been with us for 4 months- NOT exposing her belly is currently her "thing". I attributed it to being in a new environment and being from previous households with male Dobes. Even with high value treats, Eva won't roll over, she "turns to a stone". (as Elzajpn puts it!) She loves to get touched, scratched and rubbed anywhere on here body, however.


Most Belly EVA Will Expose- She's Slowly Growing More Comfortable!



Spock, our big Dober Doofus, on the other hand, LOVES to rollover on his back when playing with Daddy or Eva, but ONLY at home! He does it with the "Alpha" command and gets a treat or belly rub as reward or just to entice Eva to play and wrestle!!


Spock's Favorite On-His-Back Wrestling Position



A Recent Pic Entitled "Go Ahead Bitch, Take My Frisbee.."

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dglvr

My boy doesn't mind.. but when he's fully rolled over onto his back he's usually in full-on play mode, so I usually incorporate a tug toy. He doesn't mind being rubbed/petted anywhere else though or even on his belly as long as he's on his side.

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Eggman

Howdy,

Could this be a male/female thing with respect to preferring to having one's head petted than..say one's tummy? Our female Airedale enjoyed having her tummy petted, while Lasker (Our red Male Doberman) much prefers to have his head petted. Interesting thread.

Jonesy'sMom

My male loves belly rubs, so I don't think it's a male/female thing...

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~Summer~
Summer's Lost Ark Raider AX AXJ NF CGC(ASCA) RS-E JS-E GS-O
Jynx

When individuals bring nothing but drama to the table... Know it's time to let them eat alone. - Unknown

SpecialK

I never thought about it too much until I got Rowan. When he lays down, if I start petting him he immediately rolls over for some belly rubs. He LOVES them...but that was weird to me. It wasn't until then that I realized that not one of my family's 3 past dobes liked it. Maybe just a personal preference kinda thing?

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"A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself." --Josh Billings

UKC Ch. Bruda Weekend Warrior, TT, CGC, TDI "Rowan"
Bruda Pure Seduction, S.T.A.R. Puppy "Monroe"

Eggman

Howdy,

I wanted to jump back in on this thread..Lasker (Our red male) does in fact enjoy having his tummy petted/rubbed, but only when he's sleepy, like just before bed-time our right when he wakes up in the morning; he rolls over for a belly rub.
During regular hours, he has a strong preference for having his head petted. Our female Beagle from my childhood preferred tummy rubs to having her head petted-just like our female Airedale.