How To Tell If Your Dog Is Asking For A Belly Rub (And What To Do If You Don'T)

Many dogs like to have their bellies touched. It's important to know what your dog is telling you before you go in for petting. Dogs who actually want a belly rubbing will usually show the following body language signals: tongue lolling, tail wagging. Most people find it easiest to watch the dog's tail and mouth. A tail wag is not the same as a full-body, loose, loose tail wagg. Dogs can't easily scratch their own tummies, so they rely on humans for help. The best way to teach your dog to trust you and love belly rubbing is to respect him when he says "No, thank you. " Try open-palmed, fingernails-in, circular, or even patting motions. .