When should dogs not be stroked

In the process of interacting with dogs, petting them is a loving way of interaction that can bring us closer and make our relationship more intimate. However, not all times it is appropriate to pet a dog. Understanding when not to pet a dog can not only avoid unnecessary trouble, but also show respect and care for the dog.

When dogs are eating

It is best not to touch a dog while it is enjoying its food attentively. Eating is an important and instinctive thing for dogs. In the wild, staying focused while eating is to prevent food from being taken away by other animals and to efficiently obtain energy. Although most dogs now live in safe home environments, this instinct still exists. When you stroke it while it is eating, it may make the dog feel uneasy and threatened with their food. Some food protecting dogs may even make warning sounds, such as growling, or make aggressive movements, such as baring their teeth, not because they dislike their owners, but out of their instinctive protection of food.

Imagine that you are enjoying a delicious meal with hunger, and suddenly someone keeps bothering you, you will also feel irritable. So, in order to allow dogs to eat with peace of mind and maintain a good eating experience, we should give them enough space when they eat, and wait for them to finish before engaging in intimate interactions.

When dogs are sleeping or resting

Dogs need sufficient sleep to recover their physical and mental strength. When they are sleeping or resting quietly, touching them rashly may wake them up from their slumber, making them feel scared and uneasy. Just as we humans may feel upset when suddenly awakened from sleep, dogs can also experience negative emotions due to disrupted sleep.

Especially for some dogs or puppies with sensitive personalities, their sense of security is relatively low. When their sleep is disturbed, they may experience stress reactions such as barking incessantly, running around, and even accidentally biting their owners due to panic. So, when we see dogs curled up in a corner quietly sleeping or lazily lying on the ground resting, try not to disturb them and let them enjoy the peaceful time.

When a dog is in a state of fear or tension

When a dog is faced with situations that make it fearful or nervous, such as encountering unfamiliar large animals, hearing loud noises (such as whip and cannon sounds, thunder), being in unfamiliar environments, etc., petting does not have a calming effect, but may make it even more nervous. At this moment, the dog's attention is highly focused on the things that make it fearful, and its body is in a state of stress, remaining alert to everything around it.

Touching the dog will make it feel like there is another uncertain factor, increasing its psychological burden. For example, during thunderstorms, a dog may hide in a corner trembling with fear. If it is forcefully touched, it may struggle, dodge, or even bite due to excessive nervousness. We should provide a safe and quiet space for dogs, allowing them to gradually alleviate their fear emotions. After their emotions stabilize, appropriate comfort and companionship should be given.

When a dog is sick or injured

If a dog is sick or injured and its body is in an uncomfortable state, petting it may touch its painful area, making it feel even more painful. Moreover, dogs that are sick or injured are usually emotionally fragile and more sensitive to pain, and petting them at this time may trigger their aggressive behavior.

For example, when a dog's leg fractures, its leg will be very painful. If you touch its leg without your knowledge, the dog may bite you due to the unbearable pain. So, when we find that a dog is mentally lethargic, has poor appetite, or has obvious wounds on its body, we should not touch it casually, but take it to a veterinarian as soon as possible for professional doctors to examine and treat it. During the treatment process, it is also important to follow the advice of a veterinarian to avoid affecting the dog's recovery due to improper petting.

When unfamiliar dogs are unfamiliar with you

Do not touch unfamiliar dogs rashly. Dogs have a certain level of vigilance towards strangers and unfamiliar environments. When you reach out to touch them, they may see your behavior as a threat and react defensively. Even a seemingly gentle and unfamiliar dog should not be taken lightly, as you do not understand its personality and experiences. It may have suffered harm from humans, harboring fear and hostility towards them.

When approaching a stranger dog, we can first squat down to make our body look less threatening, then speak softly to it and observe its reaction. If the dog shows a friendly posture, such as wagging its tail or actively approaching, then try gently stroking its chin or back, but also pay attention to its emotional changes at all times. Once you notice signs of tension or discomfort, stop petting immediately.

Understanding when not to pet dogs is an important prerequisite for us to live in harmony with them. We love dogs, so we should respect their feelings and needs, and give them the right amount of care at the right time. Let us interact with dogs in a more scientific and reasonable way, accompany them through every happy time, and let dogs grow up healthy and happy under our care.