{"id":30179,"date":"2021-05-08T13:33:00","date_gmt":"2021-05-08T21:33:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/puppyintraining.com\/?p=30179"},"modified":"2023-05-13T16:57:37","modified_gmt":"2023-05-13T23:57:37","slug":"why-does-my-golden-retriever-always-want-to-be-petted","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/puppyintraining.com\/why-does-my-golden-retriever-always-want-to-be-petted\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Does My Golden Retriever Always Want To Be Petted?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

If you\u2019re with your golden retriever<\/a>, you\u2019re probably petting him right now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Generally, golden retrievers –and some other breeds–can\u2019t get enough petting. They\u2019re very tactile and love the attention<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some love petting even more than treats or verbal praise.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Golden<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Note from Colby<\/strong>: My Golden, Raven literally has her head on my lap trying to solicit me to pet her while I write.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some Common Reasons Goldens Always Desire To Be Petted<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Your golden goes over to you with big puppy-dog eyes pleading \u201cpet me!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He may also nudge your hand to be clear what he desires. Or he may even put his head on your lap as you\u2019re sitting, watching TV.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can almost hear him pleading \u201cPET ME!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are actually some reasons why your dog does this. And he\u2019s probably not aware of why he has such a yearning to be petted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. He enjoys it! It feels good!<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Sometimes the answer\u2019s as simple as that. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Just as we may enjoy a massage, he may enjoy being petted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. It furthers the bond with us<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Of course our pups don\u2019t consciously realize there are scientific benefits to petting that benefit our dogs as well as us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Petting increases the level of oxytocin in us and our canine companions. This hormone is responsible for the mother-baby connection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s a \u201cfeel good\u201d hormone that helps us trust and be kind to others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Petting demonstrates affection<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Petting our dog usually shows them how much we care for them. They can also show their affection to us by their body language while being petted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If they have relaxed body language and a \u201chappy mouth\u201d in which their tongue hangs out, they probably enjoy the contact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some goldens even rub against us when we pet them. And their tail often happily wags in a relaxed, loose, not stiff, motion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Petting may lead to subsequent rewards<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Sometimes we pet our dogs and give them other rewards after we stop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A reward may be a treat, a toy, a game, or even praise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, according to our dog, it\u2019s a two-fer: getting petted and another reward. It gives even more motivation to be petted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. They may want to be petted because of their anxiety<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

They may pace, whine, and have a tense body. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since being petted may feel great and even lessen stress and anxiety, they may solicit and accept petting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There\u2019s even a type of doggie massage called the Tellington Touch<\/a> which, if done correctly, can decrease a dog\u2019s stress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

6. Petting serves as a sort of \u201csocial glue\u201d that keeps the pack together<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It can be similar to grooming behaviors among many primates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

7. Petting can provide health benefits<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s been established that petting can lower our blood pressure as well as our dog\u2019s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

8. Petting can be a reward for the golden<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Because many goldens love being petted, it can be a reward for other behaviors he performs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, if he comes when called, part of his reward can be petting him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In fact, research shows that dogs prefer petting over verbal praise. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

My golden Brandi loved verbal praise. But being petted was the ultimate reward to her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

9. The dog may be seeking attention<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You\u2019re busy at your computer. Suddenly, you feel a dog next to you looking up with pleading eyes that say \u201cpet me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your dog wants your attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Can I Tell if My Dog Doesn\u2019t Like Petting?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Some dogs don\u2019t love–or even like–being petted. Or they may not like being petted on certain areas, like the top of their head. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Or they may not like the way the petting is being done. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When your dog doesn\u2019t enjoy petting, he\u2019ll probably show you. He may:<\/p>\n\n\n\n