Dogs like to be petted because it feels good and strengthens the bond with their owner.
Why
- Touch releases oxytocin in dogs (and owners).
- It feels like grooming.
- It strengthens the bond.
- It is calming.
Research
A 2015 Japanese study found mutual gazing and petting raised oxytocin levels in dogs and people.
Best spots
Chest, shoulders and base of the tail.
Avoid
Top of the head for shy dogs.
Signs they enjoy it
Relaxed body and leaning in.
What the research shows
Petting raises oxytocin in dogs and humans. A 2015 study in Science by Miho Nagasawa and colleagues found that mutual gazing between dogs and owners increased oxytocin in both. Gentle petting also lowers heart rate and cortisol in dogs, according to shelter studies.
- Most dogs enjoy chest, shoulder and base of the tail scratches.
- Many dogs dislike hugs and pats on the top of the head, a view supported by a 2016 study by Kuhne and colleagues on stress signals.
- Dogs may stiffen, lick lips, show whale eye (white of the eyes visible) or turn away when uncomfortable.
Reading the dog
A relaxed dog has a loose body, soft eyes and a wagging tail at mid-height. Pause petting briefly and see if the dog leans in for more. This is called the consent test. Puppies socialized before 14 to 16 weeks tend to be more comfortable with touch. Stroking along the direction of the fur is generally more pleasant than against it. Avoid touching a sleeping or eating dog.
Research
Petting releases oxytocin in dogs and humans. A 2009 study by Odendaal and Meintjes found oxytocin increased in both after gentle petting. Dogs enjoy chest, shoulder and base of tail petting more than head patting.
Reading signals
Relaxed body, soft eyes and leaning in show enjoyment. Stiffness, lip licking, yawning and turning away mean stop. Respect the dog’s signals.
Biology of touch in dogs
Dogs have mechanoreceptors in the skin that respond to light touch, and favorite spots are the chest, shoulders and base of the tail. A 2003 study found that petting reduced dogs’ stress hormone cortisol in shelter dogs. A 2015 Japanese study in Science showed mutual gaze between dogs and owners increased oxytocin, a bonding hormone, in both.
Safe interaction
Let the dog approach, pet under the chin or on the chest rather than over the head, and avoid hugging, which many dogs dislike. Signs of stress include whale eye, lip licking, yawning, stiff tail and turning away. Children should be supervised, since the CDC says about 4.5 million dog bites occur in the US each year.
Based on data from the journal Science and the CDC
