Why The Dog Does Not Allow Himself To Be Stroked On The Head: Non-obvious Reasons

2024 Author: Bailey Albertson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 12:53

Why your dog won't let you stroke the head: 5 unexpected reasons

For the health of dogs, the emotions that a four-legged pet receives from human touch are very important. Usually dogs are very fond of light stroking on the sides, back and head and value the moments in which closeness to the owner is felt especially acutely. But sometimes it happens that the dog flatly refuses to caress and strive to avoid them in every possible way. Here are 5 reasons why an animal avoids human hands and resists the owner's desire to pat him on the head.

Doesn't trust the person

The explanation that the dog behaves stiffly, and in some cases aggressively at any attempt to pat him on the head, may be distrust of people. Usually poorly socialized or once devoted animals behave this way. for example, these are those that found owners, being homeless, after a long stay in shelters and nurseries.

Such dogs may not look different from pets, but a mental trauma inflicted by a person once makes the animal be on the alert all the time. The worst thing is if the dog has been beaten in the past. In this case, human hands will be associated with pain in the mind of the four-legged for a long time.

Such a dog will not hope that it can experience warmth and love from touch. As soon as the hands hang over her head and she loses the ability to control them, the animal's nervous system will react with excitement: it will make the animal pull away and strain. It does not depend on the will of the dog. You may be deeply sympathetic to her, but it will take time, strength and patience for the animal to truly relax and trust you.

The dog's ears hurt

Affectionate strokes on the head are avoided by dogs experiencing pain in the ears. Each touch of a diseased organ causes stress and discomfort in the animal. Often this can be associated with infectious and inflammatory processes, allergic reactions, less often with injuries and injuries. Otitis media affects dogs of all breeds, but owners of long drooping ears are more susceptible to the disease. Due to the structural features, the ears are practically not ventilated, which means that a favorable climate is created for the reproduction of bacteria.

It will not be difficult for an attentive owner to discern that the dog is experiencing discomfort: it shakes its head, constantly keeps it tilted to the side, and combs its sore ear with its paw. Redness and swelling are observed in the area of the ear canal.

Trauma to the auricles or the ear canal is relatively rare, but it is still not worth excluding them as a cause of ear pain in dogs. In any case, the diagnosis can only be established by a specialist, therefore the first signs of such conditions require a prompt visit to the veterinarian.

The dog has a headache

Headache caused by trauma and neurological disease can also be a source of rejection of the host's touch. The dog is irritated, confusion and dizziness is observed, the animal may ignore the owner's voice and have reduced visual and auditory reactions. These signs will help you know for sure that your dog is not doing well. Head injuries require immediate medical attention, as they can be life-threatening for the dog.

Scientists have proven that often headaches in dogs can be a sign of dangerous neurological diseases and manifest as temporary migraine-like conditions, which causes pain, stress, apathy and uncontrollable fear in the animal.

The dog has poor eyesight

Aging dogs, as well as animals with congenital problems with the structure of the visual apparatus, sometimes refuse to stroke the head because it may look like a threat to them. Reduced visual acuity allows you to catch hand movement only at close range, so such touches become unexpected, sharp and frightening for the animal. The dog can instinctively jerk his head away from fright or in the desire to look closer at an object that touches it.

Vision problems are very specific, and by carefully observing an animal, you can always see that it has such difficulties:

• lethargy;
• inattention;
• mistakes and atypical reactions to the actions of others.

The dog has a toothache

It is not uncommon for dogs to have dental problems. This is always painful and unpleasant for the animal, so it will try to avoid your touch. Acute toothache can radiate to the head and ears, making the dog behave strangely.

The animal is not always able to determine the source of pain by itself, and with such manifestations, the picture of toothache will look blurry. The dog may itch and shake its head, refuse to eat and drink, show anxiety and even aggression. The owner is unlikely to be able to reliably determine the severity of the disease and its true cause, therefore, at the first signs of unusual behavior in the dog, it is worth immediately showing it to the veterinarian.

Letting the dog into our lives, we are sincerely happy that we can share the happiness of each new day with our tailed friend. We take pleasure in kissing her wet nose, walking with her and fingering her soft fur. However, the dog in the house is primarily a responsibility, and care must be taken to ensure that it is healthy.