Warning signs dogs don’t want to be stroked

Even the most affectionate dogs don’t necessarily want to be cuddled and stroked all the time. For dog owners, understanding your pet’s body language is the key to figuring out what they’re thinking when they can’t always show you in the way you might like.

It’s no secret that dogs can’t express their emotions in the same way that we can, but just as our body language might give away how we’re feeling, it can do the same with dogs, too.

Still, a dog’s body language isn’t as intricate as ours can be, and it’s easy to mistake one thing as a sign of something different. For example, dogs may flatten their ears to show they are fearful or anxious, but it can also be a sign that they’re concentrating.

And as one dog owner explained on social media, even one of the most universal signs that your dog is happy or excited could actually be telling you something else – including that they’re not in the mood for being touched.

It’s important to heed the warning as it stops your pets feeling uncomfortable – and may prevent dangerous or reactive situations occurring too.

In a TikTok video, a woman who regularly posts videos about her dog, Momo, shared a clip in which she showed the type of body language that would make her stay away from her furry friend and not touch her.

She filmed herself standing over her dog while she was lying on the sofa and “squeaking” at her in an excitable and happy voice, expecting her to jump up and greet her.

But when Momo stayed where she was, the woman could immediately tell she didn’t want to be touched thanks to a few signs she gave her – including that her tail was wagging.

The woman captioned the video: “A brief example of a dog that does not want to be pet.”

As she approached, Momo lifted one of her back legs to prevent her owner from getting closer, and her tail began wagging. She also licked her lips several times, and as her owner got closer in the hopes she would “change her mind” on being touched, the dog’s body remained “stiff”.

Dogs generally wag their tails when they are excited, but it can also just be a sign that they are overwhelmed. They can also wag their tails when they’re nervous or scared, and you must look at other context clues to work out how they’re really feeling.

Lip licking and yawning, however, are often signs of nervousness or discomfort in a dog. Seeing Momo lick her lips was a warning to the owner that she didn’t want to be petted.

Commenters on the woman’s video were thankful for the insight she gave, as many said they would have been convinced that the dog wanted her belly rubbed – which could have ended in them getting bitten if the dog really wasn’t in the mood.

One person said: “The number of people who don’t understand consent for dogs is crazy. Some dogs don’t want to be pet at certain times.” Another added: “I forgot about this! Thanks for the reminder.”

How to tell if your dog doesn’t want to be petted

According to Cathy Madson, a dog behaviour expert at Preventative Vet, there are some signs you can look out for that might indicate your dog doesn’t want to be touched. They include:

• Turning or leaning away
• Heavy blinking when hands are approaching them
• Walking away from you
• Lip licking or yawning
• Wide eyes
• Growling or snapping

A good test for whether a dog is happy to be petted is to invite them to come over to you by patting your legs. If they come over, you can then pet them gently on their chest or shoulders.

Pet them for three seconds and then stop. If the dog moves closer or nudges your hand for more, they are giving you consent to continue petting. If they turn away or show no interest in seeking more petting, then you should not force further contact.