Although the legs of dogs are designed to resist permanent contact and friction with the ground and provide stability to their body, the truth is that it is a very sensitive part where various nerve endings come together. For this reason, it is common for dogs to be annoyed when their paws are touched, even when this contact comes from their guardians.
Does your dog hate having his paws touched? So you probably don't get to clip his nails or regularly check his feet for parasites, wounds, or other abnormalities. However, on our site, you can learn why dogs don't like their paws touched and learn some tips to start getting your furry used to be checked in this region. In addition, you will also be able to expand your knowledge about canine behavior and discover why dogs cover their snouts with their paws. Read on to learn more about your best friend!
Why does your dog hate having his paws touched?
The body of dogs has some especially sensitive regions, in which we find a large concentration of nerve endings. A touch in these regions can cause an exaggerated response from your nervous system, something similar to what happens when someone touches us right where we are very ticklish. For this reason, it is common for dogs to not like to have their tails, paws or ears touched.
We must also remember that many of the human demonstrations of affection will not necessarily be assimilated by our furry ones as such. Dogs are not used to kissing, hugging or offering or sharing paws as a way of expressing affection or friendliness. That is to say, we will not see two dogs shaking hands, hugging each other or providing caresses on the paws of their peers to communicate their emotions. These displays do not make up the body language of dogs, so it is perfectly understandable that the vast majority of dogs do not like hugs or petting in his paws, and in this article we delve into the subject of hugs: "Why does my dog not like to be hugged?".
However, we must be vigilant to detect if this rejection of handling of the legs is accompanied by other symptoms. In some cases, dogs hate having their paws touched because they feel pain, itching or have a wound in this region. If your dog has injured its leg, it is best to sanitize it and go quickly to the veterinarian. In the clinic, the professional will be able to perform a physical examination and verify the complexity of the wound. Also, on our site, you can learn about the best home remedies to heal wounds on dogs' paws.
On the other hand, a dog's rejection of being touched on its paws or tail can also be associated with trauma A dog that has experienced negative situations, such as physical or mental abuse and mistreatment, may associate this caress or touch attempt with some traumatic event that it has experienced in its past. In these cases, the animal will most likely have exaggerated reactions if someone tries to touch it, such as trying to run away, involuntarily urinating out of fear or becoming very aggressive. If you have recently adopted a new best friend, it is interesting to try to find out more about his past in the shelter or shelter where you have adopted him. Also, when you notice any symptoms of phobias, stereotypies or other behavior problems, don't hesitate to quickly consult a veterinary ethologist.
But don't all dogs like their paws touched?
Not necessarily As with humans, there are also dogs that have greater sensitivity in their paws, ears or It's tail. Therefore, each furry can have a different response when someone tries to manipulate the most sensitive regions of their body. Some dogs may show their discomfort in a more "subtle" way, trying to hide their paw and showing signs of calm, such as yawning, turning their heads or licking their lips, while others may adopt a defensive posture and even attack, especially if a stranger tries to touch them in its most sensitive parts.
If your dog hates having his paws touched and reacts very negatively when you try to check him or trim his nails, this is probably a “weak spot” in his body. However, if you notice that your dog's character has changed, becoming more aggressive, nervous or hyperactive, don't hesitate to go quickly to the veterinary clinic. Some diseases that cause pain or harm the senses of our furry can lead to hypersensitivity and behavioral problems.
Also, as each dog is the owner of a unique organism and personality, it is possible that some dogs even like to receive caresses or massages on their paws, especially if they have beenused since they were puppies by their guardians to letting themselves be touched in this region. In adult life, this habit represents enormous advantages, since it will be easier to check the legs and cut the nails of our dog.
Remember that the limbs of dogs are in constant contact with the ground, it is possible that the animal comes into contact with dirt, pathogenic agents or sharp objects that can cause injuries or cuts. In addition, it is essential to rule out the presence of ticks and other ectoparasites, as they can lodge in the dogs' legs, where they can easily hide and feed.
Because of all this, although your dog does not like to have his front and rear legs touched, it will be necessary to get him used to allowing himself to be handled in this region. Ideally, we start teaching our dogs to allow us to touch their paws from their first months of life, always with great care and respecting the limits of our furry ones. With patience, dedication and the use of positive reinforcement,you will see that your furry will gradually be able to accept that you check his paws. On our site, you can find the best tips for handling your dog's paws and trimming your dog's nails at home.
And what does it mean when my dog covers his face with his paws?
Do you wonder why your dog covers his face with his paw? Among the many curious things that dogs do, we find the habit of putting their paws on their snout or face, as if they were covering them or hiding.
Actually, There is no single explanation for why dogs put their paws on their faces. There are several possible causes for this canine behavior, so we must be attentive to his body language and the context to know why your dog covers his face or snout with his paws.
Below, we summarize the main causes that can help you understand this behavior:
- Clean impurities or residue from his faceIf the dog detects any residue that bothers him on his face or rheum in his eyes, he you can try to remove them using your own paws. He may also try to clean food debris from his mouth or snout after he has finished eating. To prevent your dog from injuring himself doing this, it is essential to provide him with optimal hygiene of his body and his environment, in addition to correctly cleaning the crust from his eyes and possible food remains from his face.
- Relieve itching When a dog feels itchy on his face, in his eyes or in his mouth, he can use his paws to scratch himself and relieve the discomfort generated by itching, as well as rubbing with pillows, mattresses or other household objects. The first thing you should do is check your eyes, face, mouth and ears to see if you find impurities or foreign bodies that may be causing itching. Then, if you do not find any residue, it is best to consult a veterinary doctor. Allergies and also some diseases can make our furry itchy, so we must be vigilant if our dogs constantly try to scratch their faces, eyes or ears.
- Pleasing you or getting something he's interested in As you know, dogs are highly intelligent and sensitive animals that can quickly assimilate our responses to their behaviors. If your dog perceives that by putting his paws on his face or his muzzle, he earns a treat, a caress or recognition from you, he may repeat this behavior just to please you or to receive something that interests him. In addition, if your dog knows that this gesture is funny or cute, he can also use it to calm you down and communicate that he doesn't want conflicts with you, especially if he perceives that you are angry or if you directly scold him for some unwanted behavior. In this sense, remember that scolding and punishment of any kind are dangerous and counterproductive methods in the education of dogs, since they expose them to contexts of high stress and fear, which can lead to numerous behavioral problems. To correctly teach your furry and correct inappropriate behaviors, give preference to positive reinforcement that will not only encourage their cognitive abilities, but will also strengthen the bond of affection and trust between you.
