Rub the chest or the base of the neck to help a dog settle down. These are the spots where your pet cannot reach to scratch, so a touch there usually stops it from fidgeting.
While most dogs will stand still for a chin rub, they often pull away when you touch their paws or tail.
You will see the reaction immediately – the dog will either lean into your hand for for more or walk away.
Neck Rubs and Head Massage
A neck rub or head massage is a great way to show affection. Most dogs love this because it feels like when they lick and clean each other, which helps them settle down.
Rubbing the neck does more than just smooth the coat (it helps the dog relax after running or guarding the yard). To begin, approach calmly and start with slow strokes from the top of the head down to the shoulders.
This area is always itchy, so a simple rub feels incredibly good to the dog. You can see it working when the head drops, the eyes close, or a slow wag of the tail starts.
Under the Chin
Dogs can’t reach the area under the chin to scratch, so your pet will often lift its head to give you more room around the jawline.
You can feel the weight lean into your hand just to keep you from stopping. It’s the easiest way to settle the dog down, especially when it is on alert or patrolling the yard.
Watching the head eventually drop onto your palm is the best sign of trust you can get.
Chest and Belly Rubs
Have you noticed how dogs stretch out on their back the moment you sit nearby?
Taking a seat next to the dog is usually the signal for a long rub across the chest or belly, especially after a walk or time spent in the yard.
Slow, steady strokes starting from the neck and moving down to the belly get the best reaction.
A firm rub often makes a leg start twitching in the air, or causes the dog to stretch out even further to give you more room for your hand.
Side of the Thigh
Rubbing the side of the thigh often makes the dog lean into your hand or shift its weight.
If you scratch just above the back knee, you will usually feel the dog push back against your fingers to keep the pressure steady.
It is an easy way to keep the pup standing quietly by your side while you talk or wait.
Areas to Avoid
Pushing your hand directly toward the eyes or nose usually makes the dog flinch or turn away.
Most dogs are protective of their paws, so gripping the feet or pulling the tail can cause an immediate defensive reaction!
Instead of reaching for those sensitive spots, focus on the chest or the neck where the pup feels more secure.
If the ears pull back or the “muzzle stiffens”, move your hand away.
My Sarplaninac Dogs and Puppies
My Sarplaninac dogs press their full weight against me the moment I start rubbing them under the chin or across the chest.
They stay quiet and wait for every move of my hand, but the second I stop, they usually jump up and push for more play.
The puppies do the same, tripping over their own paws just to get back to my hand for another round. I use a sharp command or a stern look until they back off and settle.
Once they realize the petting is over, I have a good laugh to myself – just never where they can see it.
It’s all about striking a balance between love and discipline with these energetic pups.
Conclusion
Every dog has its own personality. One will lean its full weight into your hand for a chin rub, while another might just walk away.
The puppies are the same – some stop messing around the second you touch their chest, while others need a sharp command to settle down.
The most important thing is to enjoy the time with our (little) champions.
Thank you for your time and attention.
