Injury
Dogs are notoriously good at hiding pain. This is actually an instinctual survival tactic. In the wild, dogs would never want to show their weakness. This is difficult on pet owners, though, because it can be hard to figure out when your pet is in pain. As pet owners, we want nothing more than help our pets feel good and to have a good quality of life.
If your dog doesn’t want to be touched in a certain area, it’s likely that he has injured himself. Any dog can injure themselves, but an active dog that runs and jumps a lot is more prone to injury. If your dog is experiencing other symptoms such as limping or whining or putting weight on a certain body part, this could indicate an injury.
Uncomfortable
Dogs can be very particular in how they like to be touched. It’s possible that you are touching your dog in a different way than usual, and he doesn’t like it.
It’s also possible that you’re touching your dog in a way that is not comfortable to him. Perhaps you are touching him too harshly, or perhaps you’re talking too loud when you’re touching him.
If your dog suddenly doesn’t like to be touched, experiment with petting him in different ways.
Anxiety
It’s possible that something in the environment could be making your dog anxious or fearful. Something like changes in the household or even things like thunderstorms can affect our dogs. If your dog is anxious, it makes sense that he doesn’t want to be touched at that time.
If you’ve started treating your dog differently, it’s possible that he doesn’t like it and is now anxious. If the household has been louder than usual and you’ve started scolding your dog, this may lead to him not wanting to be touched.
What To Do About It
As pet owners who love our dogs, it can be hard on us when we feel like our dogs don’t trust us or love us. It’s difficult when they don’t want to be touched.
What happened?
When your dog stops wanting to be touched, think back to the first time that your dog acted this way. It would be helpful to consider everything that was happening at that time. This will help you narrow down the possible cause and try to fix it.
For example, if your dog was not moving as much as the first time when he started not wanting to be touched, an injury is very likely the cause.
What’s different when you do touch your dog?
If your dog does let you touch him at times, it’s important to try to figure out what is different during those times. Are you approaching him more slowly? Are you touching a different area of his body? This just means that your dog is very particular about he is touched, and it’s important to touch him in the way that he is comfortable with.
Change your approach
Many people try to pet or touch dogs by approaching them directly and then extending their hand over the dog’s head or body. Most dogs actually don’t like this, and it makes them uncomfortable! Try to approach dogs slowly. You can also angle your body and turn slightly away from your dog with your back to him. This is a much less intimidating stance than approaching your dog directly. You should also lower your hand to your side and then slowly reach out to try to touch your dog’s chest or side. Most dogs like this much better than when you pat their head.
Use positive reinforcement training techniques
If there have been changes in the household resulting in your dog being anxious, it’s important to give him time to calm down. Anytime your training your dog, you should use positive reinforcement training techniques. You should help him feel comfortable with his surrounding environment, instead of scolding him for doing something wrong.
Be Calm
Your dog suddenly not wanting you to pet him is frustrating, but it’s important to remain calm and patient. You don’t want to rush your dog in any way and make him uncomfortable. If you’re in doubt of how to touch your dog, it’s always best to start with a very slow and gentle approach.
Limit Anxiety
If your dog doesn’t want you to pet him because he’s anxious, try to figure out the cause of anxiety and remove that. If there have been changes in the household, it’s best to be patient and calm and try to touch your dog once he settles down.
See a Veterinarian
Anytime your dog has a sudden change in behaviour, it’s important to see a veterinarian to rule out any medical causes. It’s always important to get expert medical care sooner rather than later so that you can start any recommended treatments so that your dog can feel better.
Conclusion
A sudden change in your dog’s behaviour towards touch can be a result of a variety of factors, from physical discomfort to emotional stress. Understanding the root cause of your dog’s behaviour is key to resolving the issue and restoring a happy and healthy relationship with your furry friend.
Whether it’s through working with a professional, seeking medical attention, or modifying your own behaviour, there are many ways to help your dog feel comfortable and secure once again. With patience, understanding, and a little effort, you and your dog can enjoy the loving bond that comes from touch and affection.
