It is a human way of indicating affection that dogs learn to accept and tolerate. But it can make them feel a little uncomfortable. Hence the shake afterwards, which is simply a way of defusing that feeling of social pressure.
Fixing the Fur It may seem that he's trying to put his fur back in place after you've disturbed it, but it's really because dogs react to extensive handling or touching by shaking. It's the canine version of "shaking it off." You'll find he may react the same way to a lengthy scratch, even though he enjoys it.
Why do dogs shake their fur constantly? Your dog may have irritated skin, an itch that it can't scratch or an ear infection it's trying to shake it loose.
Most experts agree, that many dogs don't actually enjoy being hugged very much. It is a human way of indicating affection that dogs learn to accept and tolerate. But it can make them feel a little uncomfortable. Hence the shake afterwards, which is simply a way of defusing that feeling of social pressure.
Dogs shake their bodies for all kinds of reasons, including excitement, pain, old age and being cold. While shaking, shivering and trembling are all natural responses to how they are feeling, you should always contact your vet if your dog is behaving in a strange way.
Upon waking, the shake is a way of getting a dog's body ready to move. It's a way to warm up the muscles, just like when we wake up and stretch.
After the meeting, you may notice your dog shake his body. Or Fido may be feeling stressed by the stranger walking near your house. When he's done barking, he may shake. It's your canine kid's way of letting go, very similar to how a human may self-calm by taking a deep breath.
Dogs shake to dry off, release tension, keep clean, or sometimes as the symptom of skin irritation or an ear infection.
It's a harmless signal to dogs that actually puts them at ease. So, since a dog sneezes during playtime to indicate she's having fun, it stands to reason that she sneezes when you pet her because she's enjoying herself and also enjoying being the recipient of your attention and affection.
Well, it isn't so mysterious. We call this response the scratch reflex. It's an involuntary response, much like the one that occurs when the doctor taps below your knee (the “knee-jerk” reflex). Our reflexive kicks are similar to our dogs' kicks.
To Cool Off Though dogs do sweat a little bit from their paw pads, this cannot sufficiently cool them off. Instead, dogs cool themselves through their mouths. Panting allows dogs to release heat and exchange it for cooler air. As you may imagine, this is not a very efficient process.
If your dog is yawning when you pet him, it's not because he's relaxed. It's because he's excited that you're giving him attention. He will also yawn when he's about to go for a walk or do anything else that's a fun activity for him, like playing fetch with you, running through the sprinklers, or going in the car.
If you are petting your dog and he starts groaning, this shows that he is delighted and wants you to continue. This reaction is similar to what human beings experience during a massage when tension is leaving their muscles. Groaning after activity shows your dog is tired and is ready for some rest.