Traveling With Your Dog

Dogs are so cute. They have big expressive eyes, wrinkled brows, and that special way of cocking their head to the side to look at you. They also like to roll on their backs and show their belly. Why do they do that?

Dogs are no fools. They don’t ask for much, but when they roll over, it is a sign to the discerning owner that he is ready for a tummy rub. If the world was made of a bunch of hands, dogs would be in heaven. Tummy rubs send them shooting off to the moon.

For dogs, lying on their backs is a submissive position. With their legs in the air, they are vulnerable to attack from other animals. It is a part of their instinct even if they are domesticated. Animals don’t normally volunteer to take on a position of vulnerability.

If your dog rolls over on his back in your presence it signifies that he trusts his company. Some dogs do lie on their bellies as a submissive sign because of their personality, but this is different from that and should be encouraged. When a dog trusts his owner that much, it is a day of true bonding that should be remembered.

The fur on a dogs belly is very fine and short or nonexistent. He uses his belly to get cool when the air is hot. Lying on a cold floor or on his back with a gentle breeze gives him comfort and pleasure. There are more nerve endings there. The area is very sensitive to touch.

Rubbing a dog’s belly is the best feeling in the world to him. Massaging that sensitive part of his body would make him giggle with laughter if he could. Instead, the friendly, pleasurable touch sends him off to sleep on cloud nine. Dogs know when they are in need of a little affection from their owners and will be so bold as to hop up on your presence and make you take notice. It is belly rubbing time.

Now that you know why they lie on their backs, it is time to do something about it. Learning to rub a dog’s belly is not hard, but important for your dog’s satisfaction and bonding. Start with the chest area. Rub gently in a circular manner. You can talk calmly and in a loving manner to your dog while you give him a tummy rub.

Rub his bare belly. You can use your finger tips to rub in a circular pattern. The nerve endings are so sensitive that this will make him happy. It is also okay to grip his body as you rub. Think of a child. You may rub his belly and roll him gently from side to side with the same movement. The resulting rhythm is pleasing and like a lullaby without words.

A firmer tummy rub is also okay. As long as the pressure doesn’t hurt the dog, it is stimulating to him and his skin. Rubbing his upper hind legs as a part of the tummy rub will also relax him. For larger dogs, you may need to use both hands for a soothing tummy rub. Roll your dog on his side and rub his tummy or kneel over him to do it while he is fully on his back.

"Dogs are not our whole lives, they make our lives whole." Roger Caras

Fran Gratton

Fran Gratton RubMyBellyToo.com POB 107 116 Gay Street Phoenixville, PA 19460 610-933-5810 888-558-3837

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Phillipians 4:13