When a dog does not want to be pet. It can be confusing

We can’t even begin to tell you how many people come to us saying:Show more

“My dog asks for belly rubs and then attacks us!!”

That’s because the belly up isn’t always an invitation for affection.

It’s an appeasement behavior. Meaning the dog is trying it’s best to avoid conflict, but if pushed too much, things could go sideways.

Cora is with us for six weeks aggression rehab. She is a KNOWN biting dog who is capable of serious harm.

For us to put that amount of pressure on her right now would be irresponsible and foolish.

Eventually we will start working her more and more above threshold, but that doesn’t always involve going for physical touch right away, if ever.

Some dogs simply do not like physical touch, and it’s not fair to push that on them. Trainers and owners need to know what is an acceptable amount of pressure to put on dogs.

Now, if she wouldn’t allow things such as collaring up or grooming that would be a different story (those things are necessary in a pet dogs life) however, a dog that doesn’t enjoy a ton of physical pressure put on them? It’s reasonable and sometimes that’s just the dog.

We won’t know for sure til we really get to know her and work with her more. But we are barely a week into training.

Our rehab program is a process. And it’s not something that can be achieved overnight.

Cora is learning day by day that certain behaviors like barking, lunging and growling at us are DEFINITELY not acceptable.

But when she gives us subtle cues like this? We respect the dog and continue the training without creating unnecessary conflict.