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Dog Scratch Zones

by shibashake 38 Comments

Most dogs like being scratched in areas where it is difficult or impossible to get to themselves.

Both Shiba Sephy and Siberian Shania like being scratched on the tummy. Often, they will roll over and look at me with an expectant grin. Then, when I go over and scratch their bellies, they will sometimes make a kind of purring noise.

I love scratching their bellies!

Where does your dog like being scratched?

Shiba Inu Sephy showing his beautiful grin during a scratch session.
Shiba Inu Sephy showing his beautiful grin during a scratch session.

Siberian Shania enjoying a head scratch.
Siberian Shania enjoying a head scratch.

Many dogs also enjoy being scratched on the head. Shania likes being scratched on the top of her muzzle and between her eyes. Sephy likes being scratched around his neck area at the back of his head.

Another secret scratch spot is on their back, right behind the shoulder blades of their front legs. If I get it just right, Shania will start thumping her back legs. It is awesome when she does that!

The inner part of his back leg is another Sephy favorite. He especially likes being scratched on the soft area where the back leg first connects to the body. He will often roll onto his back and orient his back leg so that I may better serve his scratch requests.

Other favorite dog scratch zones include the chest and the base of the tail. However, Sephy and Shania seem less interested in those areas.

Other secret scratch spots include the area where the back leg first connects to the body and behind the shoulder blades of the front legs.
Other secret scratch spots include the area where the back leg first connects to the body and behind the shoulder blades of the front legs.

Scratch, Pet, Rub, or Massage

In addition to favorite scratch zones, there is also the issue of technique.

We may scratch, pet, rub, or massage.

Petting usually refers to a gentle tap applied with an open hand. Often, a dog is petted at the top of his head. Both Sephy and Shania do not enjoy head petting, they will usually duck and avoid.

Some dogs may also see a hand reaching over their head as a threat, and they may get fearful and/or aggressive when approached in this manner by a stranger. When meeting new dogs, it is important to first ask permission from their owner before approaching the dog. Always stand a good distance away so that the dog does not feel hampered in or trapped.

Instead of tapping the dog on the top of his head, it is less threatening to reach from below his head and scratch his chest. It is especially important to teach children the right techniques for greeting a dog.

It is less threatening to reach from below his head and scratch his chest.
It is less threatening to reach from below his head and scratch his chest.

Usually, I give my dogs scratch sessions when we are at home. Scratching is a more rigorous action, and it can sometimes cause a dog to get more excited. As a result, I do not usually do scratching when we are outside for our walks, because there is already a fair amount of excitement in the great outdoors. I find that scratching is best practiced in calm and quiet areas.

When we are out on our walks, Shania will sometimes get very tense when she spots a squirrel or a cat. She is so excited that she is practically quivering with anticipation for the chase. To help her relax, I will sometimes give her a very slow massage. This helps to relax her muscles, and ultimately it also helps her to relax.

I only do this if she is still in control of herself and is able to hold herself back. If the prey stimulus is too strong, it is best to remove the dog from the environment and from the stimulus.

There is also the TTouch method which focuses on massage through a specific circular motion with the fingers or hands.

Based on trainer advice, I tried this method briefly on Sephy in his early puppy days, but it did not have a big effect in calming him. Perhaps it would have worked better on a dog like Shania, who does not escalate as quickly as a high-strung Shiba.

Fierce Shiba Inu Warrior - High-strung, stubborn, and wonderful!
Fierce Shiba Inu Warrior - High-strung, stubborn, and wonderful!

Dog Scratch Zones

Did I miss any favorite scratch zones? Where does your dog like being scratched? Which scratch technique does your dog enjoy most?

Feel free to share them with us below.

Where does your dog like being scratched?
Where does your dog like being scratched?

Comments

  1. Steven says

    October 3, 2018 at 7:02 pm

    My chihuahua likes being scratched on the ear and his back it’s

    Reply
  2. Grainne Mallon says

    January 13, 2018 at 5:06 pm

    My dog is obsessed with having his paws rubbed and held. He loves sitting back and giving us both his paws and he just sits there and almost falls asleep. It’s so cute! And I haven’t seen it anywhere else that their dog finds their paws being rubbed and held so calming as I know a lot of dogs find that a no go area. It’s almost like me holding his paws makes him feel safe and protected? They’re interesting creatures but so cute haha.

    Reply
  3. caroline klein says

    August 17, 2017 at 1:07 am

    The base of the tail and rump is an erogenous zone on dogs and cats so no wonder they love it and try to encourage more lol this is somewhere I avoid but love giving my dogs neck shoulder and back massage it is very relaxing for them and me

    Reply
  4. Anarchyant says

    August 12, 2017 at 3:52 am

    My 4 year old Stuffle (Half Jack Russell and Half Staffordshire Bull Terrier. Looks like a giant Jack Russell) loves it at the base of her head in front of collar. If you scratch and rub gently she will start to go to sleep and if you stop will paw your hand to do it again.
    The funniest bit is if she is standing in front of the sofa and puts her head on it and you do it, she will happily fall asleep standing up….until she goes to fall over to which she will climb up, put head on your lap and “command” you carry on.
    Also loves her backside above the tail done. It gets amusing when you are brushing her there she will push her backside into you as if to say yeah now carry on I want more!
    There pretty much isn’t anywhere she doesn’t like to be scratched or petted.

    Reply
  5. Kate says

    May 25, 2017 at 4:54 pm

    I heard somewhere that gently scratching the upper palate in a dog’s mouth helps the dog feel a sense of trust. Even as I type this it seems ridiculous to me! Do you have any thoughts on this or do you want to forget I asked?

    Reply
  6. Ella says

    January 20, 2017 at 1:31 pm

    My dog loves it when I rub her chest and right under her front legs. She also likes it when I scratch behind her ears

    Reply
    • Lynn says

      March 16, 2017 at 11:50 am

      My dog loves it when you scratch his chest and behind his ears

    • Olivia says

      March 24, 2017 at 6:04 pm

      mine to!!! he is a teacup yorkie

  7. Thedoglover says

    December 19, 2016 at 1:42 pm

    My jackrussel bichon frisée loves an itch all around her neck area, and a soothing rub from her nose up to the gap between her eyes and when she was a puppy she used to shake her leg frantically whenever I scratched her back (sooooo adorable!!!!)

    Reply
    • Veronica says

      October 10, 2017 at 2:55 pm

      My dog loves in the middle next to the spine another body part to try he loves it

  8. Jessica Stormin says

    November 11, 2016 at 3:32 pm

    I have a Pomeranian who likes to be scratched right behind his ears because his legs start pumping like he is sprinting. It is super funny but I don’t know if that is bad. He is only 3 months old, and his sister never does that; although she likes to be scratched in the same place!

    Reply
  9. Bertie. says

    July 23, 2016 at 5:45 pm

    My whippet goes really sleepy, starts to have weird loud breathing and milky, distant eyes when you slowly scratch the behinds of her ears. Is this normal ??

    Reply
    • stacey says

      October 29, 2016 at 6:14 pm

      Yes. Most dogs do the same when they are

  10. Colorfulvividity says

    March 11, 2016 at 11:18 pm

    Our dog Bella loves to be scratched and massaged right on her neck directly under her collar. She makes the happiest, relaxed smiley face you will ever see on a dog, and if she is sitting up while we do this, she will slowly start to lay down because she is so relaxed. She also will start to fall asleep!

    Reply
  11. Ponta says

    July 24, 2015 at 10:46 pm

    The leg thumping is the scratch reflex; our Shiba has these spots almost everywhere.

    But here’s the thing: if we scratch him where he really itches, he’ll grimace—his lips go taught and pull back. We’ve learned that this is the actual “pleasure” sign, not the thumping leg (however much cuter the thumping leg is!)

    Reply
  12. oreo says

    June 10, 2015 at 10:08 am

    His favorite spot being scratched is under his legs and when I scratch Him there he Moves that leg rapidly like if he were running.

    Reply
  13. Grady Starks says

    March 14, 2015 at 9:46 pm

    Hi guys I have a chocolate lab and I can’t find a spot he likes to be scratched I’m so confused BUT If you even touch in between his eyes he goes nuts he goes absolutely crazy drooling and he has a look in his eyes that says I’m gonna to eat something and then he falls asleep like he passed out or something I’m soooooo confused and a little scared tell me is this normal or is my dog posesed

    Reply
    • shibashake says

      March 15, 2015 at 8:54 pm

      How old is he? Has he always shown this behavior? When was the last time he was at the vets? Have you discussed this with the vet?

      If my dog were showing such symptoms, I would take him to the vet to make sure that he is physically ok. Once I am sure that the behavior is not caused by some physical issue, I will start looking at behavioral reasons, such as anxiety. Hiring a professional trainer/behaviorist can be helpful in identifying behavioral triggers/causes.
      https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/virtual-pet-behaviorist/finding-professional-help

      More on dog anxiety.

    • Grady Starks says

      March 31, 2015 at 6:04 pm

      Thank you I went to my vet about a week ago apparently it’s a type of joint spasm the dogs brain connects with the eyes there and it messes with the nerves and the dog crashes much like a sugar rush to us. Thank you @shibashake I really appreciate your site you are very talented with dogs!!!

    • Grady Starks says

      March 31, 2015 at 6:06 pm

      Oh and he’s about 1&1/2

    • Anonymous says

      April 8, 2015 at 6:51 pm

      My chocolate lab had done the same. However now tthat she is about two she’d grown out of it. We never took her to the vet because it was a spot she seemed to enjoy being pet. Also she didn’t go crazy over it but seemed to enjoy it and would fall asleep.

    • Bertie says

      July 23, 2016 at 5:36 pm

      I couldn’t say but my dog reacts like that after a long ear scratch

  14. Anymous says

    January 8, 2015 at 6:37 pm

    My chocolate and caramel labs loves to be scratched between his eyes. Every time I do it help almost like melts to the floor and falls sleep, he gets pretty much mesmerized. His breathing slow down, like it relaxes him. Does anyone know why they do this?

    Reply
    • Sara says

      July 4, 2016 at 4:58 pm

      My boxer does the same thing, he gets all relaxed and sorta melts to sleep. If I stop petting between his eyes down to his nose before he is fully asleep he will stare me down until I start petting him again. He also likes me to hold his paw while he is napping.

  15. geekmom says

    April 27, 2013 at 12:47 am

    My son’s dog likes to be pet everywhere except for the top of his head. What’s strange is that he almost gets mesmerized when I scratch the front of his legs. He watches me do it and zones out then licks my hand. It’s actually kind of creepy.

    Reply
  16. Carolyn says

    March 13, 2013 at 7:58 pm

    My yellow lab Buddy loves to be scratched under his chin. His back legs will start to thump when I get the right spot. However, he doesn’t want me to stop, and sometimes I’ve scratched him raw with my fingernails (or a comb)…but he loves it. Do they make anything for a dog to rub his chin on to relieve his itch?

    Reply
  17. Nathan says

    February 16, 2013 at 7:04 am

    My dogs name is Caroline and she likes being scratched in the chest

    Reply
  18. kav says

    November 16, 2012 at 8:01 am

    Quick question: my dog is a Jindo mix, and when I scratch a certain spot on his back (well, these days it’s all of his back), his back legs seem to go weak, he sticks his nose in the air, eyes closed, ears back, and licks the air compulsively. Sometimes, one of his back legs starts to tap/make scratching movements. A) is this normal? and B) is it hurting him? He doesn’t snap, and when I stop he just sort of looks sleepy and slightly worried.

    Reply
    • shibashake says

      November 16, 2012 at 12:26 pm

      Sounds like it could be “scratch reflex”
      http://animal.discovery.com/guides/dogs/dog-training/behavior/why-do-dogs-shake-their-legs.html
      http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scratch_reflex

  19. Anonymous says

    November 10, 2012 at 6:03 am

    my dog got a scrach on his ere

    Reply
  20. Heather says

    November 21, 2011 at 6:12 pm

    My dog cuddles is the oldest out of my families three dogs and I am the only one who gives her scratches and runs because I know all the right places 🙂 She absolutely LOVES me rubbing her belly and if your hit the right spots her leg goes nuts I sometimes use my nails (gently of course) and scratch it just like I would scratch my own skin she loves it! She also likes in between her legs (where they join to her stomach) and I also tickle her back (not tickle like you would tickle your friend) its more like to help her relax you run your hands or nails (softly) over their back all around not only does cuddles like it but it feels nice for my hands too (because of her soft fur) My mum and grandpa use to tickle my back when I was little to help me go to sleep. My other two dogs (Timmy and Milly) both just like a simple belly rub (no belly scratches or anything) but Timmy really loves behind his ears it makes him go to sleep and Milly enjoys it sometimes to 🙂 Great blog to! xx

    Reply
    • shibashake says

      November 21, 2011 at 8:51 pm

      Cuddles sounds absolutely adorable! I love it when the rear-leg goes nuts. 😀

      As for tickling, all my dogs are very ticklish when I touch the pads on their rear feet. Sometimes, I wipe their feet to dry them, and they get all twitchy. I wonder if most dogs have ticklish feet. Do your dogs have ticklish feet as well?

      Thanks for sharing your dogs’ favorite scratch zones with us!

  21. Molly May says

    May 24, 2011 at 12:58 am

    5 year old shih tzu loves the scratches on head in circular motions as well as in between the eyes. Do that for about 1 minute and she’ll start to slouch wherever she is. Too cute.

    Reply
    • shibashake says

      May 27, 2011 at 10:42 am

      LOL – that is absolutely too cute!
      My Shiba likes the in-between eye scratching as well although not as much as his tummy rubs. 😀

  22. WeirdFish says

    September 14, 2010 at 9:33 am

    My 5-yo shiba/pom-x gets the belly rub and chest scratch. She’s also a sucker for the ear-rub, a gentle massage of the muscles at the base of her ears. If I combine that with a little rub of her face and gentle pull of the fur on the side of her head (where it’s longer because of the pom genes), she pretty much loses all sense of “vertical.” 🙂

    Reply
    • shibashake says

      September 14, 2010 at 7:58 pm

      she pretty much loses all sense of “vertical.”

      LOL! That is awesome.

      Very interesting with the gentle fur pulling – reminds me of how some people like playing with their mustache. I will have to try it out with my Shiba and see how he likes it.

  23. Colleen says

    August 24, 2010 at 5:53 am

    Reptar used to love belly rubs but he’s slowly outgrown them. He’ll rollover as if he wants a belly rub and after a minute or so of it, he just wants to go back to playing. His favorite spot seems to be behind his ears and his neck area. He’ll fall asleep while I’m doing this. It’s a great way to calm him down at night!

    Reply
    • shibashake says

      August 24, 2010 at 11:06 pm

      His favorite spot seems to be behind his ears and his neck area. He’ll fall asleep while I’m doing this.

      What a beautiful image.

      Dogs are too awesome. If only people were more like dogs. 😛

      BIG HUG to Reptar. Btw. is he back to a regular eating schedule? Would also love to see more Reptar pictures.

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