Haven't Quite Figured This One Out Yet....

[Helly]

I noticed something last night, as I was petting Oli, and I've been mulling it over since then. I know you've probably all experienced something like this, and maybe someone might have a clue as to what was being "said."

I'll bet everyone has had one or more dogs who will nudge their nose under your hand, asking for a petting. I've had lots of dogs do that, and it's pretty obvious what they're asking for. But Oli did something almost like that while I was already petting him.

I know he likes to have his chin rubbed, and he relaxes when I scratch his chest, so that's what I was doing when he nudged his nose into my hand, slid it upward until my hand was covering his eyes, and stopped. He got this blissful look on his face and let out a big sigh. I left my hand there for a minute, then moved back to his ears, around his neck, and darned if he didn't do the same thing. So I gently took both s and starting about half way down his muzzle I lightly rubbed up his muzzle, stopping when my hands were over his eyes. Again, the big sigh and blissful expression.

I spent several minutes (at least 15) moving my hand to another area of his head, only to have him nudge my hand until I was covering his eyes.

Soooo, that led me to experiment with Whiz. Danged if he didn't do the same thing! He curled up, tucked his little head into my hand, so I was covering his eyes, and just seemed to zone out. It was almost like he was hypnotized. Very odd.

I guess I should add, though it's hard to explain, that when they did this they lifted their noses slightly, so there was moderate pressure against my hand, as if they were "leaning" into it.

They weren't asking for pets. I know how they ask for pets. I don't think they were scent marking me. I'm afraid if I smelled any more like them I wouldn't be allowed in the door at work, LOL. It was obvious they were saying something. Maybe a doggie version of a hug?

[dgpaw]

My smooths do the exact same thing, they love for me to gently rub by their eyes and underneath them, they become limp noodles!! Mine too will stop at their eyes when they want that area to be messaged.

[bednbones]

Ooooooh

I have one dog that is always a bit stressed .... just his personality or maybe because he was a rescue.

I'm gonna try this on him.

[Debbiedogs]

My dog LOVES face/eye rub

My little Terrier mix who can be quite testy loves me to rub by his eyebrows and top of nose, around eyes - it's almost like he has a headache and touching there eases it. I don't really think it is a headache thing, but it reminds me of MY reaction when I have a headache and someone rubs and the pain eases.

It is a good spot for lots of dogs, and I guess it's a spot where they feel tension and yet don't get rubbed much. Since my Terrier was so obvious about loving it early on when he didn't even like most regular petting, I have tried it on many dogs, and most of them "melt".

[PuppyFluffer]

One of my favorite secret weapons

The areas around the eyes, the stop, the bridge and muzzle of the nose, are all acupressure massage points. Gentle massage in a circular motion, or even just simple pressure on the areas can work wonders calming down an animal - dog, tiger, horse, or iguana...it doesn't matter. It just flat feels good. Try it on yourself when you have a quiet moment...it'll make you happy.

Another area that has a similar effect are the ears. Fingertip massage at the base of the ear and gentle rolling of the ear leathers between and forefinger works wonders in helping to calm an anxious or frightened animal, and it's worked in probably 95% of the cases that I've dealt with in the last 20 years or so. Frankly, I think this is one of the reasons why I'm able to successfully work with certain animals that are otherwise an utter nightmare for others. Between acupressure, t-touch, and an over-abundance of patience, there are few animals that I cannot eventually reach.

[neanea]

I use this all the time (have been for a while) with dogs that seem a little stressed at work. As a matter of fact, I was working on a little Shih today that I used this technique on and it works wonderfully. She relaxed and let me continue my work around her face and eyes. She almost looked like she was going to sleep! She's a know Biatch for grooming (ask Turner, hehe) and I've done her a few times now and her owner can't believe I can get her face so nice and clean.

The reason it works, goes back to when they were puppies and the dam would clean them by licking their faces. One of those primal things, like denning.

[windywaycavaliers]

I am not sure just what their meaning was, but this entire story gave me a very good feeling inside. It made me mellow just reading it. It sounds as if you and your dogs are very, very in tune with one another; picking up on such small behaviors and copacetic mannerisms--must be a very loving home you all share!

[Smart-n-Pretty]

I wish I could picture it. I would love to make my dogs that happy.

[Helly]

I am not sure just what their meaning was, but this entire story gave me a very good feeling inside. It made me mellow just reading it. It sounds as if you and your dogs are very, very in tune with one another; picking up on such small behaviors and copacetic mannerisms--must be a very loving home you all share!

See, that's what I was getting at. It meant something. I am definitely in tune with my dogs. I know when Oli is trying to say something, and he was saying something. He's a great communicator. I just couldn't figure out what is was. I may have a clue now, though.

He was in pain! He couldn't get into his bed last night because his hip was hurting. He had caught his foot in his leash earlier that day, and sort of tripped. So I think he may have been seeking comfort, and at the same time trying to let me know he was hurting.

I've used similar touching to "hypnotize" rabbits and birds, but never thought of doing it with a dog. Until now.

I think we could all give this a try when we have those little dogs who WILL NOT let us scoop their eyes without a huge battle. Perhaps we can "put them in the zone" just long enough? I'm certainly going to try it. If we could all try it, and revisit this post in a couple of weeks to share our results, it could be a great chance to learn for many people who've never heard of this before.

[lefty]

horses too!

I've used similar touching to "hypnotize" rabbits and birds, but never thought of doing it with a dog. Until now.

>>>>>>>>>

An old ferier that I used to use for my horses taught me to rub around their eyes, and it would relax the horses so he wouldn't have to use a 'twitch' to trim and file their feet. Apparently it releases endorphins. I've done it with dogs that were difficult to do around their faces, and it really does help.

[SpikeyTheYorkie]

Icon couldn't care less, but Spike seemed to think he was in heaven. It doesn't help that my hands are like sand paper though!

Tammy in Utah

[windywaycavaliers]

I gotta say, I am really liking where this entire Holistic Grooming forum might be headed, and thanks to Helly for the development of this thread to get the ball rolling. I like that we are talking less about products and more about interaction and related topics.

[psykoreo]

teehee

thats the spot i use to put my dogs to sleep -_-;;

[D'tails]

My dogs do this all the time. They do it to each other when they are very calm and relaxing with each other. They will lay there and gently lick each other over the eyes, muzzle and forehead.

They also nudge my hand and force my hand over their eyes when they are calm or sleepy and want me to take them upstairs to bed - usually late at night when it's past their bedtime.

I see it as a sign of relaxation, affection and pack bonding - similar to how a dam gently grooms baby puppies in the whelping box.

[neanea]

As I stated before, this behavior goes back to puppyhood and it's a form of social bonding known as Allogrooming. It shows trust, reduces conflict, and tension, as well as, displays a form of submission to a dominant pack member (which can be the person).