Dogs have touch receptors all over their body, which means it’s important we consider how we stroke them. Toni Shelbourne explains…
There are touch receptors all over a dog’s body; these are more highly concentrated in the pads of the feet and face. Around the nose and eyes are particularly sensitive, which makes sense when you examine how dogs investigate their world.
The receptors are responsible for perceiving pressure, temperature, pain and help the proprioceptive system, which is responsible for assisting a dog to navigate through the environment. Dogs also have a fifth type of touch receptor called mechanoreceptors, which detect indentation and stretch of the skin.
The whiskers on the muzzle, side of the face and above the eyes are extremely important to a dog, and should not be cut, plucked, or pulled. They are as sensitive as our fingertips and play an important role in sensory perception. These specialised hairs help your dog to navigate narrow spaces, and detect the size, space, and speed of approaching obstacles. The whiskers can also assist in finding prey through the subtle changes of airflow, which feel like vibrations to your dog. I have known older dogs who have lost their sight and then struggle to navigate their home when a groomer has shaved their face. If possible, ask your groomer to leave these specialised hairs intact.
Of course, dogs have hair all over their bodies and this can be affected by hormones, diet, the environment and any drugs he may be on. You will also notice that dogs can shed their coat when stressed, as well as their biannual coat change.
So why should we consider how we touch our dogs? Well, the tactile system, and how they use and prefer physical touch is very different to humans. As a member of the primate family, people seem to favour physical contact much more than dogs. And although dogs are tactile, they seek it for very specific reasons like mating, play and social grooming. They tend to like to lay near each other, but you won’t see them constantly nuzzling, for example.
Some dogs I have worked with become very agitated if constantly stroked, with a few even biting their person. This can be confusing as their dog may have laid close by, but it doesn’t mean he
