Dog Community

constantly wants belly rubbed

Posted : 7/17/2006 11:58:12 AM

My year-old chi, Winnie, has becoming really annoying about this.

If my husband or I invite her to sit on the couch, she jumps up and flops over to have her belly rubbed. And if we don't rub it, she whines and noses at us.

If I invite her to sit on my lap, she wants to tuck herself back into my arm and be cradled like a baby and - again - have her belly rubbed.

Oh, and if we pick her up to carry her someplace (which doesn't happen that often) she doesn't like being held like a normal dog, she wants to squirm around to be cradled on her back.

My two-year-old Chi, Petey, is definitely not like this. He likes a good tummy rub, but doesn't try to insist on it. No other dog I've had has ever been so pushy about the tummy rub. And I've never seen a dog that wants to be cradled like a baby.

What's the deal with Winnie? Is there a way to correct this? Right now, when she does it, we put her down or set her in a sit, but the minute we release her, she's on her back.

NicoleS

Posted : 7/17/2006 3:03:13 PM

Our dog looks like he wants his belly rubbed all the time, but most of the time he is scratching his back or just flopping around - and for no real reason either, he has been checked for itchies or fleas or whatever. are you sure maybe your Winnie isn't just itchy?

jones

Posted : 7/17/2006 3:59:23 PM

I think this is probably just a personality quirk. But it's not polite for her to be soooo pushy about it. Just ignore her when she bugs you for belly rubs. If she won't stop, remove yourself to another room. And you may want to teach her a cue word for belly rubs, so that you can flip the tables and offer her one now and then, rather than letting her beg for it all the time.

Dogs will continue to do whatever gets results until it stops getting results. Then they'll try another tack. You, as the giver of belly rubs, have control over when and how she gets what she wants.

Debbie R

Posted : 7/17/2006 6:45:56 PM

I agree w/ the other posters, but I would look at her tummy make sure there is no rash to cause itcheys first. Why does it annoy you to rub her belly when you've called her to be w/ you? and if she wants to be cradled maybe something is bothering her the other way you want to pick her up, but again why does that bother you?

Michelle Boyle

Posted : 7/18/2006 2:36:54 PM

Sounds like there could be some submissive behavior happening, perhaps? If she likes to be on her back, then she possibly is being submissive and might not even be asking you for a belly rub. On the other hand, you say she "asks" you until you give her the rub, so maybe she just has a quirk.

luvmyswissy

Posted : 7/18/2006 7:12:58 PM

Well she likes it!! You obviously enjoyed it too at some point. If it is now annoying you stop inviting her to sit on the couch and on your lap for awhile. And make her walk instead of picking her up. Actually, treating little dogs like babies can actually create anxiety in a dog. I bet if you quit it for awhile she will stop asking. Ignore her if she asks and don't invite her on the couch, let her lay nicely on the floor. I am not saying not to give her love and effection just stop with the bellie rubs for awhile and she will stop asking I bet.

a_ryan

Posted : 7/22/2006 1:24:38 PM

I thought it might be a submissive thing, but I think now it's more of a personality quirk - she WANTS her belly rubbed. It's crazy how much she wants it.

And, we never cradled her , so I also find it weird that she wants to be in that position because it seems unnatural for a dog.

At any rate, we've been trying the ignoring it and she's just persistent about wanting it - so much so that she hasn't been allowed up. I want her to lay next to me like Petey, but not constantly be flipping to her back and kicking and nosing to have her belly rubbed.

I'm also going to try a cue word, but I'm not sure how to go about starting that.

jones

Posted : 7/22/2006 2:42:14 PM

How to put a cue on it...

When she rolls over for a belly rub (not every single time but you choose the instance), give her a cue word - "Belly Rub!" - and a marker - either click a clicker or say "YES!" The marker is really the key because this will mark the moment when she's obeyed the command. I love clickers (and they're less than $2 at Petco) but you can use a verbal marker if you keep it very consistent. Then reward her with the belly rub.