Although some dogs tolerate head pats, most instinctively feel uncomfortable when a hand reaches down from above their head. If you scroll through social media, you'll easily see examples of distressed dogs suffering through pats on the head. To verify how your pet feels, look at your dog's body language.

Unlike with cats and other small animals like rabbits or guinea pigs, there aren't a lot of wrong ways to pet a dog. Your own family pet may enjoy being petted along the back and sides, having the area under the ears scratched, having the top of their head rubbed or getting a good belly scratch.

CHEST RUBS AND BUTT SCRATCHES There's nothing your dog loves more than a good belly rub or a butt scratch! You know that look when they press up against you or roll onto their back means that they want your affection.