Do you ever wonder why your dog adores ear rubs? The answer to your dog’s bliss goes deeper than you may think. Learn more and get tips for giving your dog the ultimate ear massage.
Your dog wants you to know something. Although the way to his heart is through his stomach (and of course, spending time with you!), there’s a good chance it’s also through his ears. You’ve seen the signs when you rub your dog’s ears, his eyes close in contentment, and may even fall asleep — he’s in doggie bliss.
How come ear rubs are adored by nearly all dogs?
It’s the undivided attention a person gives their dog and their gentle touch, that goes without saying. And it’s all of the nerves present in a dog’s ears; a dog’s ears are sensitive to the touch because they contain a network of nerve branches, and the nerves send impulses throughout the body. When you rub your dog’s ears, endorphins, which are the natural ‘feel-good’ hormones, are released and relax and calm your dog. And even better, studies demonstrate that people benefit just the same. Simply the act of petting a dog or cat releases human endorphins, it’s just one of the many benefits of sharing your home with a pet.
How to rub your dog’s ears
Every dog is different, but Woof Reporter Larry, a Lab-Border collie mix, is in absolute bliss when I rub his ears from the base down to the very tips of his ears. I also gently rub the inner ear folds with my fingers or knuckles and gently squeeze the folders of his ears as I move them in a circular motion. Try various methods to find your dog’s favorite!
Next up, stretch your fingers, find a comfy spot, and give your dog a nice long ear rub – you will both enjoy it!
100% agree! My Greyhound Wilson absolutely adores having his ears gently massaged and makes some quite very content sounds when this is done.
The problem is, he seems to want it done for about 20 minutes flat and if I stop he sticks his nose into me to start again!
A really great article that will make most of us dog owners quietly chuckle and nod in agreement!