My dog, a 120 lb. Rottie, is a big "huggy". After I finish hugging him,
(which I often do), he shakes himself vigorously. After a hugging session
during a check-up at the Vet's office, and he displayed this behavior, the
doc stated he wants to make sure nothing flew off of you and onto him
(jokingly, I hope). My question is how many dog owners experience this same
shaking ritual, and do you think this is some "instinctive" behavior to
guard against what my Vet suggested?

"Norman M. Schwartz" said in
rec.pets.dogs.behavior:

My question is how many dog owners experience this same
shaking ritual,

My dogs shake for a huge number of reasons - probably more for
fixing their hair when they turn around or settling their
collars after they're put on than as part of a ritual. Let's
not even get into wet and muddy shakes. I suspect that such
things can turn into a ritual, though.

and do you think this is some "instinctive"
behavior to guard against what my Vet suggested?

Nope.

--
--Matt. Rocky's a Dog.

disagrÉÉ with jerry, the dog is shaking due to autonomic reflex
respose due to divine ebergy passing through him, or his coat is
perhaps a tiny bit wet, Étc.
there is no need for correction, as the dog is normal, É,nd you are
very kind to ask about your lovery dog. it shows that you are a lovibg
and caring ownÉr!
É,
isis

Rocky wrote:
"Norman M. Schwartz" said in
rec.pets.dogs.behavior:


My question is how many dog owners experience this same
shaking ritual,


My dogs shake for a huge number of reasons - probably more for
fixing their hair when they turn around or settling their
collars after they're put on than as part of a ritual. Let's
not even get into wet and muddy shakes. I suspect that such
things can turn into a ritual, though.

I read recently that the shaking is a form of stretching/re-aligning
themselves. (And of course, getting the collar settled.)

Kate

kate wrote:

I read recently that the shaking is a form of stretching/re-aligning
themselves. (And of course, getting the collar settled.)

I don't know what it's for, but I sure wish I could do it the way
my dogs do - starting at the head, ending with the butt, with a
few leg shakes thrown in for good measure. It looks like it
really feels good! (Having ears that flap would of course help
with the overall effect.)

FurPaw


--
"Don't believe everything that you think."
- Seen on a bumper sticker

To reply, unleash the dog

shaking is caused by too much vanilla ice cream. it would be more
prudent to vary the variety of the dog's ice cream *port*ion,s perhaps
chocolate or any other flavour than vanilla will help, as the same same
gets tiring for wor*king* dogs and after allaht, variety is the spice
of life.
jery, hiv ya seen barberella lately, she is working too HARD at the
secretarial job she has, or whatever she does, but i think she is also
wanting a different variety of ice cream like me, i like it both ways
either or, cuz i am a show dog after all!
isis!

FurPaw said in
rec.pets.dogs.behavior:

I don't know what it's for, but I sure wish I could do it
the way my dogs do - starting at the head, ending with the
butt, with a few leg shakes thrown in for good measure.

Apropos shaking. While washing a dog and noticing the beginning
of a very wet shake, grasp the back of the neck. If you grasp
the point at which the shake begins, you're now wet.

--
--Matt. Rocky's a Dog.

Rocky said in rec.pets.dogs.behavior:

If you grasp
the point at which the shake begins, you're now wet.

Sigh. If you grasp the point at which *you think* the shake
begins, etc.

Some friends grab their dog by the tail nexus to stop him
flinging water. They're all wet.

--
--Matt. Rocky's a Dog.

Rocky wrote:
Rocky said in rec.pets.dogs.behavior:


If you grasp
the point at which the shake begins, you're now wet.


Sigh. If you grasp the point at which *you think* the shake
begins, etc.


Yep. Grab the withers right at the base of the neck. That will stop a shake.

Apropos shaking. While washing a dog and noticing the beginning
of a very wet shake, grasp the back of the neck. If you grasp
the point at which the shake begins, you're now wet.


The way I understand it, a wet dog will shake if it's head is wet. So when
washing a dog, do his head last and he won't shake throughout.



"Rocky" wrote in message
...

FurPaw said in
rec.pets.dogs.behavior:

I don't know what it's for, but I sure wish I could do it
the way my dogs do - starting at the head, ending with the
butt, with a few leg shakes thrown in for good measure.

Apropos shaking. While washing a dog and noticing the beginning
of a very wet shake, grasp the back of the neck. If you grasp
the point at which the shake begins, you're now wet.

--
--Matt. Rocky's a Dog.