If your dog stopped wanting to be touched, you might be wondering why and what you can do about it. This post will show you a number of possible causes and what you can do about them.
So, why doesn’t my dog want to be touched anymore? Possible reasons why your dog does not like to be touched anymore are that it has an injury, intimidation, something causing it to be anxious, or you started touching it differently.
There are actually a number of possible causes and it might be due to a combination of them. However, there are a number of things you can consider when figuring out the main cause and there are a number of things you can do about it.
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Why doesn’t my dog like to be touched anymore?
Below are a number of possible reasons why your dog does not like to be touched and what would make each of them more likely.
Injury
The cause could be that it has gotten an injury. This would be more likely if your dog has stopped wanting to be touched suddenly and if it has been showing other signs of having an injury such as limping or crying when you touch it in a certain spot.
Intimidation
Another possible cause is that you have been intimidating it. This would be more likely if your dog doesn’t want you to touch it when you approach it boldly, when you touch it strongly, or when you are being loud.
You started touching it differently
Another possible cause is that you started touching it in a way that it does not like. This would be more likely if you started touching it in a different manner and if it does let you touch it when you touch it in a certain manner.
Something in its environment causing it to become anxious
Another possible cause is that there is something in its environment that has been causing it to be anxious. This would be more likely if it has stopped letting you pet it since a change in its environment such as if you moved homes or if it does it more at a certain time such as when another dog is around or when there are loud noises outside.
Things to consider about your dog not wanting to be touched
Below are some things to consider to help figure out the main reason why your dog has been doing it.
What else happened when your dog first stopped wanting to be touched
It would help to consider what else happened when your dog stopped wanting to be touched. If it stopped wanting to be touched at the same time that it stopped moving around as much, it would be more likely to be due to an injury. Whereas, if it started doing it when you started touching it differently, it would be more likely that it does not like the way you have been touching it.
What is different when your dog does let you touch it
If your dog does let you touch it sometimes, it would also help to consider what is different when it does let you touch it. For example, if it does let you touch it when you approach it slowly, it might be the case that it gets intimidated sometimes.
What to do about your dog not wanting to be touched
Below are some options you have when dealing with the behavior.
Be calm with it
As mentioned above, it might be the case that your dog has been doing it due to being intimidated. Instead, it would help to be calm with it, to touch it gently and to approach it calmly.
Get help
If your dog has started doing it suddenly and it has been showing signs of being injured, the best option would be to take it to a vet. By taking it to a vet, you should be able to rule out medical causes and to get expert advice tailored towards your particular dog.
Limit reasons why it might be anxious
It would also help to limit possible reasons why your dog might be anxious. Ways to do so would be to separate it from other dogs that it does not like or letting it stay in a quiet room when if it gets anxious at a certain time.