Don't pat my head!!!!

[Ciscobxr]

I had posted before that Cisco is going through a fear stage. He is scared of men that he does not know.
I don't know if this is something related to that stage or what, but he will not let me pat, or rub on his head anymore. He is my shadow and follows me around all day. His whole life I have given him a pat on his head while we are walking, or if I turn fast and pass him up. I just bend down and give him a pat or a rub on the top of his head. Well now he lowers his head or avoids my hand so I can't do it. The only time he does not mind is if we are sitting on the couch.
What's up? Any ideas?

 

[Vela]

My Cracker can't stand anyone to pet his head, including me. He has no fear of strangers he just doesn't like the top of his head touched except for very rare occasoins. He also ducks and I've had him since 8 weeks old and he's never been hit in his life (since ive had him and I REALLY don't think anything happened to him before that consdiering the breeder). I think it's actually common for a lot of dogs to just not like their head rubbed. He has no underlying medical problems with ears, etc. He is my shadow and will snuggle up in a little ball by my legs to sleep but still doesn't like his head touched. My older girl doesn't mind it at all. I think it's the personal perfernce of the dog. Not anything to worry about I think, unless you suspect someone has struck him causing this issue.

 

[Evie&Adam]

Yeah, Evie was like that too!! Just one day, she decided she didnt like her head to be pat You can rub rub rub... just dont pat! LOL

 

[myrocky]

A lot of dogs really don't like their head patted as it's a little threatening to them. If you think of it from their point of view, here is this person much bigger than them bending over them and moving their hand over their head. It's uncomfortable position for them and they tend to back up. I always tell people who ask to pet Rocky to pet his side or his chest because he doesn't like his head petted.

 

[gmacleod]

How old is Cisco?

Incidentally, touching a dog on the head is an extremely dominant gesture - one reason you shouldn't ever allow strangers to pet your dog on the head, but should do as Andie does and ask them to pet him on the side or chest before approaching the head. It is far less threatening that way Same with approaching a dog head on, or making prolonged eye contact.

If Cisco is a puppy and going through one of the fear imprint stages, then that could certainly be the explanaton. The fact that he's your dog doesn't really make the gesture less threatening or dominant. I'd suggest that you pet his sides before approaching the head too.

 

[MyMay]

Tessa will not let anyone including me rub or pat her head, unless she's laying down relaxing. She will duck a dodge every advance. She loves her butt rub though and offers it up quite often for a good rub
Now Tugg on the other hand is my smoochy face boy who loves his head, face and ears touched....
but stay away from the butt
Like mentioned before I really think it's a personal doggy preference.
So I have Tessa who is my butt girl and Tugg who is my head boy. It's a funny site when I'm trying to give them loves at the same time.

 

[Ciscobxr]

Thanks for all the replies everyone! Cisco is 8 months and is going through a fear stage. I guess I will just avoid patting his head. No biggie!
Thanks