Is It Possible To Pet a Dog Too Much?

Yes, it is possible to pet a dog too much. While dogs enjoy physical affection, there are boundaries that need to be respected, and excessive petting can be stressful for a dog. Some ways to tell if a dog may be overwhelmed by petting include avoiding eye contact, pulling away, yawning, licking their lips, growling or snapping. Giving the dog breaks with no pressure from being touched allows them to feel in control of their space. As long as the boundaries are kept in mind, however, dogs love to be petted, scratched, and rubbed—they'll probably seek a person's approval if they want some petting time.