One of the reasons dogs don't appreciate being blown in the face is that it is simply too close for comfort and they do not really understand what is going on. In order to blow on a dog's face, you have to put your face pretty close to them and there are some dogs that are not comfortable with this.
Dogs have sensitive noses, and they can be easily irritated by strong smells or sudden gusts of air. So when you blow on your dog's face, you are bombarding them with an onslaught of sensation that they are unprepared for. It's no wonder he doesn't like it!
“You'll see dogs sometimes standing in front of a fan because they like the feel of it,” Klein said, “but it's not necessarily going to cool them in the same way it would a person.” This is because dogs do not eliminate body heat the way humans do.
But blowing in a dog's ear, even gently, can hurt it, not because of the softness of the skin or the sensitivity of the nerves, but because of the sound of the blowing.
Dogs are good at reading us, and they usually know when we are being affectionate, such as when we kiss them. Because they love affection from us, most dogs do like being kissed. However, they don't like the act of being kissed but rather that we give them attention and show affection.
Why is my dog putting his paws on me? In addition to a way to say "I love you," your dog might paw at you if it needs something like food or a potty break. Anxious dogs might also paw at you for comfort or to request some space. Other dogs may paw at you to signify they need some activity time.
The Root of the Behavior
A dog's paws are responsible for delivering a wide range of sensory information to the dog about its environment. Some dogs might resist you touching their paws simply because it makes them feel awkward or vulnerable.
Some may even start to lick the air or nip in your direction. Dogs with very little patience can go so far as attempting to bite you. Make no mistake: Blowing air in dog's faces is not something you should do! Despite the adorable reactions, the sensation makes your dog irritated and unhappy!
Encouraging the Behavior
Although the way to a dog's heart is through their stomach most of the time, they also really enjoy any kind of pleasurable attention from their human. Most dogs thoroughly enjoy a good ear rub! And you do not have to just do this when your dog has done something you want him to.
They love you! Dogs sometimes use eye contact to let you know how they feel, and a lot of the time it's to say that they love you. A dog's loving gaze has been found to release a 'feel-good hormone' known as oxytocin in both you and your dog.
They just want to be close to you. Your dog might also recognize that maybe you're feeling down that day and want to offer you some comfort. They nuzzle against you to help you feel better because they're looking out for you.
Use wet, cool towels
This is especially useful for dogs suffering from heatstroke. To keep them cool, drench a towel in tepid water and drape it over your dog. Leave it on for short periods of time and make sure to remove it once the towel has dried as it may make your dog feel warmer.
Experts in dog behavior believe that, in general, dogs do not like being embraced. However, every dog has a unique personality. Some may dislike hugs more strongly than others, and some may actually adore them. The closest thing our furry family members do to a hug is something referred to as 'standing over'.
Dr. Proctor says people should be aware that not all dogs want to be hugged or kissed. “Most people do not pick up on a dog's subtle body language that shows fear, stress or aggression,” she wrote. “Putting your face into a dog's face and kissing it could lead to a bite on the face if you are not careful.”
While you might think that touching or grabbing onto your dog's tail is a fun way to play, your dog would sorely disagree with you. Grabbing a dog's tail—something that children are particularly tempted to do—can be very painful and terrifying for your dog.
If your dog growls, cowers or in any other way shows non-normal behavior, it is best to avoid boops too. This is particularly true with children that haven't quite learned the differences between a happy dog and a scared/anxious dog. Other times to avoid booping your dog's nose are fairly straight forward.
Physical punishment should never be a course of action following a puppy or dog bite. Tapping or popping them on the nose can be misunderstood and seen as being playful. This could also encourage more unwanted biting behavior. Hitting a dog, or being too rough with a dog, frequently encourages more biting as well.
“[Dogs] can't communicate with humans in the same way [that] they communicate with other dogs, so they try and get your attention by nudging you or bumping into you,” Rice told The Dodo. “When a dog bumps or nudges you with their nose, it is usually because they want your attention or they want something from you.”
Even though your dog is safe and sound in your home, dogs nonetheless retained the protective trait from their wolf ancestors. Now, circling before they lay down has simply become habit. In addition to self-protection, circling and nesting help dogs in the wild to make their sleeping space more comfortable.
Seeking attention and affection: Dogs are social animals and thrive on human interaction. Offering their paw may be their way of seeking attention, affection, or physical contact from their owners. It's their way of saying, "I want to be close to you" or "Pay attention to me."
They Want to Comfort You
Dogs are highly perceptive creatures, and many can sense when their owners are feeling sad, lonely, or disappointed. If you're feeling any of these emotions, they may try to cheer you up by pawing at your hands or feet to give you extra love.
Right from birth, dogs have the instinct to seek and feel comfort and security by being close to their packmates. The world can be a frightening, unpredictable place, and being part of a pack makes it all a lot easier. When your dog cuddles up with you, they are acknowledging that you are a member of its pack.
If your dog follows you everywhere then it's a sign that they trust and love you and that you make them feel safe. Following you very closely can be a sign that they're bored, they want something, they're feeling scared or are just being nosy.