When dog owners give their pet physical attention, it's either by way of a pat or a scratch.
While you might think you are doing Rover a big favor by patting their head, or scratching their chin, dog trainer Rick Bell is speaking for your pet.
"Give your dog a massage", says Bell.
Bell explains that dogs have two or three spots where they love to be massaged.
"Assuming your pooch is injury free, the areas most enjoyable for him to have massaged are his head: there's nothing like a good noggin rub, the base of his spine (just above his tail), as well as his chest and belly.
" There is also a technique pet owners should utilize when touching their pets.
Bell says, "Massaging your dog with your fingertips will be more soothing to him than rubbing, petting or scratching.
" Bell adds, "Think about it, when you go in for a message, the last thing you want is to be patted repeatedly on one spot or be scratched over and over again.
Massage a dog like you like to get massaged, with swirling motions and squeezes of the legs from the torso to the paws.
" A pet owner does not have to be a licensed massage therapist in order to properly massage a canine.
"There are a number of good books on the subject," says Bell, "and an internet search of "dog massage" will provide you with video links that will show you where and how to massage your dog.
"