Why Do Dogs Stretch When They See You? It’s Not Just a Cute Quirk!

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Everyone knows our charming canine companions have some bone-afide quirky habits, however decoding their conduct can typically really feel like chasing our personal tails. Ever observed your canine doing a dramatic doggy stretch—entrance legs out, butt within the air—proper if you stroll by means of the door or seize the leash? Why do canines stretch after they see you? Is it an indication of affection, or are they only making an attempt to limber up for a recreation of fetch?

Why Do Canine Stretch When They See You?

Certain, typically canines stretch for the easy causes that we do — to heat up their muscle groups for train or relieve tight joints. Nevertheless, it seems that canines additionally sprawl themselves out towards you for extra endearing causes.

Every canine’s stretch might be distinctive in presentation and which means. Some could solely unfold out their entrance legs, whereas others elongate their complete our bodies in a gradual and dramatic expression.

The Greeting Stretch

In lots of circumstances, canines actually prolong a heat greeting to you after they stretch. This stretch can sign pleasure, love, the fun of anticipated stomach rubs, or simply pure reduction that their favourite human is lastly house. It’s a very regular and endearing transfer generally known as the “greeting stretch.”

Not all canines exhibit the greeting stretch. For instance, my furball Tiny has a distinct method of greeting me after I get again house — the full-on physique wiggle. There’s no room for doubt that he’s excited to see me.

My canine, Falkor, is a bit man with an enormous coronary heart. He’s 25 kilos of scruffy sweetness. He greets the world with a joyful play bow, stretching into an ideal curve: head low, tail excessive, his complete physique saying, “I’m so pleased to see you!” It’s his signature whats up, supplied to everybody he meets, whether or not you’re a neighbor or a stranger with form eyes.

However for the folks he really loves, Falkor does one thing extra. He stretches up on his hind legs, entrance paws reaching as excessive as they’ll go, barely brushing my thigh however full of effort and coronary heart. It’s not only a stretch. It’s a quiet hug, a method of claiming, “You matter most.” And when he does it, I can’t assist however really feel fortunate to be one in every of his chosen few.

– Danielle DeGroot, Falkor’s Human & Author at Canine Journal

The Play Bow

Tiny’s signature stretch is what’s coined the “play bow.” When he’s prepared for some outside time, he provides me his cue, ensuring I’m watching. He slowly stretches his skinny entrance legs from a standing place right into a cute sphinx-like stance. “Mother, it’s time to take me exterior.” If I don’t after the primary gesture, one other one is certain to observe.

The second I shut my laptop computer, Rio—my very expressive Golden Retriever—springs to life with a giant bow stretch like he’s had an extended day on the workplace, despite the fact that he’s simply been snoozing. It makes me smile each time. That stretch has change into our little ritual, his method of claiming, “Work’s accomplished. Let’s play.”

– Tara Maurer, Rio’s Human & Author at Canine Journal

Then you’ve one other kind of play bow, which happens when a canine in a short time extends their entrance legs, holds their chest near the bottom, sticks their rear find yourself, and wags their tail (normally accompanied by an alert, excited face). It’s truly extra of a bounce than a stretch. Whereas canines give their people a play bow, it’s additionally a particular physique language posture they use to speak with fellow canines to provoke play.

Is Canine Stretching For Communication Innate Or Discovered Habits?

Relying on the kind of stretch or bow and the state of affairs, it may be both or a bit of each. For dog-to-dog communication, animal behaviorists consider play bowing is an instinctual conduct. In any case, different animals like foxes, lions, wolves, and coyotes additionally show play bows.

With regards to human interplay, some canines could be taught to stretch on cue if the conduct is constantly rewarded. In case you discover the stretching endearing and reward your canine every time they do it, they’re extra more likely to repeat the motion sooner or later.

In some circumstances, pet house owners could unintentionally train their canines a verbal or bodily cue to stretch. For instance, in case your routine includes choosing up a collar or leash, bending over your pup, and talking to your canine as they stretch whereas they rise up, your furry good friend could begin to affiliate that particular gesture with stretching—ultimately responding to it as a cue.

For the longest time, I assumed my canine was enjoying a trick on me. Each time I’d bend all the way down to put her collar on, she’d out of the blue drop into this dramatic, slow-motion stretch, entrance legs out, butt within the air, large sigh like she was starring in her personal yoga video. And, in fact, she’d wait till I used to be already crouched down, making me awkwardly hover there whereas she did her factor. I used to seek out it so annoying, like, why not stretch earlier than I get there?

Nevertheless, after conducting some analysis, I found that when canines stretch in entrance of you, it’s truly an indication of affection and luxury. They’re pleased to see you, relaxed in your presence. Now, each time she stretches earlier than heading out, I see it for what it truly is: a quiet little gesture of affection, her method of claiming she’s pleased I’m there.

– Kimberly Alt, Rescue Canine Mother, Author & Pet Insurance coverage Skilled at Canine Journal

Extra Canine Stretching Meanings

Another behavioral or bodily causes canines stretch embody:

To point to a stranger that they imply no hurt and are open to interplay

To launch stress and nervousness

To loosen tight muscle groups after waking up from an extended snooze

To alleviate muscle ache after strenuous train

When Stretching Can Be A Warning Signal

A canine in ache would possibly stretch out their entrance legs and chest onto the bottom with the rear finish raised to alleviate discomfort. This stretch, typically known as the “prayer place,” could point out belly ache from a medical situation, akin to canine bloat, pancreatitis, or an intestinal blockage, amongst different causes. In case you discover your canine within the prayer place steadily, it’s essential to seek the advice of along with your veterinarian as quickly as potential.

The Canine “I Love You” Stretch Goes Viral

Social media is stuffed with clips of completely lovable canines doing the “I really like you” stretch. When yours does, do you at all times say “BIG STRETCH?” I at all times say this and discover it hilarious that this appears to be the unofficial however common method to reply to your pup’s lengthy, loving stretch. Some canines hold it a easy front-leg bow, however others get their complete our bodies within the groove. Listed below are a few of my favorites.

@moosethecockapoo

Moose was reportedly the unique viral sensation, racking up over 4 million views final yr and even getting a characteristic story in Newsweek.