One of the more endearing qualities of our humans is their fondness of petting. In fact, unless you are one of those dogs who lives outside or spends your time hiding under the table, there is almost nothing you can do to keep from being petted.

Our ancestors have trained them well: humans are absolute petting machines. They’ll be talking with other humans and their hand will drop down to pet you; they will absent-mindedly stroke your head when you walk by them; they’ll pat your butt, rub that bump behind your ears, smooth your coat and scratch your back. They’ll take every opportunity to pet you. All you have to do is show up.

Still, you need to focus their attention on the parts you want petted. I, for example, love to have that clump of fur on each side of my tail scratched. If they’re petting me on my side, I’ll just turn and back my butt right up to them. My buddy Tucker loves to have the notch behind his ears rubbed. He’ll walk up to his human and knock the paper out of his hand and sure enough, he’ll get a nice pet.

Be creative. If you are a lap dog, use that lap. If you are a big dog, sit in front of your favorite human with your chest out, your ears pinned back and an expectant look in your eyes. Humans can’t resist that. And if they pet in the wrong place, give them a nudge with your nose, roll over—do whatever you need to focus their petting.

Chow!

Baxter

Thought for the month: There is no such thing as a bad pet, as long as you’re not being held off the ground by your ears.