Today is 'Why Does My Dog Do That? Wednesday' and we are answering the question of why do dogs pump their leg when you rub their tummy.
First, one needs to understand reflex reaction. We all have it. If something tickles us, we reach up and scratch at it (think of the videos of someone putting whip cream in a sleeping person's hand and then tickling their nose. Admit it. You have laughed hysterically at that one).
If nerve endings detect something tickling the skin, the dog's leg will automatically come up to scratch the pest off, even if the pest is their loving, kind human doing the fiendish tickling.
Dogs kick their legs because it feels good when you scratch them in certain parts. It's like you are massaging the area that you scratch them on. These areas are most often the stomach, on the rump near the base of the tail, and with some dogs, their ears.
Think of it as going to get a massage. You may moan with delight as all those spots you can't reach get worked on. Your dog has the same feeling, they just automatically start pumping their leg. They usually seem rather oblivious to the fact that they are doing this, which is why we humans think it's so funny.
This leg-pumping 'scratch reflex' is so predictable that many veterinarians will use it to help with their neurological exam when a spinal damage injury is suspected.
So, really your dog is enjoying the sensation, and you get the added bonus of a little wicked enjoyment from watching them do it.
Keeps some people entertained for hours.
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