Why Do Dogs Rub Themselves Against the Sofa?

Rubbing against the sofa, their own bed or the garden soil is one of those dog behaviours you'll surely have seen if you live with one, whatever their age. It's usually nothing more than a funny behaviour that puts a smile on your face.

Even so, sometimes excessive rubbing can point to a health problem worth checking, such as parasites or allergies. Below we explain why your dog rubs against the sofa and when you need to step in. Let's get started!

Why Dogs Like Rubbing Themselves

The head and back are the body parts a dog usually exposes to rubbing. This isn't a coincidence. First, rubbing or stroking the area behind the ears is pleasurable for the dog. It's linked to sexual behaviour, where attention is given to this spot during courtship.

Other areas that feel pleasant to touch are the sides of the head, following the jawline. Likewise, rubbing the back should produce a feeling similar to our strokes. It probably brings back their first days of life, when they were licked by their mother. On top of that, we also need to bear in mind their sense of smell.

It's the most developed of a dog's senses. When they rub against something, they seem to be trying to soak up its scent. It's thought this may let them mask their own scent, so they could approach potential prey undetected. Other theories, though, suggest they simply want to pick up a scent that draws them in.

Smells Your Dog Hates

Although a dog can rub against the sofa at any time, bath time is a sure trigger for rubbing. After a wash with water and soap, no matter how much we dry or brush them, the dog will, as soon as they can, shoot off to rub against the sofa, the bed or, ideally, the garden soil.

Yes, after spending a good while leaving them spotless and nicely scented, it's normal to feel exasperated seeing how little it lasts. The truth, though, is they're a dog and need to smell like themselves to feel comfortable. That's why they try to get rid of the unfamiliar smell of the shampoo and the scent you've just covered them in.

So this is a natural behaviour that, of course, shouldn't be punished. We can minimise it by using a shampoo with as neutral a scent as possible, avoiding perfume, or only letting them rub on their own clean bed.

My Dog Rolls in Rubbish

There are several reasons that explain why dogs love rubbing against the sofa or the grass so much. The involvement of smell and touch seems clear. That's why they won't only pick more or less clean spots to rub against. It might seem funny to see our dog rubbing against the sofa… but not off the sofa…

Filth is hugely appealing to them. Whether it's rubbish, a carcass or various animal droppings, a dog who gets the chance to come across remains like these won't turn down a good rub. The sequence of movements will be similar to what we see on the sofa at home. It starts when the dog detects the intense smell.

They'll literally dive head first onto the remains and slide along, thoroughly coating their neck and back. They'll roll onto their back, paws up, and move from side to side. They'll finish by getting up and shaking themselves off. So bear in mind that if your dog rubs against the sofa, they may well do it against any filth they find when they get the chance — for example, on a walk through the countryside.

When Rubbing Is a Warning Sign

Rubbing against different materials and places is a normal, common dog behaviour. Even so, if they rub excessively or keep focusing on one specific part of their body, we could be looking at a health problem that a vet should assess. In this case there are several possibilities. External parasites, for instance.

Fleas or mites trigger itching of varying intensity, which makes the dog rub in an attempt to ease it. Another possibility is that they're having an allergic reaction, where the main sign will also be itching. In this case the rubbing might be aimed at the face. There could also be sneezing and nasal discharge.

Sometimes it's the ear area that gets targeted. The dog rolls around, scratches and shakes their ears. This could be otitis, usually accompanied by discharge and a bad smell. If some illness lies behind your dog's rubbing, you should see the vet. As a preventive measure, never forget to deworm them regularly.

Bibliography Carlson and Giffin. 2002. Manual práctico de veterinaria canina. Madrid. Editorial el Drac. Morris, Desmond. 1988. Observe a su perro. Barcelona. Plaza & Janés.