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Sources.
Not endorsements.
These sources inform specific statements. They have not reviewed this site, approved our tool or endorsed PawLine.
VCA: Canine Communication - Interpreting Dog Language
Veterinary client education on whole-body context, changing signals and belly exposure as possible appeasement rather than an automatic request for petting. We do not assign a motivation or a fixed personality from a posture.
Read the source ↗RSPCA: Understanding a dog's body language
Animal-welfare examples of body posture, ears, mouth, eyes and movement. Speak to a vet first for behavior concerns. These examples do not validate an online mood score or permission to approach.
Read the source ↗PetMD: Why Do Dogs Like Belly Rubs?
Veterinary-reviewed editorial explaining preference, movement away, scratch reflex limits and veterinary consultation for touch sensitivity. The review belongs to that article, not this site. We do not repeat hormone statistics, prescribe technique or guarantee enjoyment.
Read the source ↗What we added
The touch context note and fictional rug example are original editorial methods. They do not diagnose emotion, assess pain or decide whether to touch a dog. We intentionally do not turn source descriptions into a self-guided handling test.
Review status
Sources checked November 12, 2026. No independent veterinarian has reviewed this website. Professional credentials and review credits on an original source belong to its authors alone.