Discovered: This Precious Pup’s Tickle Spot

We all know dogs have that one spot that, that when scratched just right, sends them to another planet. This video by @wild_animalsgram shows how strong a playful tickle can be, even for puppies. This reaction is widely believed to be good, with many dogs enjoying the feeling it brings. However, the reason for it has nothing to do with pleasant sensations and more to do with nerve endings — and yes, it’s something all dogs are born with!

The Scratch Reflex

There’s a logical reason for dogs shaking their legs in response to being scratched. Often called the “sweet spot,” many dogs have this on or near their bellies. You can’t see the nerves underneath the surface in this sensitive area, but dogs can feel them. When scratched, these sensitive nerve endings send signals to a dog’s brain that cause their legs to kick involuntarily. As random as this response might seem, it serves a big role in your pup’s life.

This reflex is instinctual for dogs. It’s a way to keep fleas and ticks off their legs and stomach, a behavior triggered by sensitive nerve areas being touched. When you rub your dog’s stomach or, in the case of this video, behind its ears, it sets off a reaction. This alerts a dog’s muscles to potential pests, and their legs kick out in response to ward them off. This response can happen with any sensitive area, depending on how sensitive your dog is to physical touch.

Do Dogs Enjoy the Sensation?

It’s tough to determine if this is something that all dogs enjoy. Some seem to appreciate the reflex, while others might show annoyance when scratched in highly sensitive places. If your dog doesn’t enjoy it, they’ll likely tense up and show other signs of discomfort. Dogs are fairly expressive, so if your dog doesn’t like this feeling, he or she will quickly let you know. It might feel akin to a massage or a good back scratch for some. To others, it might be too sensitive and make them uncomfortable with their legs kicking uncontrollably.

A good indication that your pup enjoys this feeling, though, would be if they roll over on their backs. From there, you can determine if your pup enjoys more aggressive belly rubs or low-key pats. The puppy in this video has a scratch reflex from stimulating his ears, which is another sensitive area for dogs. As this pup grows up, it might continue to enjoy ear scratches, or this spot might become less sensitive as time passes. Either way, the scratch reflex is a good sign that a dog’s nerve endings fully function. Veterinarians commonly use it to determine a dog’s health, and while they might not enjoy it, it’s a good sign!