Hi,

Im just wondering if anyone can help, its not a major problem but i et the impression that my vizsla doesnt like to be given affection by me, everytime i stroke him or he seems to shake himself off like he's just got out of water ? Is this normal ? What does it mean ?

Thanks Just curious as its been bothering me for some time.

Not sure, my friend has a Viz and it loves nothing better than attention and sitting on your knee being stroked.
It isn't only when you rub his ears is it? I know one of my dogs with sensitive ears shakes himself if you rub his ears.

Are you stroking very gently and tickling him by mistake? Does he shake when you stroke him firmly?

> Are you stroking very gently and tickling him by mistake? Does he shake when you stroke him firmly?

I thought this too. I have a dog with allergies and he was very ticklish when stroked and would shake or scratch with a back foot. He's much less ticklish since a change of diet but still has flare ups occassionally.

Hi

Sensitive skin would be my guess too.  I have an itchy boy (Wirehaired Vizsla) with ticklish areas - if we touch those he quivers then starts scratching.  He'll also shake his ears after I've peered in them, whether I've done anything or not!

Mind you, none of that stops him coming for affection.  We are just careful not to tickle him if he's feeling a bit sensitive, as I don't want to start an itch-scratch-itch cycle.

How old is your dog?  Has he shown any signs of sore or irritated skin?  Are there areas where you can fuss him that don't get that reaction?  It might be useful to get more of an idea where or when it occurs to see if it might be part of a pattern.  Although that said, mine is a shaker - he'll often shake his head after drinking, and will do a shimmy shake after he's been asleep for a while.  It's his "Woo hoo hello world, I'm up!" signal :)