Strange Canine Behavior

[Brendan]

Lucy is a spaniel. Petting and rough-housing with Lucy is fun, because she is fluffy.

We rough-house on a regular basis, and afterwards, she always drags the side of her face along the carpet. She also does it on the carpeting in my mom's room when she gets home from work. She is energetic and her tail is always wagging when she does this, so I assume it's a good thing. Still, does anyone know why dogs do it? Is she scent-marking? Is she scratching an itch? It's funny when she does it, I'd like to know why.

[alicia91]

Good question. I have no idea but both my Poodle and Maltese do this. Mine do it out on the grass too.

[sciski]

Heh, my parents' shih tzu tries his darnedest to do this, even though his face is pretty much flat as a pancake!

I always assumed it was an attempt to get longish fur out of the corners of their mouths, or otherwise rearrange their face fur or stretch out their lips. It looks mighty satisfying!

[rhinosaur]

My girlfriend's parents' dog does this. I've been told it's because he is scratching an itch.

[01011010]

My girlfriend's parents' dog does this. I've been told it's because he is scratching an itch.

I think it's probably the most simple explanation. See above.