Does your dog do a big stretch as soon as you walk in the door? It turns out it’s not necessarily because they’ve just woken up from a nap, or are a bit bored, it’s actually a really good sign which owners should “take as a compliment”.
Sometimes it can be hard to know what our pets are trying to communicate with us. Because they can’t speak to us, dogs use their whole bodies to show us what they’re feeling.
So it’s useful to learn how your dog communicates, so you know if they’re feeling confident, relaxed, or frightened and worried. Once you learn what these cues mean, you can more easily understand what they are trying to tell you.
According to vet Dr Alex Crow, Chief Veterinary Officer at The Net Vet, a dog who greets you with “front legs out, hips up, tail wagging,” is trying to tell you something.
“It’s not just coincidence. It’s called a greeting stretch,” he explained on TikTok. “It’s more than just shaking off a nap. It’s a sign that your dog feels safe, relaxed and happy that you’re home,” he added.
According to Dr Alex, they might also stretch to “loosen up stiff muscles”, but if they do it as soon as you come home, that’s “intentional”. He added: “It’s their version of a calm, friendly hello and if you’ve ever reacted to it with praise, you’ve probably reinforced it without realising.”
However, it’s worth remembering that “not all stretches are about affection”. If their belly is low to the ground it “could be a sign of discomfort or pain”, in which case you should “keep an eye” on it, and reach out to your vet if you’re worried. Dr Alex added: “Most of the time though it’s just your dog’s way of saying hello.”
Taking to the comment section, one dog owner wrote: “I always thought it was because they knew I was about to take them for a walk.” Another added: “Yes! Every morning when I go downstairs, he is laying in his bed waiting for me and when I open the door he jumps up and does the big stretch on my foot! Gets lots of scratches then picked up for cuddles and kisses. Boston Terrier.”
And a third commented: “The ‘big stretch’ must be an international thing. We all say that in our native language, right? At least I do.” And others commented that cats also do the same.
According to Hill’s Pet, like humans, pets also feel the need to stretch muscles at certain times. They might need a big stretch after being asleep for a while, or it might be a “playful move”.
Pets also might stretch if they are under-stimulated, especially if it’s accompanied by attention-seeking behaviour. If they do this, try taking them for a walk or play with them in the house or garden.
However, stretching could also be a sign of a pulled muscle or joint pain. They might stretch the affected area to try to loosen up and alleviate the pain. If you notice a certain area or bodypart being stretched more than usual, and they are a bit slow as they get moving, it might be sign of arthritis or joint pain, so it’s worth going to the vet.
It could also be linked to abdominal pain, and if this is the case, they will stretch with their rump up, front end down and flat on the floor. They’ll often stay in this position much longer than usual, and do it when no other dogs are around. You might also noticed they cry in pain or don’t want to be stroked. If they stretch or arch their back into a tucked-up posture it could also be a sign of abdominal pain, which is incredibly important to get checked out.
