After a NapBenson notes that dogs sometimes shake-off when they stand up after a nap, often accompanied by a full-body stretch. “This is likely similar to what you do when you get up off your office chair: a quick stretch to get the muscles moving again.”Related:
Froma fully body reboot to releasing stressful energy, here are specific situationsin which dogs shake-off and why they do it.When dogs “shake-off” after a bath, the reason is clear — it’s your dogs’personal drying system. It’s also incredibly efficient. In fact, a
Dogs may shake their head and body as soon as they wake up in order to loosen up. They’ve been in the same stationary position for an extended period of time so it’s only natural that they do some body shaking to stretch the muscles out. The stretching and shaking could be viewed as an instinctive behavior to get their bodies warmed up.
If your dog is shaking his head throughout the whole day and not just when he wakes up then there could be a likelihood of an ear infection. The itchiness and discomfort that’s ringing in his ear would cause the dog to his head often. This could be more apparent when the dog wakes up.
A dog’s morning routine is a lot like ours. They may start off with a large yawn, a long stretch, and a bit of shaking from their whole body. You might be wondering why some dogs like to shake their head when they wake up. Here are some of the most common reasons why.
Be aware of your dog’s random shake-offs
When your dog does the body shake after you’ve told him to sit, all you have to do is gently push him back into a sit or lure him with a treat. Or, you may need to take a step back and work around fewer distractions for now so your dog can be successful.
It’s totally normal for a dog to attempt three or four body shakes, especially if you are in an exciting environment or about to do something really fun or if you’re challenging your dog a little too much.
I wouldn’t consider the body shake deviant behavior. I’m not sure dogs are even aware they’re doing it.
However, you can teach your dog some self control.
Teach your dog that sit means sit. No matter what. You can’t get up just because you wiggled your body around. You get up when I say “OK” (or whatever your release word is).
I am hyper aware of the dog body shake. I see it every day with a number of dogs. If you look for it, you will see it too. Watch for it at the next dog obedience class you attend or the next time you visit the dog park or the next time you ask your dog to sit when something “exciting” is going on.
Why do Dogs SHAKE? – Understanding Tremors
Dogs shake themselves (the same shake they do when they get out of the water) to ease tension or to signal they are moving on from one thing to another.
Sometimes they “shake it off” if they are mildly stressed, excited or don’t want to do something.
You’ve probably noticed your dog shaking his body immediately after meeting a new dog, after ending a play session or after returning from a walk. He’s simply saying, “done with that, moving on now.”
If you watch two dogs at play, the wrestling and tumbling and chasing might escalate until one lets out a growl or a yelp. Then, both dogs will do the body shake. Play might end completely as they walk off to find something new. Or, they might start to play again but with less energy.
In many cases, the body shake is a signal that says, “Well that was fun, what’s next?”