# Why do dogs shake?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-dogs-shake/153104>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [February 6, 2003, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-dogs-shake/153104 "2003-02-06T01:53:19Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Lillith\_Fair](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/bb73d2/32.png) [@Lillith\_Fair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lillith_Fair)\
**Post date:** [February 6, 2003, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-dogs-shake/153104/1 "2003-02-06T01:53:19Z")

</div>

Why do dogs shake? This usually happens after a good stretch.

Of course they shake when they are wet–that make sense.

But do they need to shake every so often?

😕

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![X\_Slayer\_ALE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/bbe5ce/32.png) [@X\_Slayer\_ALE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/X_Slayer_ALE)\
**Post date:** [February 6, 2003, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-dogs-shake/153104/2 "2003-02-06T01:59:40Z")

</div>

so that they can be **Cute** and **FLUFFY!!!**

😃

…its to make sure their fur isnt stuck together. Without opposable thumbs they cant use a comb or a brush so shaking does it for them. Its such a powerful instinct that even short-haired dogs do it.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![GuyMontag](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ad7895/32.png) [@GuyMontag](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuyMontag)\
**Post date:** [February 6, 2003, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-dogs-shake/153104/3 "2003-02-06T02:26:06Z")

</div>

My guess is it just feels good. Their skin is so loose that when they shake it moves back and forth against their body wall, essentially giving themselves a self-massage. Just a guess.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![InLikeFlynn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/f19dbf/32.png) [@InLikeFlynn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/InLikeFlynn)\
**Post date:** [February 6, 2003, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-dogs-shake/153104/4 "2003-02-06T02:32:23Z")

</div>

Because they can!  
I never heard anyone ask why they lick their packages!  
It’s terribly obvious!

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Lillith\_Fair](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/bb73d2/32.png) [@Lillith\_Fair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lillith_Fair)\
**Post date:** [February 6, 2003, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-dogs-shake/153104/5 "2003-02-06T02:35:41Z")

</div>

That is not obvious!!!