The fact that the dog is a gregarious and social being, that requires a significant dose of interaction with other beings and that adapts to the rules of coexistence that living in a pack means makes it a great candidate to become the inseparable companion which is like a dog.
In the specific case of the Australian Cobberdog breed, its selection has been made seeking that these dogs have a special need to be with people and to please them, which makes them continually seek signs of affection. This is why showing affection and feeling part of the family is so important to this animal. Exclusion, rejection or simply ignoring it is one of the greatest punishments that the dog can receive, just like humans. This makes us very similar, humans and dogs, and shows us how the relationship we need to develop with our dog is so that it enjoys good mental health.
Dogs, like us, use touch to express their affection and normally enjoy physical contact, but not in the same way as humans. For us, a big hug is normally comforting, for someone brings their face close to ours or that they caress our face. Dogs, on the other hand, when hugged may feel that they are being hunted by another aggressive dog or predator, and feel alarmed instead of loved. It may even give them the impression that they are being ridden, and therefore abusively dominated. On the other hand, although the dogs lick each other around the mouth as a sign of submission, bringing our face too close to theirs could provoke a negative response, which is why we must know how to make physical contact with our dog so that That show of affection is rewarding for both of you.
Although Australian Cobberdogs are very affectionate and love to receive intense petting, each dog is unique so it is interesting to pay attention to a dog's signs of stress when we pet him to see if he likes it. If they show signs of stress, such as licking or shaking after the show of affection, it means that the caresses we give them make them feel uncomfortable.
The best thing to do when petting a dog is to bend down and get down to its level, not lean over it as this could intimidate the dog. The areas they most like to be stroked are the ears (especially below), the neck and chest area, the rump area just before the tail and the belly. What they like least is that they touch him above the head (they see it intimidating), the tail and the plantar area. It is also important that when petting you are aware of the energy that you are transmitting to your dog, because if you pet him intensely and agitated, it is likely that you suggest an active and excited state of mind. However, if you pet him slowly and calmly, the result is more likely to be a calm and relaxed dog.
Below is an image that shows the areas where the dog enjoys the most when petted and those that he least likes to be touched: