I usually pat Timber very softly and talk calmly. Otherwise she'll go nuts. I even make her keep her head completely still before I pet her. If she gets the chance to lick my arm while I'm petting her it makes her excited, so I tell her to hold still and "wait." It works great.

If I want to play with her, then I'll rough her up lol.

I pet Leather alot harder. I scratch her while I'm petting her, and make sure she really "feels" my hand going down her back. She just loves it.

I love to pat their sides hard because it sounds like their chests are hollow lol. They like it too.