It's SO into this hug. You’ve probably heard the hype about dogs not liking hugs, thanks to recent articles about research that claims that dogs hate being hugged by humans. “Most dogs love being touched,” says Sylvia Koczerzuk, a certified dog trainer and dog behavior consultant, “but as far as traditional hugs the way humans hug each other? To make sure your embrace isn’t like the forced, awkward kind at the end of a bad Tinder date, read your dog… To a dog. “, You are communicating to them in a really positive way and they love it,”. While there are a small number of dogs who may seek out hugs from their owners, she says that even dogs who are tolerant when you approach them for a hug may not actually be enjoying the experience. Certified dog behavior consultant Michelle Mullins says dogs’ general dislike of hugs transcends specific breeds or even individual temperament. When she's not in the clinic or creating content, Dr. Racine enjoys playing trampoline dodgeball (yes, really! Access our library of professional veterinarian resources. https://www.akc.org/wp-admin/admin-ajax.php. Mullins’s next tip is to let your dog be the one to initiate things. Dogs aren’t crazy about that.”, Koczerzuk notes that human-style hugs are “just not part of the canine language,” so by nature dogs are unsure or even afraid of them. So, do dogs like it when you kiss them? While giving and receiving hugs from your furry companion is nothing out of the ordinary, you have to keep one thing in mind, which is that many dogs prefer not to be squeezed, while others actively seek out hugs. Dogs … What’s more, the idea of pushing their bodies against other dogs actually triggers that same fight-or-flight reflex, as it tells them that danger is … They might even seek out the hugs themselves if they like them. While individual dogs vary in temperament (and tolerance), in general, the answer is: no, dogs do not enjoy being hugged. Since we don’t speak dog, some of the things we take for granted can easily get lost in translation— especially signs of affection, like hugging and kissing. It’s not that dogs don’t like being touched. Kissing is a human trait. Koczerzuk notes that human-style hugs are “just not part of the canine language,” so by nature dogs are unsure or even afraid of them. How Do I Know If My Dog Likes Hugs or Not? Turning their heads away or leaning their entire bodies away from us, Letting out a loud, exaggerated yawn that has nothing to do with sleepiness. Unlike humans, who thrive when they can press their bodies against another’s, dogs don’t have arms to hug anyone. The most important thing is to make sure that you’re showing physical affection in a way that makes your individual dog feel happy and loved. Mullins says the first thing a pet parent should do is learn to read their dog’s body language. Both Koczerzuk and Mullins also recommend training with positive reinforcement as one of the most affectionate things you can do for your dog. If your pup comes over to you and leans in, you can try leaning back in to him. Essential info about dog health, training, sports and more. Founded in 1884, the AKC is the recognized and trusted expert in breed, health, and training information for dogs. With all of that being said, there are some dogs that actually don’t mind being hugged, says Mullins—as long as you go about it the right way. And the worst thing you can do, Koczerzuk says, is bend over to hug your dog while you are standing—then it can really feel like an aggressive act. Most dogs tolerate kisses on the head relatively well.. But as hard as it might be to hear, that isn’t entirely true. Some absolutely adore cuddles, but most dogs prefer a belly rub or a back scratch to a squeeze. Do dogs really like hugs? After examining 250 online photos that popped up when he searched the words “hug dog,” Coren concluded that in roughly 82 percent of the photos, the dog being hugged displayed “at least one sign of discomfort, stress, or anxiety.”, says Sylvia Koczerzuk, a certified dog trainer and dog behavior consultant, “but as far as traditional hugs the way humans hug each other? It’s not that dogs don’t like being touched. Hugs make most dogs uncomfortable. Dogs don’t have the same physical anatomy as us, with arms with the same wide range of movement and so a hug in the human sense isn’t an action a dog can perform in the same way we can. Dogs aren’t crazy about that.”. To a dog, an arms-around-the-neck moment may feel more like a confrontation or rough play than affection. Instead of hugging your dog, try these physical contact behaviors instead. Dr. Elizabeth Racine is a small animal veterinarian with a passion for writing. They do not rush up and hug one another, although if a dog grabs another dog it is done so as a sexual or aggressive advance. They often have a much harder time reading animals’ body language and understanding limits. Irith Bloom, CPDT-KSA, CDBC, KPA CTP, VSPDT, CBATI, VSDTA faculty and Director of Training at The Sophisticated Dog in West Los Angeles, CA, helps explain why. If your dog is displaying any of these signs, it’s best not to initiate a hug. In fact many dog bites occur from when a child tries to hug a dog from behind. Many dogs do not like being kissed or hugged, but children— and many adults— are not usually able to interpret warning signs in time to avert disaster.. “That is how we like to show affection,” she says. Our content and products are for informational purposes only. Her story on a New Jersey farm that raises water buffalo won a "Best Single Article" Eddie Award for excellence in magazine writing. Do Dogs Like Hugs? If your dog quickly leans back out, don’t proceed. Especially not a big, tight bear hug. That's not to say they don't love affection from their people. Koczerzuk explains that pet parents are often surprised—and a little bit upset to hear this. Stay alert for your dog’s subtle body language cues, outlined above. ), hiking, kayaking, and binge-watching Netflix. We like to be chest to chest (or, to use the more technical term, in “ventral-ventral contact”) with those we love. In practice, however, dogs are much like humans – some love being hugged, some don’t. Do Dogs Like Hugs? All rights reserved. Get the dog used to being touched.. Touch a part of their body that’s not controversial, such as stroking along their... 2. Humans are natural huggers. (And again, if you notice any of the distress signs outlined above, back off immediately. Sure, some dogs in the photos Dr. Stanley Coren observed might have had anxiety from the hug. Koczerzuk suggests that pet parents show their love through shoulder and chest touches rather than hugs or head pets—“another type of touch that dogs are not typically comfortable with,” she says. “Even if a dog has liked or not liked hugs before, their mood can affect how they’re feeling in a given moment,” Mullins says. Golden Retrievers: They rightly fit the category of super friendly dogs and capable of holding one … Dogs don’t like to be hugged. Yes, Some Dogs Actually Do Love Hugs. It's more common then you might think, nearly all dogs have this kind of reaction to a hug and for a lot of different reasons. Dog body language that could signal discomfort or anxiety include: If your dog is displaying any of these signs, it’s best not to initiate a hug. But I also don’t believe a whopping 81% of dogs hate hugs! Parents should teach children about the proper ways to approach and pet a dog, especially one they've never met before, to avoid any accidental injury. Let our authors & experts know what you think. 6 Tips for Hugging Your Dog the Right Way 1. “That way you know they’re comfortable with the interaction.”. Mood matters, too. © 2021 Great Pet Media. “That is how we like to show affection,” she says. But hugging is neither an instinctive nor a taught behavior, making it unnatural and uncomfortable to them. The closest thing our furry family members do to … Experts in dog behavior believe that, in general, dogs do not like being embraced. ), “I always say, let the dog make the choice,” Mullins notes. Great Pet Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, A few years ago, psychologist Stanley Coren published his informal, . Hence, if a person hugs a dog, there is a slim chance that the pet will feel like it is being dominated by the human. Koczerzuk says gentle massage is also “one of the greatest ways to introduce touch” with your pup. No. For the majority of dogs, the answer is no. 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