Do dogs like hugs? But most of all, she says, it’s about a dog’s individual personality and preferences. Some will feel threatened while others will loathe the feeling. 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. Our content and products are for informational purposes only. For some dogs, it provides a feeling of security, and strengthens the bond they have with you. How To Hug Your Dog. Once you’ve got your dog’s body language down pat, and he seems relaxed, you can move on to the next step. The vast majority of dogs do not like to be hugged, so as a general rule of thumb, just don’t do it. Dogs aren’t crazy about that.” Dogs rely on body language as a method of communication with humans and each other. If your pup comes over to you and leans in, you can try leaning back in to him. “You build trust that way as well.”. Some folks interpret the “act” as the answer to their question of how dogs hug. “We’re doing something that for a dog can be perceived as very confrontational,” Mullins adds. Get the dog used to being touched.. Touch a part of their body that’s not controversial, such as stroking along their... 2. Her business, The Veterinary Writer, is devoted to providing pet owners with easy access to evidence-based information about pet health. “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? Maybe you’ve been giving your pup hugs for years--and maybe all this time they’ve just been tolerating it! Many dogs, when hugged, will show signs of distress such as turning their head away, showing whale eye, lowering their ears, and licking their lips. In fact, I know not all dogs do. 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. She shares her home with her retired teaching beagle, Dasher, and a trouble-making orange cat named Julius. How Do I Know If My Dog Likes Hugs or Not? Both Koczerzuk and Mullins also recommend training with positive reinforcement as one of the most affectionate things you can do for your dog. Certified dog behavior consultant Michelle Mullins says dogs’ general dislike of hugs transcends specific breeds or even individual temperament. All Rights Reserved 2021. , an arms-around-the-neck moment may feel more like a confrontation or rough play than affection. They might even seek out the hugs themselves if they like them. All rights reserved. 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.”. “You are communicating to them in a really positive way and they love it,” Koczerzuk adds. 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. 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. To make sure your embrace isn’t like the forced, awkward kind at the end of a bad Tinder date, read your dog… Instead of hugging your dog, try these physical contact behaviors instead. But if your dog seems content, you can try wrapping your arms very loosely around his body—loosely enough that he can get up and leave anytime he wants. Mood matters, too. Do dogs really like hugs? For the majority of dogs, the answer is no. 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. Unlike humans, who thrive when they can press their bodies against another’s, dogs don’t have arms to hug anyone. Her professional interests include veterinary behavior, nutrition, and internal medicine. Past abuse or neglect may also contribute to a dog’s distaste for hugs, and early socialization can play a role too, according to Mullins. If your dog is displaying any of these signs, it’s best not to initiate a hug. “That is how we like to show affection,” she says. Last but not least, they keep coming back for more. Most dogs tolerate kisses on the head relatively well.. Now, gradually extend the areas you touch.. Slide your hand down a leg slightly, then … Do Dogs Like Hugs? Download for tips on how to be the best dog owner you can be. Molly is an award-winning independent journalist who often writes about animals and the humans who care for them. AKC actively advocates for responsible dog ownership and is dedicated to advancing dog sports. 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? From when a child tries to hug someone you love being hugged … dogs do a. Hugs just as much as we humans love physical contact behaviors instead, let the dog says the hate! ” Yes, really know they ’ re doing something that for a dog, an moment... 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