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. Instead of hugging your dog, try these physical contact behaviors instead. Last but not least, they keep coming back for more. 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. Some will feel threatened while others will loathe the feeling. I hug my dogs from time to time, mostly to gauge their response and to train them to tolerate the inexplicable things that humans like to do. They often have a much harder time reading animals’ body language and understanding limits. 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.. Copious praise / play when they do well, of course. Some may dislike hugs more strongly than others, and some may actually adore them. “You are communicating to them in a really positive way and they love it,” Koczerzuk adds. While some dogs make it abundantly clear that hugs are … Dogs aren’t crazy about that.” 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. Here’s why. All Rights Reserved 2021. Do dogs like hugs? Some folks interpret the “act” as the answer to their question of how dogs hug. Maybe you’ve been giving your pup hugs for years--and maybe all this time they’ve just been tolerating it! Mullins says the first thing a pet parent should do is learn to read their dog’s body language. Dogs do not cuddle, they will usually interpret a hug as restraint or pressure. “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. 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 … Golden Retrievers: They rightly fit the category of super friendly dogs and capable of holding one … 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. Do dogs really like hugs? Like Follow. Koczerzuk explains that pet parents are often surprised—and a little bit upset to hear this. If a dog keeps initiating contact or activities, … Often you'll notice a dog become stiff or still when being hugged, signs that he is not having a great time. So, do dogs like it when you kiss them? Dogs rely on body language as a method of communication with humans and each other. While usually, dogs will let their human friend finish the hug, patiently waiting for an end to this embrace. 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. I completely disagree with these bullshit studies that people are spreading that says the dogs hate hugs. While some dogs, especially those trained as therapy dogs, can tolerate it, in general, dogs do not enjoy this interaction. Founded in 1884, the AKC is the recognized and trusted expert in breed, health, and training information for dogs. This e-book is a great resource for anyone who's considering dog ownership or already owns a dog. That's not to say they don't love affection from their people. 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. “, You are communicating to them in a really positive way and they love it,”. Some dogs are trained well to tolerate hugs, such as therapy dogs. However, every dog has a unique personality. To make sure your embrace isn’t like the forced, awkward kind at the end of a bad Tinder date, read your dog… 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. “We’re doing something that for a dog can be perceived as very confrontational,” Mullins adds. Her story on a New Jersey farm that raises water buffalo won a "Best Single Article" Eddie Award for excellence in magazine writing. Although I get an image of Dr. McConnell wagging her finger at me when I do it, I still hug Honey with a big squeeze around the neck sometimes. That way, you’ll know whether or not they’re enjoying a particular interaction. Behavior of a dog depends on the person they are receiving the hug from, and their discoveries at its peak when a stranger tries to embrace. The closest thing our furry family members do to … Most will tolerate a hug but if you observe their body language, they are not comfortable and relaxed. Mood matters, too. 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. Dogs don’t like to be hugged. In addition to feeling like a confrontation may be starting, a dog’s temperament and history may also dictate whether or not he likes to be hugged. Molly is an award-winning independent journalist who often writes about animals and the humans who care for them. © 2021 Great Pet Media. However, it’s not in their DNK to love hugs. Miss those cues, Mullins notes, and you risk your dog escalating things in an attempt to squash the situation. The feeling of confinement normally sets off a ‘fight or flight’ stress response. To avoid problems when small children want to pet the dogs, I show-and-tell how much the dogs like being petted gently on the shoulder. Dogs have been domesticated for so long that they have learned to borrow some characteristics of human behavior as their own. 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. Stay alert for your dog’s subtle body language cues, outlined above. It is true that some dogs (especially therapy dogs) will tolerate or even like being hugged, but many dogs do not enjoy the gesture; especially if … If your dog is displaying any of these signs, it’s best not to initiate a hug. 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. While some dogs, especially those trained as therapy dogs, can tolerate it, in general, dogs do not enjoy this interaction. 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. Image: Oliver rossi, getty images By Andrea Romano 2016-04-28 15:37:22 UTC. “But it’s just not a natural way that dogs interact with each other. Do Dogs Like Hugs? Download for tips on how to be the best dog owner you can be. Our content and products are for informational purposes only. 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. If she pulls away, I let go. Do Dogs Like Hugs? All rights reserved. Dr. Elizabeth Racine is a small animal veterinarian with a passion for writing. “But it’s just not a natural way that dogs interact with each other.”. Interceptor is a trademark of Elanco or its affiliates. Experts in dog behavior believe that, in general, dogs do not like being embraced. It's SO into this hug. AKC actively advocates for responsible dog ownership and is dedicated to advancing dog sports. 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. Some may even come to associate kisses with attention, and quite a … Humans love physical contact; it’s in our DNA and it’s pretty hard not to hug someone you love. No. If your pup comes over to you and leans in, you can try leaning back in to him. , an arms-around-the-neck moment may feel more like a confrontation or rough play than affection. A feeling of do dogs like hugs normally sets off a ‘ fight or flight ’ stress response ’. Very different is neither an instinctive nor a taught behavior, nutrition, and you your. Escalating things in an attempt to squash the situation their question of how dogs.. The clinic or creating content, Dr. Racine enjoys playing trampoline dodgeball ( Yes, really Mullins ’ s tip. 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