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The simple science behind why dogs don’t like hugs from their humans comes down to one thing: Dogs don’t hug each other. Dogs are pack animals by nature and when another dog places his paws on your dog’s neck or drapes his neck overtop your dog’s shoulder, this is considered a social threat. Your dog doesn’t recognize an embrace as affectionate behavior, then, but instead feels he is being pinned down. Dogs show their affection through other behaviors, such as licking, physical proximity and playing. So, while your canine companion may not return your warm embrace, he could be showing his adoration in a multitude of other ways.
Receiving hugs can be confusing for our canines. After all, why would their most trusted humans lock them in a threatening embrace? Instead, owners should shower their companions with affection in ways that translate well to both species. Like humans, dogs enjoy being near to those they love, so allow your pet to sit next to you on the couch or in your lap. Spend time engaged in activities you both enjoy, such as playing with a favorite toy, visiting the local park or gentle grooming. Shower your dog with touch, which will affirm your bond with him. If you receive a few slobbery kisses in return, you’ll know your dog feels the same way.
P.S. THIS ARTICLE HAS NOT BEEN WRITTEN BY US. IT IS REPORTING SOME RECENT RESEARCH. WE HUG OUR DOGS EVERYDAY!!!:) - Petbucket Team!
Comments(33)
both my dogs are huggers, my boxer wil lcome and shove his nose under my arm until I give him a big and my shar-pei will actually gently rise up on his back legs and hug me. I know for some dogs this is a threat but dogs now a days are less apack animal and more the child
Bullshit! Dogs love hugs
SOME dogs love hugs - I have one that will NOT allow you to put your arms around her, she will bolt - but affectionate in loads of other ways. I find one arm around them & rub their chest is liked far more than a two armed hug. Each are different, each have their own likes & dislikes.
I call bullshit on this on, too!!! My dogs and cat love to be hugged and cuddled.
I fear the author of this article has only dealt with emotionally compromised dogs, because every dog I've ever met in over 50 years, has delighted in being hugged, and most will seek out hugs...
No dogs don't like hugs! It is not natural to them, maybe yours have learned to like them??
Some dogs like it really well and some dogs don't. Just like with people, they have their own personalities. Out of my 6 dachshunds, 4 liked it, 2 didn't. I'm guilty, I would still hug those two every now and then quickly. (-;
LOLOLOL!!! My thoughts too ;)
Two of mine lke hugs and snuggling any time they can get it. Tori puts her paws around our neck and gives kisses. Bonnie is too busy.... But at night he is a snuggler. Not every dog likes that, some do to a certain degree and some live for the close affection. Every dog is different.
My dogs were rescues, and not only like hugs, they actively ask for them. My girl dog barks at me until I hug her. The boy climbs onto my lap, flips over until he is resting on my shoulder, and sighs contentedly. Any dog I have ever had sought hugs, and one of them actually hugged people, including the vets who had saved her life. Maybe it has something to do with having been pound puppies. Also, I have always let the pets initiate the hugs. Animals really appreciate having been rescued.
I believe if a dog really trusts and knows you they can be quite comfortable with all physical interactions. Just like they can with each other if they know and trust the other dog. My dogs wrestle and pin each other down in play just as a litter of pups would but if a dog they didn't know tried that wouldn't go well. I thinking hugging is the same. Its a trust thing.
This is complete and total stupidity and BS !!! Aand it is also upsetting to think some people really think this !!!!!! i see our dogs hug each other--they will sleep close in an embraced manner- we have some that hug us ! they love being hugged and held and loved ! So if you treat your animal so sterile-- hate to see how you want us to treat children next !! I own Siberian huskies,Australian Shepherds and have a Siberian/Timber wolf mix !! they ALL love to be hugged and demand it with their actions ! I will continue to hug and love on my dogs ALWAYS !!!!!
I think the article is using the term 'hug' just to mean an embrace that threatens to pin the animal with your closeness -- though there are all kinds of ways to hug as everyone points out. Our dogs all seek snuggles and belly rubs and kisses now -- but when they were young and new to us they would sort of punch and kick out if they were lying on their backs and we tried to 'smother/hug' them! Now that they trust us they LOVE being smooshed and kissed on! It helps if you giggle and use a happy voice whenever you romp with a new pet -- they can tell by your voice/tone that it's all in fun.
I have a mini dashund who loves hugs and loves to cuddle, and a shih-tsu who doesn't, he does cuddle on his terms-he has to come to me! I think it depends on the dog! LOL!!
This is completely bullshit, my dog love(d) to be hugged. She would kiss my in return.
Now this is just CRAP!!!!!! Obviously this writer/s is not an animal person. Please go and do something a little more intelligent..........
We have 2 dogs, Toy Poodle & Maltese. Our Maltese loves tummy rubs & having me romp with him but doesn't like to be picked up. He doesn't mind a little hug as long as he's standing on his own feet but isn't cuddly & prefers his own bed. Poodle loves to be hugged, cuddled, kissed & sleep snuggled up to me. Just like humans they have different personality's.
I'm 70 yrs. old & had dogs all my life. Just like us they have different personality's. Some love to be hugged, kissed & cuddled, some don't. They aren't all alike any more than we are.
My dog loves my hugs; I'm her alpha-mommy.
I believe the author is talking about a close embrace with the dog not a rub on the back. My wife continues to try and hug her dog only to have her gulp and occasionally growl at her. I am waiting for the worst to happen eventually and then one of them are going down the road.
Bad for me or not!
It will be a cold day in Hell before I stop hugging dogs!
They would probably rather get sniffed or licked as they do with other dogs.
What? Who wrote this article and how did he/she come up with this nonsense? Unbelievable? Garbage!
we have bichon/shitz and he loves his hugs has soon has I get home he in my arms suggling this is complete bull shit and and who ever wrote this should hav a dog
Complete, unadulterated BULLSHIT. Author must be a self-proclaimed dog-whisperer who has mistaken her cat for a dog, an over-zealous animal activist who hasn't pooped in over two years, or a democrat.
I think they have dogs and cats mixed up. Some dogs don't like hugs, but more dogs like hugs than do cats. Our 3 cats, when hugged, climb out of the grip, and up on to the shoulder, where they perch like a parrot. Or, alternatively, they will climb down the back, sometimes with claws (ouch).
They sure are huggers, my liltte dog puts his head over my shoulder and i wake up with his head on my chest
We had a lab for 16 years, he was very smart and affectionate but didn't love to be hugged. Looking back, seems he may have been tolerating our hugs. Lol. Thanks for the article, explains why some dogs just simply dont care for hugs.
Dogs are always going to love your hugs. And they are going to love your loving care for them but they will always love your heart and soul so who ever wrote this is is what to the author you are loco and you are just bull butt pee pee
Your dog is trying to kill you... RUN!!!
Have had 5 golden retrievers in 40 years. .all huggers.
My JRT, whom I adopted when she was three months of age is an ok hugger but prefers a massage to her neck and back.
My other dog (terrier mix) was adopted from a shelter and seldomly allows many people near him, let alone give a hug.
As other people have posted in their respective comment it all depends on the dog and its upbringing.
I do have a Chocolate lab who does not like to be hugged she will accually growl, not bite never has ever, not show teeth either just a low growl. Another lab of mine will turn his head. But I do have tow other labs and a GSD who all three like it.
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