Why do dogs not like hugs

Do Dogs Like Hugs? Is It OK to Kiss Your Dog? Get the Facts.

Nobody wants to get bitten by a dog.

Worse still, no one wants their dog to be the biter especially where kids are involved.

But say a child hugs a fluffy dog they know. If the dog isnt happy, then disaster can strike.

Think of it this way: Consider how dogs like to sniff rears and yet we humans would be unhappy if forced to butt-sniff. So why do we assume dogs like the human behavior of hugs?

Do Dogs Like Hugs? The Science Says Not Really.

As it happens, basic dog psychology easily explains why some dogs dislike hugs.

Its called the fight-or-flight reflex.

A stressed, surprised or frightened dog experiences a massive shot of adrenaline and cortisol fight-or-flight hormones in the bloodstream. They put the dog into survival mode to either flee from the threat or fight back.

What if a dog feels threatened by a child hugging them but is held so tight they cant wriggle free? What happens next?

• If the dog is good-natured, then nothing may happen except the dog feels miserable.
• However, theres a chance instinct takes over: The dog, unable to escape, turns to fight and bites the child to make the hugging stop.

Why Children Shouldnt Hug Dogs

The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) as a sponsor of Dog Bite Prevention Week advises against children hugging dogs.

Because children are small, hugging puts them close to the dogs mouth. Therefore, hug-related bites are often to the childs face.

Whats more, hugging an unwilling dog stresses them out which may lead them to bite.

For more, see our related article Teach Your Kids How to Greet a Strange Dog.

In the Wild, Dogs Huddle When Theres Danger

Another argument against hugging is what happens in a pack situation.

Take a pack of wild dogs, for example:

• Danger threatens, and they huddle together. Shoulder to shoulder, safety in numbers.
• The pressure of another dog pressed into against their flanks (a hug) is a signal theres danger around.
• This gets the fight-or-flight reflex kicking in, placing the dogs on high alert.

So when we hug a dog and hold them tight, the pressure against their body can send the wrong message. Instead of reassuring the dog, its like hanging out a flashing neon light that screams DANGER!

This presses a lot of buttons for me as a veterinarian.

Its common to have a small dog clutched tight to the bosom of a comforting client. That little dog then snarls and snaps because the little dog has picked up on the persons anxiety, and the hug sends a DANGER! message. Of course the dog is going to be wary.

Instead, reassure your dog by doing the following:

In 81% of Photos of People Hugging Dogs, the Dogs Look Distressed

In 2016, dog-psychology supremo Professor Stanley Coren,PhD, DSc, FRSC,did his own back-of-the-envelope investigation.

He wanted to know if dogs loved or hated hugs.

Dr. Coren looked at 250 images of people hugging dogs. He then analyzed the dogs body language for signs of stress.

The results were surprising and even alarming:

• 81% of the photos showed dogs giving off at least 1 distress sign.
• 11% showed dogs who seemed to neither like nor dislike the hugs.
• 8% of the dogs seemed to enjoy the cuddle.

Dr. Coren looked for classic dog body language that signal emotional discomfort or inner conflict.

• Avoiding eye contact
• Turning the head away
• Showing the whites of the eyes
• Lowered or flattened ears
• Lip licking
• Yawning
• Submissive eye closing
• Stiffness and lack of relaxation

Now, take a look at the images below:

This is just a snapshot of a Google image search for the phrase people hugging dogs.

What do you see in most of these pictures above: love, dislike or ambivalence?

6 Tips for Hugging Your Dog the Right Way

Make sure your dog is happy by following these 6 tips:

1. Get the dog used to being touched.

Touch a part of their body thats not controversial, such as stroking along their back.

Then praise them for being so brave, and reward them with a treat. This helps the dog associate touch with nice things.

2. Now, gradually extend the areas you touch.

Slide your hand down a leg slightly, then praise and reward. This is also a great technique for teaching foot-phobic dogs to have their paws touched.

3. Avoid forcing the dog into a situation theyre unhappy with.

Take things slow and steady so you dont overwhelm the dog with affection.

4. Keep hugs short.

Less is more. Give the dog the option to leave while theyre still happy.

5. Be aware that dogs are individuals.

Some dogs may enjoy a hug and a snuggle. Others? Not so much.

Try to give them a choice of whether they walk away or participate.

6. Reading the individual dog is key to happy hugs.

Dont overlook the context of the cuddle.

For example, your dog may be happy to snuggle while watching TV in the evening, but they wriggle and squirm when its time for supper. Dont force the dog to stay still, or this could backfire with a bite.

Dont Send the Wrong Message by Hugging Your Dog

Also, be mindful of the dogs state of mind when you move in for a hug.

The dog with a fireworks phobia may be more stressed rather than comforted by a cuddle. If the dog genuinely takes comfort in an embrace, then fine, but let them hide away if they want to until the noise goes away.

If you persist in hugging during a fireworks display, you might accidentally teach the wrong lesson: Even if a dog likes hugs, they may look on this as a reward for fearful behavior.

This accidentally reinforces the wrong message that theyre right to be afraid.

Hugging and a Dogs Heart Rate

In a neat study from the 1970s, Erik Zimen, a wolf behavior expert, scored the physical appearance of dogs (such as ear position, tail and lips) when the dogs were being hugged. He also measured their respiratory and heart rates.

What happens when were fearful? Our heart rate shoots up. Anxious? We breathe more quickly in preparation to run away.

So if dogs dont like being hugged, those dropped ears and whites of the eyes should be backed up by a racing heart rate and fast respiration.

Zimen found what we instinctively knew all along:

• When you know the dog and the dog knows you, their heart and respiratory rate go down as they relax into your embrace.
• As for a hug from a stranger: The dog initially shows a stress heart rate, but they soon start to relax and the heart and respiratory rate fall down.

Likewise, it can be the same for a dog when an unfamiliar child cuddles them too tight.

Here are some more tips for children to stay safe around dogs:

Hugging Your Dog? Use Common Sense.

In short, judge hugs on an individual basis.

When you know the dog and they know you, especially when theyre pleasantly tired, then a hug can be a lovely thing.

However, if you dont know the dog or your pet is focused on food or wanting a walk rather than love, then think twice before trying to hug the dog or cuddle them.

Does Your Dog Kiss You?

With hugs out of the way, lets talk about canine kisses.

Is it OK for a dog to lick your mouth, or will it make you ill?

Hound Hygiene

Theres an urban myth that a dogs mouth is cleaner than our own.

And this is where the first problem with kisses comes in. That doggy breath your pooch has? Its caused by a mixture of bacteria, plaque and inflammation. When dogs lick you, theyre transferring those doggy bugs onto your skin or into your mouth.

Astudy by Japanese scientists found that dog saliva contained bacterial pathogens that could cause periodontal disease in humans. That meansgum inflammation thatcan potentially lead to the loosening and loss of teeth.

Worse still, if those bugs get into the bloodstream, they can cause infection in the heart or kidney.

Antiseptic Saliva?

But doesnt dog saliva have disinfectant properties, you might ask?

This is something I come across regularly as a veterinarian, when peoplelet their dog lick a wound or a surgical incision. They believe that licking is OK because of salivas natural disinfectant properties.

Scientists looked into this and came up with a yes but no answer. It turns out dog saliva is weakly antiseptic toward E. coli and streptococci, but little else. Because the most common skin pathogens are staphylococci, licking is a bad choice it makes the area moist and therefore a better environment in which bugs may breed.

Those weak antiseptic properties certainly are not enough to protect your health if the dog kisses you.

Bug Breath

A dogs mouth and lips can be contaminated with some pretty unpleasant things (think eating poop and scavenging trash). These can include infectious agents such as:

• Salmonella
• Campylobacter
• Giardia
• Toxocara

The negative effects of that slurpy kiss could persist long after the saliva has dried. And thats without taking the behavioral side into account.

Lick That Behavior

A mother licks her newborn puppies to stimulate them to pass urine and feces. A dog licks their paw to comfort themselves.

But if your dog licks you, it could be prompted by anxiety the dog is worried and is giving you an appeasement signal. Rather than saying, I love you, theyre saying, Im a bit scared of you.

Licking is habit-forming, so when you giggle and fuss with the dog, theyll likely repeat the action to get attention. This can lead to unwelcome, intrusive and downright soggy licking.

To break this habit, say, No in a firm voice, get up and walk away. Denying the dog attention when helicks sends out a strong message that it displeases you.

Alternatively, you can put the behavior on cue and teach the dog a lick command. This then gives you the means to teach a No kiss command when you want licking to stop.

Canine kisses may be cute, but theyre not without hazard. You do risk picking up infections. So why not teach your doga healthy high-five greeting instead?

References

This pet health content was written by a veterinarian,

Dr. Pippa Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS

. It was last reviewed Sept. 14, 2020.

If you have questions or concerns, call your vet, who is best equipped to ensure the health and well-being of your pet. This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. See

additional information

.

The Truth About Dog Hugs: What You Need to Know

Do you love hugging your furry friend? Most pet owners do. But have you ever wondered if dogs actually enjoy being hugged? In this article, HowPetCare will dig into this topic and uncover the truth behind doggy hugs. You'll discover why some dogs love hugs, why others don't, and how to show affection to your canine companion in a way that they truly appreciate.

Canines, Primates, and Hugs

Humans and primates often express affection by putting their arms around each other or embracing chest to chest. But dogs have a different way of showing affection. When dogs put their paw over a shoulder, they are displaying social status or engaging in play, not showing affection. Dogs rarely engage in chest-to-chest contact, except when they are fighting.

Author and animal behaviorist Patricia McConnell explains in her book, The Other End of the Leash: Why We Do What We Do Around Dogs, that dogs do not perceive hugs the same way humans do. McConnell provides evidence through photographs of happy people hugging unhappy dogs, clearly showing signs of discomfort. So next time you browse through YouTube videos of people hugging dogs, you'll understand why it's not as heartwarming as it seems.

Dogs Who Hug

Of course, there are exceptions. Some dogs do enjoy hugs, especially if they have a strong bond with their owner and feel comfortable with physical affection. If your dog loves hugs, it's likely due to the following reasons:

• You and your dog have a strong, trusting bond, and your dog understands that you're expressing affection.
• Your dog is naturally more cuddly than average.
• You are in tune with your dog's body language and adjust your hugs to make them comfortable.

Take my dog, Honey, for example. She is an affectionate and cuddly dog who enjoys physical touch. However, even she has her limits. Strangers who want to hug her immediately may make her feel slightly uncomfortable. In such situations, I redirect their attention to scratching her favorite spot, her butt, which she absolutely loves.

How Dogs Hug

While dogs may not hug each other the way humans do, they have their own ways of showing affection and initiating closeness. Here are some actions that can be considered the equivalent of doggy hugs:

• Resting a chin on your body
• Leaning against you
• Crawling onto your lap
• Sleeping next to you
• Standing between your legs

How to Hug Your Dog

Despite the fact that some dogs may not naturally enjoy hugs, it doesn't mean you can't share a hug with your furry friend. The key is to pay attention to their body language and respect their preferences. Here are some tips for hugging your dog:

• Be mindful of their comfort level. If they pull away or show signs of discomfort, let go.
• Choose a safe and relaxed environment for hugging. Avoid crowded places or situations that might stress your dog.
• Let your dog guide you. Observe how they prefer to show affection and adapt your hugging style accordingly.

Remember, it's essential to respect your dog's boundaries and preferences when it comes to physical touch. While it may be tempting to give them a big, primate-style hug, it's important to prioritize their comfort and well-being.

So, next time you feel the urge to give your dog a hug, take a moment to consider their perspective. And if you want to learn more about this topic, check out the video Does Your Dog REALLY Want a Hug for some interesting insights into how dogs respond to hugs.

Keys to Take Away

• Dogs don't perceive hugs in the same way humans do.
• Some dogs may enjoy hugs due to a strong bond with their owners.
• Dogs have their own ways of showing affection, such as leaning or resting their chin on your body.
• Pay attention to your dog's body language and adjust your hugging style accordingly.
• Always prioritize your dog's comfort and well-being.

For more informative articles on pet care and dog behavior, visit HowPetCare. Remember, understanding your furry friend's needs is key to building a happy and healthy relationship.