{"id":443,"date":"2016-05-02T06:00:33","date_gmt":"2016-05-02T06:00:33","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/happypetsinfo.com\/blog\/?p=443"},"modified":"2017-03-10T19:59:45","modified_gmt":"2017-03-10T19:59:45","slug":"should-you-hug-your-dog","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/happypetsinfo.com\/blog\/should-you-hug-your-dog\/","title":{"rendered":"Should You Hug Your Dog?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Does Your Dog Really Want To Be Hugged?<\/h1>\n

\"happy<\/a><\/p>\n

There seems to be a lot of controversy now regarding dogs and hugging.\u00a0 There are \u2018experts\u2019 who claim that dogs feel threatened and that what you interpret as enjoyment from them might be the dog simply enduring the moment, or possibly barely contained dislike for what is happening.\u00a0 The theory is that because dogs are animals that, in times of stress or threat, have a first line defense of their ability to run away, they may feel surrounded and immobilized when hugged, which may cause their stress and anxiety levels to increase.<\/p>\n

I strongly believe that the answer to the question: does my dog like to be hugged<\/em> depends on her personality and background, and on your relationship with each other. \u00a0You might already know exactly how your dog feels about hugging.\u00a0 If she leans into you and snuggles up, it\u2019s safe to say that she likes her hugs from you and does not feel threatened or immobilized in any way.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s important to be sure how your dog feels about being hugged by you, but it\u2019s also important to know how she feels when strangers go in for a hug.\u00a0 If a dog barely tolerates hugs, then the wrong hug at the wrong time from the wrong person may trigger anxiety or fear in your dog and could result in your dog snapping at the hugger.<\/p>\n

Thankfully, dogs make their thoughts abundantly clear through their body language, and as long as you know what to look for, you will know what your dog thinks of a loving squeeze. Please see my article on Understanding Your Dog\u2019s Body Language<\/a>, dated March 28 2016.<\/p>\n

A very good way of determining whether your dog likes to be hugged is to have someone take a photo of the two of you hugging. While we\u2019re hugging our pets, we don\u2019t see their faces, so the photo will tell the true tale.<\/p>\n

Signs of Distress<\/strong><\/h5>\n

Bared teeth is an obvious sign of anxiety<\/p>\n

If your dog turns her head away from you and your hug (averted gaze), she is turning away from whatever is worrisome or distressing<\/p>\n

When a dog\u2019s mouth is open and relaxed, the dog is relaxed. If your dog closes her mouth when you hug her, she may be experiencing a change in her feelings<\/p>\n

Licking, yawning, or raising a paw can be signs of distress<\/p>\n

Lowering her ears or slicking them back against her head<\/p>\n

If your dog \u201cshakes it off\u201d (as in after a bath) after a hug, she may be showing displeasure<\/p>\n

(There is no sound in the video below)<\/p>\n