Content
- Learn to interpret the language of dogs
- Is it good to hug a dog?
- Show affection without stressing it
We love our furry ones so much that we sometimes want to hug them as we would any other friend or family member, for them this is not as pleasant as you might think. While for us it is a gesture of love, for dogs it is a gesture that blocks them and causes them stress.
You've certainly noticed that your dog tried to run away or turned his head when you tried to hug him. At that moment he must have asked himself why doesn't my dog like to be hugged? At PeritoAnimal we'll give you the information you need to know a little better about animal behavior and show you how you can hug it without feeling stressed.
Learn to interpret the language of dogs
Because they cannot communicate verbally, dogs use calming signals, body postures that help them express themselves in front of other dogs, but which we as owners must also be able to interpret.
When you hug a dog it can show two or more signs of which we show you below. When they do any of these things, they are saying, in their own way, that they don't like to be hugged. The problem is that sometimes it can insist so much that it bites, for that reason it's better to respect your space if any of these signs are shown:
- put your ears down
- rotate the muzzle
- Avoid your gaze
- try to turn your back
- rotate your body
- close your eyes a little
- lick the muzzle constantly
- try to escape
- growls
- show teeth
Is it good to hug a dog?
Psychologist Stanley Coren published an article in Psychology Today magazine called The data Says "Don’t Hug the Dog!" stating that effectively, dogs don't like it when they're hugged. In fact, he presented a series of 250 random photographs of people hugging their dogs and in 82% of them the dogs showed some sign of escape that we discussed earlier.
Coren explained that these animals have a very fast reaction and functioning ability, and that they need to be able to run away when they feel in danger or cornered. This means that when you hug them, they feel locked and stuck, do not have this ability to escape if something happens. So their first reaction is to run and they can't do it, it's normal for some dogs to try to bite to get free.
Show affection without stressing it
Dr caring for your dog is the best you can do to strengthen your bond, but doing it in a way that doesn't cause you fear, stress or anxiety is one of the five freedoms of animal welfare.
You can always caress him to relax, brushing his fur or playing with him to show him your love. Follow these points to stop wondering, why doesn't my dog like to be hugged?
- Approach him with silence and making gentle movements so that he is not alert.
- Let him see how he approaches so he doesn't get scared.
- Let it smell your hand, with the palm of your hand open.
- Sit by your side quietly.
- Practice manipulating different parts of the body, always progressively and helping him with prizes if necessary, so that he can associate his hands with something positive.
- Gently put your arm over your loin and give it a pat. You can also rub it calmly, without squeezing it.
