[daasayse]

so i was reading on another forum that you shouldn't hug your dogs because the dog may see it as a threat or you trying to assert dominance over them, and that dogs are generally very uncomfortable being hugged, i also read this somewhere else, but don't remember where.

I have always hugged my dogs, and my dogs don't seem to mind it, and when i open my arms to them for a hug them come prancing right over to me for it with big wagging tails and tons of kisses?

Has anyone ever experienced a problem hugging their own dog? i could see maybe not hugging strange dogs that you don't know but idk i like being able to hug my dogs, is this something that you think i should stop doing/not do to my future dogs?Do you hug your dogs? What are your thoughts on this?

[poekfpojoibien]

I hug my dog all the time im not worried about it

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[JesexhiSeeces]

But my dog wants to be hugged, what are we supposed to do?

[Vkowefek]

I could see an individual dog with unaddressed issues taking it as a threat but I've always hugged my dogs. Also, you don't hug a strange dog because you don't know how the dog will react to you. But as a general rule, I'd say it's okay to hug your own dog and dogs you spend a lot of time with, provided said dog isn't showing signs of being uncomfortable with the extra attention/pressure.

[Usogwdkb]

I hug Trina all the time and give her smooches on the side of her face. She loves it! I hold her face and tell her what a good girl she is and how much we love her. She responds with smiling and tail wagging! I can understand if a dog has other issues, but until she gives me adverse feedback, I will continue! Heck if I share my pillow with her she better let me hug her LOL

[nobodyhere]

on the forum they stated that a lot of dog attacks were caused by 'hugging' and that it's very dangerous.it's considered an "insult" to your dog

I never felt threatened when i hugged my dogs

[soryalomop]

You suppose to assert dominance over your dog.... Or your dog will take on the dominant role.

[DumbNelmcrece]

Sam loves hugs from mommy! lol. I dont see a problem with it!

[Savviioor]

eh I hug Max and Scooby I also give them kisses on the cheek and go forehead to forehead while massaging their temporalis muscles, they seem to like it.

[Pznrrmaf]

a quote from that forum, as an example as to why you shouldn't hug your dog
my friend just was bit in the face to the tune of 21 stitches from his ShH2 rotti. A dog he has raised from a pup. He simply bent down and hugged his 2 1/2 yr old male. He also places the blame on himself and feels he provoked it. The dog could have ripped his face off, while 21 stitches sounds bad (and is) the dog warned him and moved on. This is not a crazy dog, not a dog that needs to be put down. This is a well bred, well trained dog and anyone can debate this all they want, I'm with Gretchen. Do not be rude and hug your dog. There are a million other ways to show affection.

[Yinekol]

You should be able to hug your own dog. If you can't hug your own dog, there are much bigger issues at hand.

Roxy didn't like being hugged, but she definitely wouldn't rip my face off if I did hug her.

Certain "strange" dogs, I can and do hug, because from their body language they are clearly fine with it, others you hold back until you know them better.

I do think that some dogs give clear signals that they're uncomfortable for whatever reasons and hugging them at that time is a huge mistake that could lead to an accident, but I find saying; NEVER hug your dog to be more than a bit of a stretch IMHO.

I can't imagine what would happen if you couldn't hug your dog for fear of getting bit if one day they were injured and you had to attend to that injury...

[MormefWrarebe]

From that post it sounds like there was probably other issues involved. As an owner you should know what makes your dog uncomfortable. Bending over a dogs back to hug them can be perceived by certain dogs from certain people as a dominating threat. That being said, I always hugged my dog his entire life. Never once did he perceive it as a threat. He thoroughly enjoyed the attention. If a stranger bent over him (like at the vet for certain procedures) I noticed he wasn't too comfortable with it and after the first sign that he was uncomfortable with it I stepped in and from that day forward always held my own dog because he trusted me.

[jacknates]

I could see maybe an animal that may have a not so positive past may have issues with it. Or a dog with some sort of Temperment Instabilities may see it as a threat. But honestly a well behaved dog with a good temperment, especially one that you have raised from a pup who is used to getting snuggles and hugs, I don't see where it would be an issue.

Honestly I think if you can't hug your own dog without fear of being attacked, there are bigger issues going on.

I think this is one of those situations where you have to know the dog and be able to read body language. I mean they give you all sorts of signals of what is cool to them and what won't fly. Now I would never recommend walking up to a dog you know nothing about and throwing your arms around it, but your own dog. Come on

[Cgnebksb]

My dog does not like to be hugged. I can tell by his body language that it makes him uncomfortable... Looks at you with his head turned away and he gets a "worried" look in his eyes. Trying to teach my toddler daughter not to hug his is a challenge,lol, but my dog is also not 100% comfortable with small children. He loves older children though.

[cindygirl]

my boy is the same as your Pitifull, neither to much like to be hugged, we are trying to work on them getting more comfortable with it so when Katie is a toddler they will tolerate her hugs better. They don't mind at all if they are standing though, sitting is when they mind it, just tense up.

[dupratac]

^^ uh oh. (pitiful)

Psh, my dog's get hugged minimal, everytime we leave, come home and got to bed

[phinno13]

My dog does not like to be hugged. I can tell by his body language that it makes him uncomfortable... Looks at you with his head turned away and he gets a "worried" look in his eyes. Trying to teach my toddler daughter not to hug his is a challenge,lol, but my dog is also not 100% comfortable with small children. He loves older children though.

As humans we want to hug (and enjoy it) because of the act of bring two hearts close together-a sign of affection and trust (putting our most vulnerable parts together). In the dog world you will never see two dogs "hug". Most times anything over their shoulder or even being up on hind legs with chests bumping is not a sign of affection. While I think for some dogs this is a learned activity, others are just more ...um, what's the word I'm looking for... instinctual in knowing this isn't common behavior for them.

So like others are saying-to a strange dog-hell no, I would not hug them and I do believe it is absolutely dangerous. But to my own dogs, who I can read, who I believe are comfortable enough with me to know I don't intend them any harm, and who have become accustomed to being snuggled/hugged yes I'll continue to hug them. I think it's important to teach kids not to approach dogs in that way...I think many are too young and not reliable enough to know to only do it to their doggy. Just because you can take a ball out of Spot's mouth without issue does not mean you can take it out of Spiff's mouth-you know what I mean? So it's just better to teach them the absolute proper way, until they're older and more reliable.

[Optipitle]

Yeah, teaching children the proper way to approach a dog is a tough job. Especially when they are young, since they do not have many boundaries themselves. Having a child of my own now, it is easy to see why so many children get bitten by dogs...a lot of people (parents) do not know how to read a dogs warning signs and a bite ensues.

My dog is a slightly insecure/fearful dog (mainly of strange men and infants), so I have really had to work with him and my daughter to teach them both boundaries. I am really focusing on giving my dog the okay to get up and walk away when I see him get nervous around my daughter (when she is wanting to climb all over him), as well as teaching my daughter to leave the dog alone.

Although I can give my dog a hug, I know he doesnt feel comfortable with it, so I just pet him when I need the affection, lol. I figure its a good idea to teach my daughter not to hug our dog too, so she doesnt make the assumption that she can hug strange dogs as well.

We are getting a puppy in a couple of weeks so a whole nother set of boundaries will have to be taught to both dog and child.

[OQmYckYz]

Many dogs will put up with it, but they really don't LIKE it. They understand OUR language better than we understand theirs. They enjoy being with us and the interaction and will put up with hugging in a joyful way, but it's not something they are elated at having done to them.

Look at the expression on the dogs' faces while they are being hugged by their owners in "The Other End of the Leash" by McConnell.

Carla

[immewaycypef]

It depends on the dog and how comfortable he/she feels. I have heard you shouldn't hug a dog because it makes them uncomfortable.

I can hug Sunny but I don't unless he chooses to come in for a hug. I know he'd never nip me but I don't know if he %100 likes being hugged. Also, I don't feel the need to hug him so I don't.

I can hug Serenity if I choose to but she doesn't really like it so I don't do it, especially since I believe she has the potential to nip me. If anyone else did that, they'd be bitten. I let her choose when she wants a 'hug'. She'll approach me and cuddle next to me and that's when I know I'm %100 safe to give her a hug.