Hugging stresses your dog out?

[Jingthing]

Did we really NEED to know this?
How else are the pooches supposed to repay us for the kibble, the vet bills, and the picking up after their bizness?

Geez ...

Bad news dog lovers: science is here again, ready to ruin to your day.

You know all those doting hugs and cuddles you give to your dog every day? Apparently, your pup hates that. A lot.

In an article published earlier this month in Psychology Today, Dr. Stanley Coren, a professor of psychology at the University of British Columbia who frequently writes about canine behaviors, argues that dogs almost always exhibit cues of discomfort or stress when they are being hugged or embraced by humans.

http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Sorry-everyone-scientists-say-you-shouldn-t-hug-7343181.php

[meatboy]

DOG S. me and mrs.meat have been cuddling ours the past 4yrs. does he love it? well he kept coming back for more at 1AM. tues.morning.

Edited April 27, 2016 by meatboy

[radka]

Coren cranked out a book on the intelligence levels of various dog breeds a couple of years back, and appeared to enjoy more notoriety than a cartoon dog-catcher. The public howls of protest from offended owners of the dog breeds (whom Coren deemed to be the dimwits of the canine world ), fetched him a dog pile of publicity and increased book sales. Coren knows that if he publishes something offensive or controversial, dog owners will respond with the predicability of Pavlov's dog, and generate massive amounts of drooling free publicity.

While I agree many dogs don't enjoy being groped and pawed by their owners, I believe he clearly overstates the numbers. His methodology is seemingly flawed, too.

Coren used random internet photos for his study, and did not have access to any information related to the context of the photos. Without the background story, it's difficult to determine whether the source of Fido's agitation was the hug itself or other stressors. Perhaps some of the dogs were even stressed out before being hugged.

One thing's for sure. Westminster or Crufts should award Coren a blue ribbon for best publicity hound.

[1FinickyOne]

Just not so for my dogs... they come seeking it... sure, being petted and scratched too... they love any and all affection and attention. Did this guy ever own a dog? It sure makes you wonder.

[Jingthing]

Could have predicted this. People saying not my dog must be about other dogs.

[WitawatWatawit]

Scratch my tummy, and I'll follow you anywhere.

[Jingthing]

I think petting is different than a constricted type of hug.

[misterphil]

I think this may be true. My female Doberman isnt interested in petting or hugs or any kind of affection at all. I sometimes think she has doggie autism. However my male Doberman is quite the opposite and will persist constantly for petting and affection.

If a dog doesnt like something they wont do it. Simple as.

[dotpoom]

I have for a long time now observed a certain discomfort in dogs when being hugged....especially by children,.....like they felt as if they were being choked.

[Jingthing]

I've noticed it too but dogs will want attention, and of course, you're the boss, so if you want to hug them, they're generally going to go along with it, even if they hate it. Of course the hugs would usually be mixed with things they like, petting, praise, attention, even treats.

Doggie psychology is an interesting area. Neurotic owner, neurotic dog, innit?

Edited April 27, 2016 by Jingthing

[dick dasterdly]

I think this may be true. My female Doberman isnt interested in petting or hugs or any kind of affection at all. I sometimes think she has doggie autism. However my male Doberman is quite the opposite and will persist constantly for petting and affection.

If a dog doesnt like something they wont do it. Simple as.

Exactly - some dogs enjoy being hugged, whereas others don't.

Many years ago I had a dog that (I kid you not) would give a heavy sigh as I gave him the everyday, first thing in the morning, hug. He made it v obvious that he wasn't keen, but tolerated my need to hug him .

Nowadays I have one dog that loves affection, but gets a bit nervous about being hugged. Another dog enjoys being hugged so much that after being hugged (if I'm lying down) he lies on top of me, puts his paws over my shoulders and falls asleep with his head on my chest with my arms still around him.

Like us, dogs are all different.

[dick dasterdly]

I have another dog that NEVER gets up on the sofa with me, and was somewhat taken aback (and sad when I thought about it) when she leapt up into the lap of a visitor in an armchair !

Over the years, its become obvious that she prefers more dominant personalities - whereas the dog that loves being hugged is the opposite.

[Jingthing]

So if you had a dog that you can tell gets stressed being hugged but still allows it (as most dogs will) would you still hug the pooch? I'm assuming most would.

[Tywais]

This is hardly news as has been pointed out by many over the years. BTW, when I was very young I ran over to a neighbor's dog and hugged it and it bit me in the face just under my eye. I don't do it anymore.

Embrace your dog, just not literally

To Hug or Not?

I’ve been guilty myself. That picture of me and Stella is the most glaring evidence. I’m all this is great. She’s all please just let this be over soon. Look at her face, the eyes, the way she’s actually leaning away from me. Her ears are pulled back, too. That’s another sign. You don’t have to believe the picture, though. Right after that shot was taken Stella started to wiggle her way free of my loving arms.

Nobody wants to be a party pooper, but here’s the bottom line. Dogs and humans don’t exactly show affection the same way. We drape our arms around the shoulders of people we like. To a primate (including human primates) nothing says you’re special like a hug. To a dog, it can feel like a threat. Watch what happens when a dog drapes his head over the shoulders of another dog. Trouble. That’s not to say dogs don’t learn to tolerate our hugs; they do. But it doesn’t come naturally to them.

11 things humans do that dogs hate

Hugging your dog

While you might love wrapping your arms around a furry canine friend, most dogs hate hugs. We as primates think hugs are awesome and express support, love, joy and other emotions through hugs. It’s totally normal to us to wrap our arms around something and squeeze, and it only means good things. But dogs did not evolve this way. Canids don’t have arms and they don’t hug. Rather than camaraderie, if a dog places a foreleg or paw on the back of another dog, this is considered an act of dominance. No matter your intentions with hugging, a dog is hardwired to view the act of hugging as you exerting your dominance. Many dogs will tolerate it with grace — the smiling face of the family golden retriever with a child’s arms wrapped around it comes to mind. But some dogs will feel threatened, fearful, or just flat out loathe the feeling — and in fact, a child grabbing a dog for a hug is why many dog bites occur.

[ggt]

I suspect stress during hugging...is only true of the good Doctor's dogs...my dog loves it...

[dick dasterdly]

So if you had a dog that you can tell gets stressed being hugged but still allows it (as most dogs will) would you still hug the pooch? I'm assuming most would.

The dog that sighed every time I gave him his early morning hug was my only dog at the time, and ashamedly yes, I continued - but only first thing in the morning as I had the time to play and just give affection later in the day.

On the other hand, my current dog that is uncomfortable at being hugged - no, I now have the time (not to mention 3 other dogs ), so can just give the much-desired affection, without the hugs.

But you're missing the point - some dogs LOVE to be hugged, whereas others don't.

[Jingthing]

Not really missing the point. Of course they have different personalities. Of course their personalities can be altered by the specific humans they interact with.

[dick dasterdly]

This is hardly news as has been pointed out by many over the years. BTW, when I was very young I ran over to a neighbor's dog and hugged it and it bit me in the face just under my eye. I don't do it anymore.

Embrace your dog, just not literally

To Hug or Not?

Capture.JPG

I’ve been guilty myself. That picture of me and Stella is the most glaring evidence. I’m all this is great. She’s all please just let this be over soon. Look at her face, the eyes, the way she’s actually leaning away from me. Her ears are pulled back, too. That’s another sign. You don’t have to believe the picture, though. Right after that shot was taken Stella started to wiggle her way free of my loving arms.

Nobody wants to be a party pooper, but here’s the bottom line. Dogs and humans don’t exactly show affection the same way. We drape our arms around the shoulders of people we like. To a primate (including human primates) nothing says you’re special like a hug. To a dog, it can feel like a threat. Watch what happens when a dog drapes his head over the shoulders of another dog. Trouble. That’s not to say dogs don’t learn to tolerate our hugs; they do. But it doesn’t come naturally to them.

11 things humans do that dogs hate

Hugging your dog

While you might love wrapping your arms around a furry canine friend, most dogs hate hugs. We as primates think hugs are awesome and express support, love, joy and other emotions through hugs. It’s totally normal to us to wrap our arms around something and squeeze, and it only means good things. But dogs did not evolve this way. Canids don’t have arms and they don’t hug. Rather than camaraderie, if a dog places a foreleg or paw on the back of another dog, this is considered an act of dominance. No matter your intentions with hugging, a dog is hardwired to view the act of hugging as you exerting your dominance. Many dogs will tolerate it with grace — the smiling face of the family golden retriever with a child’s arms wrapped around it comes to mind. But some dogs will feel threatened, fearful, or just flat out loathe the feeling — and in fact, a child grabbing a dog for a hug is why many dog bites occur.

Yes, and I have a dog that given the slightest opportunity jumps into my arms and licks my face as I give him a hug and, as previously posted, comes to me for a hug and then lies down in my arms to fall asleep.

But I do agree that most dogs far prefer affection to hugs.

[monkey4u]

We have a soi mutt and a little lap dog, the big one rescued from the beach, the little one from a pound

The little one thinks my missus is his mother and wants to be hugged and carried everywhere

The soi mutt wants to kill us unless its food time or she wants the ac turned on

Go figure are they spoilt or what

[1FinickyOne]

It is also situational - my dogs are not worried about being restrained if it is my wife or me... anyone else, forget it.

[MiKT]

Our 2 Chihuahua's think they are children and want to be carried everywhere, but don't much appreciate hugs from strangers.

Of our 10 Thai bitsa's, one or two want to be carried but are too big, all except one love strokes and short hugs, but only a couple would like extensive hugs.

One will not let anybody touch him at any time, but will condescend to sniff my hand on a good day. However, perversely enough he behaves very well when eventually captured to take to the vets for shots, etc.

Dogs are like people and they all have their own personalities and it does depend on the kind of hug I think, most bigger dogs seem to like sitting with a friendly arm around the shoulders, but most don't like full-on two arm hugs for long; so as a generalisation, I suppose that the canine shrink is probably right.

[dick dasterdly]

Our 2 Chihuahua's think they are children and want to be carried everywhere, but don't much appreciate hugs from strangers.

Of our 10 Thai bitsa's, one or two want to be carried but are too big, all except one love strokes and short hugs, but only a couple would like extensive hugs.

One will not let anybody touch him at any time, but will condescend to sniff my hand on a good day. However, perversely enough he behaves very well when eventually captured to take to the vets for shots, etc.

Dogs are like people and they all have their own personalities and it does depend on the kind of hug I think, most bigger dogs seem to like sitting with a friendly arm around the shoulders, but most don't like full-on two arm hugs for long; so as a generalisation, I suppose that the canine shrink is probably right.

Had to laugh at the emboldened part as one of my dogs was like that (towards me...) for a couple of years after I adopted a soi dog .

Don't give up as (fingers crossed) he'll become a lot more friendly given time.

Behaving well at the vets made me laugh even louder as the latest adopted soi dog ignores me on walks - but when at the vets behaves perfectly, to the extent that they always say what a lovely dog she is - with no prompting from me and they haven't said this about any of my other dogs (edit - that are all generally far better behaved)!

Edited April 27, 2016 by dick dasterdly

[aronp1]

So a professor of psychology thinks he is a canine specialist, this is something new. Sorry it is hard to believe human phychology could be cross referenced to dogs. I do believe that this issue may be true for some dogs and maybe even certain breeds, but to say every dog is the same is just plain stupid.

[Tywais]

So a professor of psychology thinks he is a canine specialist, this is something new. Sorry it is hard to believe human phychology could be cross referenced to dogs. I do believe that this issue may be true for some dogs and maybe even certain breeds, but to say every dog is the same is just plain stupid.

I was wondering about that also so did a little digging. Appears he has solid credentials to back him up. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stanley_Coren

"Outside of the classroom, Coren is an aficionado of dogs, and has made a long career of research into dog behaviour^[2] that has led him to national television and into international media. He is an instructor with the Vancouver Dog Obedience Training Club,^[3] and has participated in numerous obedience trials and competitions across Canada. In the process his dogs have earned numerous obedience titles."

Arguably, however, it was the 1994 publication of The Intelligence of Dogs that brought Coren to the public eye. A combination of Coren's background in psychology and his long-lasting love of dogs, the book became an international hit, and has gone through 16 printings to this point.^[47]

Since then, Coren has gone on to pen a number of other books on dog intelligence, dog learning and thinking ability, the human canine bond and its implications for people in modern society^[48] that have continued to make him a favorite among dog lovers.^[49]

Coren's books about dogs have garnered him a number of awards. His books have also been well received internationally. For example, The Intelligence of Dogs has been translated into 26 different languages.

And a long list of articles in Psychology Today - Canine Corner

[MiKT]

Our 2 Chihuahua's think they are children and want to be carried everywhere, but don't much appreciate hugs from strangers.

Of our 10 Thai bitsa's, one or two want to be carried but are too big, all except one love strokes and short hugs, but only a couple would like extensive hugs.

One will not let anybody touch him at any time, but will condescend to sniff my hand on a good day. However, perversely enough he behaves very well when eventually captured to take to the vets for shots, etc.

Dogs are like people and they all have their own personalities and it does depend on the kind of hug I think, most bigger dogs seem to like sitting with a friendly arm around the shoulders, but most don't like full-on two arm hugs for long; so as a generalisation, I suppose that the canine shrink is probably right.

Had to laugh at the emboldened part as one of my dogs was like that (towards me...) for a couple of years after I adopted a soi dog .

Don't give up as (fingers crossed) he'll become a lot more friendly given time.

Behaving well at the vets made me laugh even louder as the latest adopted soi dog ignores me on walks - but when at the vets behaves perfectly, to the extent that they always say what a lovely dog she is - with no prompting from me and they haven't said this about any of my other dogs (edit - that are all generally far better behaved)!

Thanks for your nice post, most of our bitsa's came from the same mother and were bought up as pups, so they are used to handling, but the siniffy one is one of several strays that the others went out and adopted, They bring back these emancipated scared wrecks and soon they are just one of the pack, sometimes very good having such fun mock fighting on a pile of sand and sometimes very bad - as in chasing next doors fighting chickens.

I think our dogs kind of look out for strays and bring them home as they know we will take them in. It does not take long for them to settle in and belong; like most people, dogs want to be wanted.

Mr sniff (real name Jodam) has been with us for at least 3 years, but still won't be touched. He's not unfriendly and is completely one of the family, but does not like humans to touch him. No doubt he was badly treated before he found us. Its odd to bring him back from the vets when he has been carried all the way and behaved perfectly and then comes home and "don't touch" again.

It seems to me that most Thai dogs are much better behaved than the average dog in the UK, they seem to be more relaxed, perhaps because they are usually left to more or less look after themselves.

Its great to find so many dog lovers still on TV when we often only get the "kill all soi doggers". Have to feel sorry for them - both the unloved dogs and the unlovable humans.

I have just seen the "dog sense of humour" post (very interesting articles thanks). Funnily enough we have 2 Chihuahua's that are quite different to each other. One had a bit of a sense of fun when young but prefers dignity as she gets older. The other is always trying to make us laugh and has a very strong sense of humour.

Edited April 27, 2016 by MiKT

[Slip]

As much as all dogs are not the same, the same dogs are not always the same. All my dogs (Chatujak pit, beach dog, soi dog) love to be cuddled if they have settled into it. None like to be 'grabbed' for a cuddle.

It isn't a natural state for a dog- but they will happily lie on your head when you want to sleep.

[meatboy]

ours like's every thing the mrs.does with him,in bed he has to sleep with his back against her first then me,when he wants a scatch he lays on his back legs in the air wide apart[like those garls on walking street].

outside if its girls or blokes he wants to kiss [lick] them but me very very rare.

who said its your bad breath.

[connda]

If you hugged my dog, my dog would probably bite you, showing you that she is stressed out. When I approach her (and my male) they'll let me know when they want physical proximity. They butt up against me. If you hug your dog, who is being submissive to you, the pack leader, then a hug is a sign of dominance that they are accepting.

But most people treat their dogs like little human beings and there is no clear sense of who is dominating whom. More than likely, most home owners are being dominated by their own animals and don't even know, so yeah, most dogs who live with owners who don't clearly define the dominate and submissive roles in a family or 'pack' relationship probably do have a stressed out dog who doesn't understand why a submissive member of the family is hugging (dominating) them. Then families wonder why 'Skippy', the friendly little doggie who 'monkey shines' everyone's leg ("ahhh, isn't that cute?") turns around a bites the family's children or one of their friends.

Everyone is a family unit needs to be dominate to the family dogs. When they aren't? You have stressed out dogs, especially if they are hugged.

Edited April 28, 2016 by connda

[connda]

This is hardly news as has been pointed out by many over the years. BTW, when I was very young I ran over to a neighbor's dog and hugged it and it bit me in the face just under my eye. I don't do it anymore.

Embrace your dog, just not literally

To Hug or Not?

Capture.JPG

I’ve been guilty myself. That picture of me and Stella is the most glaring evidence. I’m all this is great. She’s all please just let this be over soon. Look at her face, the eyes, the way she’s actually leaning away from me. Her ears are pulled back, too. That’s another sign. You don’t have to believe the picture, though. Right after that shot was taken Stella started to wiggle her way free of my loving arms.

Nobody wants to be a party pooper, but here’s the bottom line. Dogs and humans don’t exactly show affection the same way. We drape our arms around the shoulders of people we like. To a primate (including human primates) nothing says you’re special like a hug. To a dog, it can feel like a threat. Watch what happens when a dog drapes his head over the shoulders of another dog. Trouble. That’s not to say dogs don’t learn to tolerate our hugs; they do. But it doesn’t come naturally to them.

11 things humans do that dogs hate

Hugging your dog

While you might love wrapping your arms around a furry canine friend, most dogs hate hugs. We as primates think hugs are awesome and express support, love, joy and other emotions through hugs. It’s totally normal to us to wrap our arms around something and squeeze, and it only means good things. But dogs did not evolve this way. Canids don’t have arms and they don’t hug. Rather than camaraderie, if a dog places a foreleg or paw on the back of another dog, this is considered an act of dominance. No matter your intentions with hugging, a dog is hardwired to view the act of hugging as you exerting your dominance. Many dogs will tolerate it with grace — the smiling face of the family golden retriever with a child’s arms wrapped around it comes to mind. But some dogs will feel threatened, fearful, or just flat out loathe the feeling — and in fact, a child grabbing a dog for a hug is why many dog bites occur.

Excellent post. And as pointed out, hugging is a sign of dominance. The problem however isn't with the dog but the owners. I'm sure there are those out there, probably a majority, who will fall in line with the "well dominating your dog will cause it to be uncomfortable so you should refrain from doing so." However, like I asserted in the post above, every family member (pack members from your dog's point of view) should be dominate to the dogs in the family. So a hug is simply a form of dominate behaviour that your pack willingly accepts. There is no stress in submission, there is only stress when there are no clear boundaries regarding dominate/submissive roles in your family/pack unit. The author of the article, and others like it, sound like they are unable to delineated 'stressed behaviour' from submissive behaviour. My dogs are submissive to me. Most dogs in my village don't have a clear dominate/submissive relationship with their owners and probably would show clear signs of 'stress' if hugged by a family member. But there IS a difference. The article's author does not delve deeply enough to bring this to light.

By the way, this is exactly why I don't let any dog jump on me or attempt any other sign of physical dominance. If it offends my hosts, so be it. I've smacked down more than one dog in front of it's owner, most who have no control over their pets.

Edited April 28, 2016 by connda

[MiKT]

This is hardly news as has been pointed out by many over the years. BTW, when I was very young I ran over to a neighbor's dog and hugged it and it bit me in the face just under my eye. I don't do it anymore.

Embrace your dog, just not literally

To Hug or Not?

Capture.JPG

I’ve been guilty myself. That picture of me and Stella is the most glaring evidence. I’m all this is great. She’s all please just let this be over soon. Look at her face, the eyes, the way she’s actually leaning away from me. Her ears are pulled back, too. That’s another sign. You don’t have to believe the picture, though. Right after that shot was taken Stella started to wiggle her way free of my loving arms.

Nobody wants to be a party pooper, but here’s the bottom line. Dogs and humans don’t exactly show affection the same way. We drape our arms around the shoulders of people we like. To a primate (including human primates) nothing says you’re special like a hug. To a dog, it can feel like a threat. Watch what happens when a dog drapes his head over the shoulders of another dog. Trouble. That’s not to say dogs don’t learn to tolerate our hugs; they do. But it doesn’t come naturally to them.

11 things humans do that dogs hate

Hugging your dog

While you might love wrapping your arms around a furry canine friend, most dogs hate hugs. We as primates think hugs are awesome and express support, love, joy and other emotions through hugs. It’s totally normal to us to wrap our arms around something and squeeze, and it only means good things. But dogs did not evolve this way. Canids don’t have arms and they don’t hug. Rather than camaraderie, if a dog places a foreleg or paw on the back of another dog, this is considered an act of dominance. No matter your intentions with hugging, a dog is hardwired to view the act of hugging as you exerting your dominance. Many dogs will tolerate it with grace — the smiling face of the family golden retriever with a child’s arms wrapped around it comes to mind. But some dogs will feel threatened, fearful, or just flat out loathe the feeling — and in fact, a child grabbing a dog for a hug is why many dog bites occur.

Excellent post. And as pointed out, hugging is a sign of dominance. The problem however isn't with the dog but the owners. I'm sure there are those out there, probably a majority, who will fall in line with the "well dominating your dog will cause it to be uncomfortable so you should refrain from doing so." However, like I asserted in the post above, every family member (pack members from your dog's point of view) should be dominate to the dogs in the family. So a hug is simply a form of dominate behaviour that your pack willingly accepts. There is no stress in submission, there is only stress when there are no clear boundaries regarding dominate/submissive roles in your family/pack unit. The author of the article, and others like it, sound like they are unable to delineated 'stressed behaviour' from submissive behaviour. My dogs are submissive to me. Most dogs in my village don't have a clear dominate/submissive relationship with their owners and probably would show clear signs of 'stress' if hugged by a family member. But there IS a difference. The article's author does not delve deeply enough to bring this to light.

By the way, this is exactly why I don't let any dog jump on me or attempt any other sign of physical dominance. If it offends my hosts, so be it. I've smacked down more than one dog in front of it's owner, most who have no control over their pets.

Its true that dogs do need to be trained and yes dominated because that is the only way to have safe dogs and its what they want and need. But this does not go down well with Thai families, any more than trying to get a reasonable ideas across to your kids/close ones in important ideas like:

"Stop, STOP". "For the millionth time wear your bloody helmet, look at the scars on your leg from last time"!

"why are you shouting at the kids again?"

"I just don't want them to die or be hurt"

"We are all going to die tomorrow"

"I told you not to let the dog run in the street, its not safe"

"Why are you always complaining?"

"My fault again! bugger it, grumble, grumble".

There is no winning in Thailand, if you want to continue with western ideas of sensible behaviour, you have to go with the flow and do the best you can as frustrating as it will be. MPR is the only way to stay sane.