DO DOGS LIKE HUGS????? – let us know about your experience!
To begin with we thought this was an obvious question with an obvious answer! – You would think so!
Our immediate response was YES THEY DO!
Well, our own doggy JET THE CHIHUAHUA who is also the admin doggy for HAPPY DOGGY NEWS as some will already know love us hugging him! (or at least we think so, let’s hope we are right, otherwise poor JET is not having the time of his life as we imagine!)
However, thinking about it, he is up for a cuddle with his family but not so much with a stranger, sounds about right regarding any animal!
It’s firstly a personality thing, some of us love a cuddle, some do not and some of us are O.K. if we really know the person! Humans are often fine with a ‘time limited’ quick friendly hello hug but would we be just as fine if we were to receive a long hug from someone we didn’t know? (this thought has made us giggle as we are now imagining meeting someone for the first time and having a long hug!!!!)
Humans have evolved to be huggable physically, we walk on two legs and a hug is an easy way to show affection. Dogs on the other hand (pardon the pun!) – walk on four legs and are not adapted to the hug position. Dogs would rather sniff a bottom to get to know another dog than have a hug (usually anyway!). Humans did not evolve to be readily available for a quick bottom sniff so the cuddle works with us!
Dogs are innately adapted to self-preservation as are all animals and dogs probably find that being hugged by someone they do not know is a DOMINATING behaviour! It could feel like a stranger is trying to assert control over them!
Since ancient dog days, canines’ first instinctive line of defense has been to run away from danger. Hugging takes this primal option away and can make them feel trapped and confined. Remember when you were a kid getting hugged by that loud great aunt you’ve never met at your dad’s second cousin’s wedding? That’s kind of what your dog is feeling. Who is this? What are they doing? They want to escape too.
WE WOULD LOVE TO RECEIVE YOUR PHOTOS OF YOU CUDDLING YOUR DOGGY AND LET US KNOW WHAT YOU THINK ABOUT THEIR RESPONSES! DO THEY LOVE HUGS FROM YOU BUT NOT STRANGERS? DO THEY LOVE BEING HUGGED FOR HOURS OR DO THEY JUST NOT LIKE IT AT ALL!
WE WILL PUBLISH THEM AS WE RECEIVE OVER THE COURSE OF NEXT WEEK!
LOOKING FORWARD TO HEARING FROM YOU!
Funny for us but not funny for some…….. please get permission from the person in the photo…. we have had a few husbands not know they have been published on HAPPY DOGGY NEWS!
Rolo loves hugs when he is tired or thinks there is treats on offer! –
FIONA AND ROLO
Jeff definitely loves cuddles with everyone –
JEFF AND JEFF’S DAD
Most definitely! I suffer PTSD & Angus will always cuddle me when I get bad with it. He knows what’s happening & climbs up & hugs me tight! – CAROLYNE AND ANGUS
All 6 dogs are rescues, not all like hugs, Pippin took 6 months to desensitise and loves cuddles, Monty will come and sit on you or on your shoulders but as soon as you try to cuddle him he gets off. Saffy has loved a cuddle from day 1 and the other 3, Roxy, Skye and Charlie pull away from cuddles but love a fuss.
JILL AND MONTY
Zeus loves a cuddle, especially with his dad. Zeus will harass you several times a day for a cuddle #MyBoys –
zEUS AND DAD
My Millie loves hugs but only on her terms! – love Mum MARILYN
Dogs definitely love cuddles!
My boy digs is always happy/ready to have hugs especially from his loved ones, also when he can see someone (especially family members) upset he’s straight there nudging them with his nose,gives a lil ear lick and places his head on them for a hug. Dogs are really special and a huge part of the family
My boy digs is always happy/ready to have hugs especially from his loved ones, also when he can see someone (especially family members) upset he’s straight there nudging them with his nose,gives a lil ear lick and places his head on them for a hug. Dogs are really special and a huge part of the family! – EMMA WITH DIGBY
Absolutely. They love hugs n cuddles x
– LISA WITH MR. SHELBY
I think dogs NEED LOVE AND HUGS!
– CLAIRE with our own doggy’s girlfriend BAILEY
ALWAYS!
– Darren with CHARLIE
Mylo loves his cuddles 24/7 and yes all dogs love cuddles just as much as humans, a dogs love is unconditional and forever!
– GAZ AND HIS BEST FRIEND MYLO
All 6of our dogs are rescues, not all like hugs,Pippin took 6 months to desensitise and loves cuddles, Monty will come and sit on you or on your shoulders but as soon as you try to cuddle him he gets off, Saffy has loved a cuddle from day 1 and the other 3 ,Roxy Skye and Charlie pull away from cuddles but love a fuss
My millie loves hugs but only on her terms 😁 from marilyn Griffiths xx
Hi Marilyn. I will publish this to the post and find a lovely photo of Millie. ♥️ Alison