"Dogs are technically cursorial animals, which is a term that indicates that they are designed for swift running. That implies that in times of stress or threat the first line of defense that a dog uses is not his teeth, but rather his ability to run away. Behaviorists believe that depriving a dog of that course of action by immobilizing him with a hug can increase his stress level and, if the dog’s anxiety becomes significantly intense, he may bite." -Stanley Coren, PhD., DSc., FRSC

Read the full Article from Psychology Today

Dr. Hehn's Take

I can see that some dogs might be nervous around strangers and may not welcome an embrace. Maybe they don't want to be smothered or flight or flight kicks in. But...this statement that dogs don't like hugs is painting them with a pretty broad brush, wouldn't you agree? Just like people, every dog has its own personality. Just to prove my point, take a look at this article about Pets Who Need Hugs.

I will say that one important take home message from this is to be aware of dog behavior and signs of stress. As we try to communicate with our dogs or other people's dogs, we have to be in tune with their behaviors and what they may be trying to tell us in order to respect their own personal boundaries.

What do you think? Do dogs like hugs?

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