Most people think that hugging is the best way to show love. We use it to greet old friends, comfort sad family members, and show our partners we care. We want to hug and squeeze our dogs right away when we see them because their soulful eyes and soft fur make us feel good. They might have yawned a lot or licked their lips right after you let go. A hug is a sign of warmth to us, but your dog might see it as a sign of stress, restriction, or even danger.

We look into the evolutionary psychology of dogs in this deep dive to answer the age-old question: Do dogs like being hugged, or are they just “taking one for the team”?

Knowing the Difference Between Dogs and People

To understand how dogs and people see hugs differently, we need to know the biological differences between our species. People are primates. Primates can bond with each other by hugging and holding on to each other. A baby chimpanzee holding onto its mother or two friends hugging each other are good examples. It releases oxytocin, which is also known as the “cuddle hormone,” in our brains, which makes us feel safe and loved.

This is a scientific word for animals that mostly run to stay safe. A dog needs to be able to move around freely to stay alive from an evolutionary point of view. When you hug a dog, you are stopping them from running away.

The Quiet Language: How Dogs Ask You to Stop

Dogs can’t talk, so they have to use a complicated system of body language to show when they’re upset. Sadly, many dog owners mix up “tolerance” with “enjoyment.” If your dog doesn’t move, they might not like the hug. They might just be going along with things.

When you hug your dog next, look for these little “cut-off” signals to see how they really feel:

1. The “Whale Eye”: This is when a dog turns its head away but keeps its eyes on you, showing the white parts (sclera) of its eyes. It’s a classic sign that you’re worried.
2. Yawning and licking their lips: These are “displacement behaviors” that your dog uses to calm down when they’re stressed, but only when they’re tired or have just eaten.
3. Ears Down: If a dog’s ears are pinned back against its head, it means the dog is scared or is giving in.
4. Not looking at them directly: Dogs see looking someone in the eye as a challenge. If they turn away from you while you’re hugging them, it’s because they think things are too tense and want to calm them down.
5. The “Stiff” Body: If your dog becomes stiff as a statue when you hug them, they are probably holding their breath and waiting for the “threat” to go away.

Why Dogs Think Hugs Are Bad

It sounds mean to call a hug a “threat,” but in the animal world, putting a limb over the neck or shoulders of another animal is often a sign of dominance or a sign that an attack is about to happen.

1. Getting too close to someone

Just like people, dogs have a “bubble.” In dog culture, leaning over them is a sign of aggression, even if they like being close to you. When you lean over their shoulders, you act like a dominant dog that wants to take charge.

2. The Reflex Trap

As was said before, dogs are “fight or flight” animals. They can’t get away when you hold them close. They might have to use the “fight” option if a dog feels trapped and stressed enough. This is why a lot of kids get bitten by dogs when they try to hug them too much.

3. Too much information for the senses

Dogs’ skin is very sensitive, and they have a very strong sense of smell. When you hug someone, your face is very close to theirs, and they might smell things like perfume or laundry detergent, which can be too strong for their noses.

The Exceptional Case

Do dogs like being hugged? yes Some dogs have been around people so much that they have learned to associate hugs with good things like treats, belly rubs, or high-pitched praise. These dogs might even lean on you or “nudge” your arms to get closer.

But these dogs are not the norm; they are the exception. If a child or stranger tries to hug a dog that loves to be hugged, the dog might be scared.

There are many ways to connect without hugging tightly.

How to Show Your Dog You Care More

If we can’t hug our furry friends, how do we show them we care? The most important thing is to speak their language.

• The Chest Scratch: Most dogs would rather have their chest or the base of their neck scratched than their head or a hug all over.
• The “Lean”: When your dog leans on your legs, they are showing that they trust you a lot. You can show your thanks by gently stroking their back.
• Time to have fun: A hug is not as good for a dog to bond with you as a game of fetch or tug-of-war. It uses their natural instincts to get them to work together.
• The “Side-by-Side”: Dogs love to sit on the couch with you while you read or watch tv. they like the feeling of you being there.

How to Teach Kids About Dog Boundaries

This is likely the most important part of the speech. Kids want to hug animals because they see it in movies and cartoons. But kids are also the most likely to get “defensive” bites.

Teach kids to:

• Ask for permission: Don’t go near a dog that is eating, sleeping, or playing with a toy.

• Don’t hug the dog; instead, show them how to pet its side or chest.
• Watch the tail and ears: Show them how to tell the difference between a dog that is happy and one that is stressed.