I’m a dog. I hate hugs. Get over it!
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Dr. Pippa Elliott BVMS, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Dr Pippa Elliott BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in companion animal practice. In 1987 she graduated from the University of Glasgow, with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She works at Blythwood Vets and the People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA). Pippa is an advocate of Fear-Free Practice, an animal addict, and a veterinary writer. She is also w...
Veterinarian
UPDATED: Mar 24, 2024
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We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about pet insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything pet insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by pet insurance experts.
UPDATED: Mar 24, 2024
Pet Insurance U receives compensation from the third parties included on this site. This includes payment for clicks from our site to insurance providers’ sites and quote requests generated. Our rankings and reviews are not affected by payments from the insurance companies. The compensation we receive allows the site to be free and regularly updated. Our goal is to review every pet insurance provider, but not all companies are listed on the site.
And many of the companies we review do not pay us anything. We simply rate, compare and review their plan because we feel it will be valuable to you. Our reviews are guaranteed to be unbiased, professional and advertising compensation does not influence rankings.
On This Page
Some animal studies are lame, like the one that found horses prefer bananas over carrots. Some are inane, like the one that discovered coyotes would indeed kill pet cats they encountered outside.
And still, others are not studies at all, but rather one man’s opinion after surfing the internet long enough to look at 250 different random photos.
The man, in this case, is a guy named Stanley Coren, Ph.D., who happens to be a former University of British Columbia psychology professor and author of a few dog-related books.
So yeah, he has some credibility behind his name. But the credibility of his “study,” which was basically a blog post on Psychology Today, is a different matter.
What The ‘Study’ Entailed…
The guy randomly searched for and then looked at 250 photos of people hugging dogs on Google and Flickr. His research complete, he put forth the conclusion that dogs hate hugs.
In summarizing the data, Coren said the internet is stocked with tons of photos of “happy people” giving hugs to “what appear to be unhappy dogs.”
Signs Dogs Hate Hugs
Coren said 81.6 percent of the photos he looked at featured hugged pooches showing signs of distress. Signs of distress in dogs can (but did not necessarily) include:
- Baring their teeth
- Lashing out
- Turning away from what’s bothering them
- Closing their eyes, at least partially
- Opening their eyes wide enough to show the whites in a half-moon shape
- Lowering their ears against their head
- Licking their lips
- Yawning
- Raising a paw
Biting you is another way a dog can show displeasure, he said. And guess what else Coren disclosed? Most facial dog bites in children occur right after the children had been hugging the dog!
Read more:
Now, it wouldn’t have anything at all to do with the fact that the child’s face might be about two centimeters from the dog’s mouth. It must have been that god-forsaken hug!
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Photo Session Hugging Your Dog?
Just like forcing your face next to a dog’s mouth could result in a facial dog bite, forcing your dog to sit posed for a camera while a potentially unfamiliar person snaps a pic could result in a dog being distressed.
My favorite family portrait was taken by a photographer we had never met before. It includes two of my dogs, one of which has his eyes open wide enough as if they’re about to explode.
For the record, no one is hugging him. His head also looks 30 times larger than the entire rest of the family put together, but we’re not sure if that was just a weird camera angle or is yet another sign of complete distress?
Coren also mentioned how dogs are “cursorial animals,” or those designed for rapid running. If you put them in a place they feel trapped, like a hug, they’re likely to get stressed out.
Does that mean if you put them in a place they feel trapped, like in front of a stranger targeting them with a camera, they’re also likely to get stressed out?
Dog Owners and Others Bite Back
Many dog owners heartily disagreed with Coren’s assumption, including those who spoke out online in response to a fun Dogs Hate Hugs infographic.
A former professor of ecology and evolutionary biology Marc Bekoff, Ph.D., disagreed enough with the conclusion to write his own Psychology Today blog post. Bekoff basically said all dogs are different.
Some may be love sponges who adore being hugged, while others may respond with that facial biting stuff.
He said to make sure you know the dog before you hug, and skip it if you’re unsure of how the dog will react. But he also said much more research and information would be required before someone proclaim “Dogs hate hugs” across the board.
That brings us to the last question. Why? Why on earth do we need more research on dog hugging? Perhaps for the same reason, someone poured thousands of dollars into a study to find out that coyotes kill cats.
Or that horses, deep in their hearts, are yearning for bananas when we so unthinkingly hand them a carrot.
Hope you enjoyed this fun infographic! Learn tips and tricks to save money on pet care by reviewing Healthy Paws Pet Insurance, the sponsor of this infographic and the highest-rated pet insurance portal online.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is it true that dogs hate hugs?
According to a study by Stanley Coren, Ph.D., analyzing photos of people hugging dogs, he concluded that 81.6% of the photos showed signs of distressed dogs. However, opinions on this vary among dog owners, and individual dogs may have different preferences.
What signs indicate that a dog may dislike hugs?
Signs of distress in dogs, as suggested by Coren, could include avoiding eye contact, turning the head away, lowering ears, and licking lips. However, it’s essential to consider that dogs have individual personalities, and these signs may not universally apply.
Can hugging a dog lead to aggressive behavior?
Coren mentioned that facial bites in children often occur after hugging a dog. It’s crucial to be cautious and aware of a dog’s body language to avoid potentially triggering aggressive reactions.
Do all dogs dislike hugs?
No, dogs have unique personalities, and individual preferences vary. Some dogs may enjoy hugs and physical affection, while others may feel uncomfortable. It’s essential to understand and respect each dog’s comfort level.
How should I approach hugging a dog?
It’s advisable to observe the dog’s body language and signs of comfort or discomfort. If a dog shows signs of distress, it’s best to avoid hugging. Always ask the owner for permission before attempting to hug their dog.
Can forcing a dog into a photo session cause distress?
Yes, just like hugging, forcing a dog to pose for a photo could lead to distress. Dogs may feel uncomfortable in unfamiliar situations, and it’s essential to prioritize their well-being.
Are there any studies supporting the idea that dogs hate hugs?
The study mentioned by Coren involved analyzing photos rather than conducting a scientific study. Other experts, like Marc Bekoff, have emphasized that dogs’ preferences for physical contact can vary, and more research is needed for conclusive statements.
How can I ensure my dog is comfortable with physical contact?
Pay attention to your dog’s body language, respect their boundaries, and gradually introduce physical contact. Positive reinforcement and observing your dog’s reactions will help you understand their comfort level.
Can hugging a dog lead to behavioral issues?
While there’s no universal answer, forcing physical contact on a dog that dislikes it may lead to stress or anxiety. It’s crucial to establish trust and positive associations with human touch rather than forcing unwanted interactions.
What should I do if my dog dislikes hugs?
Respect your dog’s preferences and find alternative ways to express affection, such as gentle petting or playing. Understanding and accommodating your dog’s comfort level is key to a positive human-dog relationship.
Enter your ZIP code below to view companies that have cheap pet insurance rates.
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Dr. Pippa Elliott BVMS, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Dr Pippa Elliott BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in companion animal practice. In 1987 she graduated from the University of Glasgow, with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She works at Blythwood Vets and the People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA). Pippa is an advocate of Fear-Free Practice, an animal addict, and a veterinary writer. She is also w...
Veterinarian
We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about pet insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything pet insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by pet insurance experts.