Hugging Your Dog Stresses it Out

[Species8472]

Fact: People are annoyed by unsolicited hugs, too.

I know I am. Dogs have personalities just like people. My 16 year old son doesn't like hugs and his face reflects this but it doesn't stress him out. It's like brussel sprouts - a distasteful requirement imposed by mom but hardly stressful for a well adjusted individual.

[MikePal]

The intelligence scale is dismissed by serious researchers

When it comes to dog behavior specialists you will always find 'serious researchers' who disagree with other 'serious researchers' ....arrogance seems to be a prerequisite in that field.

[welsh]

Oh, look.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/...ogs-hate-hugs/

[MikePal]

So it would seem that those that dismissed it, thinking it was faulty 'study', misunderstood the intent of his observations.

The problem here is that what's being reported as a "study" is, in fact, an op-ed written in the magazine Psychology Today by a single researcher.

"This is a set of casual observations," Stanley Coren, the retired University of British Columbia professor who penned the column, told The Post. He reiterated that his data collection wasn't part of a peer-reviewed study.

Coren hopes some other scientist will take his idea and run with it, using the untapped online photo dataset to perform a more thorough study fit for publication. But, he added: "I've been retired since 2007. I wasn't going to go open up my old lab just to do this."

[seabast]

Actually my dog doesn't like hugs. He will walk away and then come right back sit down and lean on you but doesnt like hugs. This dog is at my feet at all times when im home and sleeps in the bed with us. Drives the girls nuts as they love to hug him but no I would not say he is a "hugger". And he is beyond attached and devoted to us. Sometimes I think too attached.

My dog is not a hugger easier, likes to be touch but to be hugged. I think she just needs her space, and so do I....

[welsh]

So it would seem that those that dismissed it, thinking it was faulty 'study', misunderstood the intent of his observations.

Well...

His "study" is not a study: it uses a non-random sample and incorrect methods, and is published in a popular magazine.

Which is exactly what the WaPo thing points out.

I know what his intentions were: to remind people that dogs don't like to be grabbed and squeezed. I didn't dismiss that idea -- because it's true. I dismissed the description of his piece as a "study." And apparently, he would agree.

[MikePal]

... but he's still just a guy.

Turns out he's not just a guy...he's a 'retired' guy...with lots of time on his hands.

Maybe he tried to hug his dog and was rebuffed, then pondered that the dog must not like be hugged, rather than face the possibility his dog just didn't like be hugged by him.

[werner.reiche]

Oh, look.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/...ogs-hate-hugs/

A lot of the crap that gets 'published' on the internet is just click bait junk. If the guy wrote an article that says "dogs like being hugged" no one would read it. But "dogs hate hugs" - everyone has to read it and when everyone disagrees with it, the writer has his article - no matter how wrong/dumb it is - going viral.

It's not even junk science - it's not science at all - it's junk journalism - a guy writing an article that will get people's attention - pretty much on par with the checkout line tabloids, not to be taken seriously by anyone.

[bellerivercrossbowhunter]

When I trained my black lab female in basic obedience the obedience trainer told us to never do the following to our dogs because it could lead to elevated dominance issues & a general lack of respect from the dog toward the trainer or family member.

No hugs
No mindless petting
No talking to the dog like its a baby
Never ever get down on the ground with your dog always stay above the dogs eyes.
Never let any other human pet your dog
Never let a dog you don't know near your dog (people insist on letting their dogs come close to my dog when out on walks) I tell them to back off. This is a key point to protect you & your dog & reduce costly vet bills....
When giving praise never over do it. A simple "good" & re-peat the command (eg: "good down").
No treats for training.
Never show the dog that your angry @ them. Quickly correct the behavior & move on.

Did I listen to him?

Well on most points except for the petting. I do give her the occasional scratch on the head.

My wife & kids would not follow the rules & to a certain degree she does not respect them. When she was a pup she drove them crazy when I wasn't home. To this day she only listens to me & listens very well. All I say to them is I told you so....

[welsh]

Did I listen to him?

God, I hope not.