Do you HUG your dog? can you?

codmaster · 12-15-2011, 12:08 AM

I am curious.

I have read and heard from a number of experienced dog handlers. owners and even behaviorists that say that one should not hug your dog as it can be taken as a sign of dominance, and can even cause a negative reaction by the dog toward the hugger.

We have raised all of our numerous GSD's from a puppy (one was about 6 mo when we got her) and have always hugged our dogs and never has any of them express any displeasure with a hug or two or three.

Our current male, Baron (4yo as of Dec. 15) actually seems to like being hugged by our family members and even a few friends. He has never even attempted to pull away, much less show any negative reaction.

So how many do hug their dogs sometimes and would anyone expect any negative reaction from a dog that you raised from a puppy?

Just curious, since I have heard this from so many people.

marshies · 12-15-2011, 12:08 AM

I am curious as well. Huge fan of cuddling, but worried that it's WRONG. :O

Rahrah · 12-15-2011, 12:09 AM

Yep, I do and my pup seems to enjoy it.

robinhuerta · 12-15-2011, 12:15 AM

We can do anything we want to our dogs......some may "enjoy" certain things more than others....but all are compliant.
Cuervo (RIP) LOVED physical attention as do most of his children....

codmaster · 12-15-2011, 12:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marshies

I am curious as well. Huge fan of cuddling, but worried that it's WRONG. :O

As long as they don't protest i don't think it can be wrong to do.

qbchottu · 12-15-2011, 12:25 AM

Both the girls LOVE cuddling and hugging. Puddi will stick her head between my legs and "force" me to hug her. Wiva gets super close and snakes up my legs till I cuddle her. They want and need physical attention all the time. Whiskey is more reserved and laid back. He used to not be a hugger, but now he waits patiently every morning for his wakeup cuddle. He also loves to put his head on my chest and sleep. It calms him down when I wrap my arms around his back and chest. Both the shepherds don't care for outsider attention and hugs. They don't like strangers to get overly affectionate or touchy. Puddi is a complete attention-wh

! I've never had a non-cuddly dog and never had any overwhelming problems because of hugging.

Discoetheque · 12-15-2011, 12:28 AM

I can hug my two girls with no problems. One is a registered Therapy Dog, and the other is in-training, and being that they spend a fair amount of time in the company of toddlers and small children, I'm thankful. Discoe sometimes likes to fold her front legs under her in my lap and lay her chin vertically on my shoulder, almost like she's demanding a hug. And then when I give her one, she goes "Mmmmmmm!"

elisabeth_00117 · 12-15-2011, 12:35 AM

I can do whatever I please to my dogs and they comply; however, Stark is the cuddle bug. Zefra will squirm and try to get away after a short while. Lately though she has been more and more affectionate.

RocketDog · 12-15-2011, 12:59 AM

My previous lab was a therapy dog also, and while I'm not sure he enjoyed the hugs, I truly believe he figured out that it was a sign of affection from humans. I think he tolerated them because of that.

Rocket does not seem to mind in the least, although I'm careful and have instructed my kids to be conscientious regarding hugging, since I too have read that.

He just so darn handsome and soft.....

blehmannwa · 12-15-2011, 01:29 AM

Havoc likes hugs in the a.m. or when he's done a great thing, but he's not one to linger. Felony, the pit bull, loved to smash people that she liked. She would splay herself all over a torso and lick your face for as long as you would let her. Once my niece timed her at twenty minutes.

12-15-2011, 12:08 AM	#1 (permalink)
codmaster Crowned Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: California, US Posts: 4,767	Do you HUG your dog? can you? I am curious. I have read and heard from a number of experienced dog handlers. owners and even behaviorists that say that one should not hug your dog as it can be taken as a sign of dominance, and can even cause a negative reaction by the dog toward the hugger. We have raised all of our numerous GSD's from a puppy (one was about 6 mo when we got her) and have always hugged our dogs and never has any of them express any displeasure with a hug or two or three. Our current male, Baron (4yo as of Dec. 15) actually seems to like being hugged by our family members and even a few friends. He has never even attempted to pull away, much less show any negative reaction. So how many do hug their dogs sometimes and would anyone expect any negative reaction from a dog that you raised from a puppy? Just curious, since I have heard this from so many people.

12-15-2011, 12:08 AM	#2 (permalink)
marshies Elite Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,026	I am curious as well. Huge fan of cuddling, but worried that it's WRONG. :O __________________ Amaretto von Huerta Hof - 23.08.11, the adventure begins D.W. - Netherlands Dwarf Rabbit

12-15-2011, 12:15 AM	#4 (permalink)
robinhuerta Knighted Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Illinois Posts: 3,224	We can do anything we want to our dogs......some may "enjoy" certain things more than others....but all are compliant. Cuervo (RIP) LOVED physical attention as do most of his children.... __________________ Huerta Hof German Shepherds www.teamhuertahof.com ....where breeding is still considered an art....

12-15-2011, 12:25 AM	#6 (permalink)
qbchottu Master Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 904	Both the girls LOVE cuddling and hugging. Puddi will stick her head between my legs and "force" me to hug her. Wiva gets super close and snakes up my legs till I cuddle her. They want and need physical attention all the time. Whiskey is more reserved and laid back. He used to not be a hugger, but now he waits patiently every morning for his wakeup cuddle. He also loves to put his head on my chest and sleep. It calms him down when I wrap my arms around his back and chest. Both the shepherds don't care for outsider attention and hugs. They don't like strangers to get overly affectionate or touchy. Puddi is a complete attention-wh! I've never had a non-cuddly dog and never had any overwhelming problems because of hugging. __________________ Puddi 11/15/10 Rescue GSD/Golden Whiskey von Huerta Hof 12/20/10 WGSL GSD Wiva vom Drache Feld 2/3/11 WGSL GSD

12-15-2011, 12:28 AM	#7 (permalink)
Discoetheque Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Oak Park, MI Posts: 121	I can hug my two girls with no problems. One is a registered Therapy Dog, and the other is in-training, and being that they spend a fair amount of time in the company of toddlers and small children, I'm thankful. Discoe sometimes likes to fold her front legs under her in my lap and lay her chin vertically on my shoulder, almost like she's demanding a hug. And then when I give her one, she goes "Mmmmmmm!" __________________ Reba von Treue Freundschaft, CGC, TDI SG2 CAC Discoe vom haus Huro, BH, AD, 2/3 CD, CGC, HOT, OFA-Excellent

12-15-2011, 12:09 AM	#3 (permalink)
Rahrah Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: It's bloody hot....Australia Posts: 150	Yep, I do and my pup seems to enjoy it.

12-15-2011, 12:35 AM	#8 (permalink)
elisabeth_00117 Crowned Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Waterloo, Ontario Posts: 7,251	I can do whatever I please to my dogs and they comply; however, Stark is the cuddle bug. Zefra will squirm and try to get away after a short while. Lately though she has been more and more affectionate. __________________ Battleborn Hundesport Wild Winds Archangel Raphael "Stark", HIC (2009-04-10) Wild Winds Zephyr "Zefra" (2011-04-15) *Beau* 03/08/97 to 06/07/10

12-15-2011, 12:59 AM	#9 (permalink)
RocketDog Elite Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Eastern Washington Posts: 1,268	My previous lab was a therapy dog also, and while I'm not sure he enjoyed the hugs, I truly believe he figured out that it was a sign of affection from humans. I think he tolerated them because of that. Rocket does not seem to mind in the least, although I'm careful and have instructed my kids to be conscientious regarding hugging, since I too have read that. He just so darn handsome and soft.....

12-15-2011, 01:29 AM	#10 (permalink)
blehmannwa Master Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Seattle Posts: 778	Havoc likes hugs in the a.m. or when he's done a great thing, but he's not one to linger. Felony, the pit bull, loved to smash people that she liked. She would splay herself all over a torso and lick your face for as long as you would let her. Once my niece timed her at twenty minutes.

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