The 10th April is ‘Hug Your Dog Day’. We all want to show our dogs how much we love them, but is your dog really enjoying those hugs?
Hugging isn’t a natural behaviour for dogs, and rather than seeing it as a sign of affection like we do, it can cause them to feel trapped and out of control. When they’re worried and we hold on to them, they don’t have the choice to move away from the situation, leaving them no option but to display other behaviours to show their discomfort. It’s important to know the signs that your dog is feeling uncomfortable, particularly if your dog is around young children, as missing those subtle signs can lead to a bite if left unnoticed.
What to look for:
Eyes - Keep an eye out for ‘Whale Eye’ where you can see the whites of your dog's eyes. Alongside ‘whale eye’, if your dog wants to avoid contact they’ll also try to look away.
Ears - The positioning of your dog’s ears can tell you a lot about how they’re feeling. If their ears are forward it’s likely they’re alert and interested, whereas ears that are back suggest that your dog is worried or uncomfortable about the situation they find themselves in.
Lip Licking / Yawning - While both of these are natural behaviours, an increase in either of these, or these behaviours occurring out of context, can suggest your dog is anxious.
Panting - Just like lip licking and yawning, panting is a normal dog behaviour, so the key here is to look for panting that occurs out of context. If your dog is hot, or has just exercised then panting is totally normal, but starting to pant for no other reason can be a sign of anxiety.
Growling or Baring Teeth - A clear sign that your dog is uncomfortable and needs some space.
It’s important never to punish your dog for showing signs of anxiety such as growling - these signs are your dog's way of telling you how they feel without having to escalate to more extreme behaviours such as biting. If you notice any of these signs, then give your dog some space and always check in to make sure your dog is enjoying any interactions with you. There are lots of other ways you can show them how much you love them instead of a hug, whether that’s a gentle stroke, tummy rubs, a massage or a tasty treat!