One of the most common ways we have to show affection to our dog is by hugging it. However, experts have long claimed that this animal is not a great friend to The hugs, because they make them feel “imprisoned”, causing them stress and discomfort. A study recently carried out by the University of British Columbia (Canada) explains why this rejection.
Just a few weeks ago the media echoed the results obtained by a study carried out at said university, published in the journal Psychology Today. A team of professionals led by the teacher and expert in canine psychology Stanley Coren, has made an in-depth analysis of 250 photographs of people hugging dogs, acquired through Flickr and Google.
According to these specialists, 82% of the dogs in these photographs reflected some gestures that showed that they felt upsetsuch as turning the head, partially closing the eyes, showing the teeth, throwing the ears back, yawning, or raising the legs. However, 8% of dogs seemed happy and 10% were indifferent.
Coren offers us a scientific argument that explains all this: “Dogs are technically animals that are designed to keep in constant motion. This implies that in stressful or threatening situations, the first line of defense for them is not to use their teeth, but his ability to flee. Obviously, depriving a dog of its only escape route by restraining it with a hug can increase its stress level. If the level of anxiety in a canine is sufficient, it can even bite ”, indicates the expert in canine psychology.
However, as the study reveals, not all dogs feel the same rejection of hugs. To find out how our dog feels about this gesture, we will have to observe if it presents any of the signs of discomfort mentioned above. If so, it is best if we express our affection through caresses, food and kind words.