YorkieTalk.com Forums - Yorkshire Terrier Community - View Single Post - Is it true that dogs view hugging as aggressive dominating behavior?

yorkietalkjilly · 03-10-2014, 05:19 PM

I've had dogs around, especially large, dominant dogs, who don't care for hugging and are not very comfortable with it, though most that don't like it still tolerate it, unless it's prolonged. Most bigger dogs seem to get somewhat antsy if you sustain a long hug. I think since their species isn't a hugging type species, many of them might see it as an attempt to control or dominate them at first or if done by a stranger to them. But once your dog trusts you, they will accept virtually any behavior from you just because they love you. My little Tibbe tends to not like a long hug but will lie for hours with his back touching me. I think a dog lying touching a human with his back, a very trusting gesture for them, is the same as a hug to a dog.

Here is an article I have read that goes into depth on the subject.

ClickerSolutions Training Articles -- Hugging Your Dog

03-10-2014, 05:19 PM	#3
yorkietalkjilly ♥ Love My Tibbe! ♥ Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: D/FW, Texas Posts: 22,140	I've had dogs around, especially large, dominant dogs, who don't care for hugging and are not very comfortable with it, though most that don't like it still tolerate it, unless it's prolonged. Most bigger dogs seem to get somewhat antsy if you sustain a long hug. I think since their species isn't a hugging type species, many of them might see it as an attempt to control or dominate them at first or if done by a stranger to them. But once your dog trusts you, they will accept virtually any behavior from you just because they love you. My little Tibbe tends to not like a long hug but will lie for hours with his back touching me. I think a dog lying touching a human with his back, a very trusting gesture for them, is the same as a hug to a dog. Here is an article I have read that goes into depth on the subject. ClickerSolutions Training Articles -- Hugging Your Dog __________________ Jeanie and Tibbe One must do the best one can. You may get some marks for a very imperfect answer: you will certainly get none for leaving the question alone. C. S. Lewis Last edited by yorkietalkjilly; 03-10-2014 at 05:20 PM.