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The feeling of love your dog gives you when you walk out the door after a hard day is worth its weight in gold. It’s an experience everyone should have, it’s an amazing feeling.
But as much as you want to show them that you love them, there is one practice that perhaps we should reconsider. Also, we are all guilty of this practice. In fact, experts now say it could even be harmful to our four-legged friends.
Should we hug our dogs?
The gesture we are talking about is that of cuddling your dog. But is it really that bad? Well, apparently it is. And considering the number of puppies in the world, many owners need to hear this news.
In fact, the 2017-2018 National Pet Ownership Survey found that 48 percent of U.S. households own a puppy. Another statistic might surprise you as well.
More dogs than ever
According to the survey, millennials (people born between 1980 and the end of 1990) are the most likely to own a dog. It’s hard to believe, but it’s true. Plus, they spend far more money on their dogs than previous generations of pet lovers. If the experts are right, it’s certainly better to spend money on a new bed for your dog than to cuddle him. However, some take it a step further.
Apparently, nearly a quarter of millennials have thrown parties for their pets. In addition, many people take their companions on vacation. There are even dog-friendly hotels that offer five-star service for your pet.
Other ways to get pampered
You can take your beloved pet to a spa, specially designed for dogs, of course. There he will be pampered, groomed and showered with attention. It’s not free, but your dog may appreciate it more than a hug.
But what about cuddling? It doesn’t seem to make much sense. For us, being held by a loved one is a pleasure. And more than one dog owner would say they are happiest when they are cuddling their faithful companion.
They have different needs
Remember that dogs are not people. So your pet should not be treated like a child.
Caroline Kisko, of the Kennel Club, reminds us not to cuddle dogs. “Dogs are often considered part of the family. However, they are not human and therefore may react differently to certain interactions, such as cuddling.” Makes sense.
Signs of stress
Matthews said, “A hug is a normal form of social greeting for humans, but not for a dog. Subtle signs of stress can go unnoticed when you hug your pet. This can cause a negative reaction… It’s all about knowing when your dog is uncomfortable.
Dogs show clear signs of stress when they are held in their owner’s arms.
Research findings
According to one expert, 81.6 percent of dogs showed at least one sign of stress. On the other hand, only 7.6 percent of them are actually calm when they are hugged.
The expert couldn’t determine how the dogs were actually feeling in the remaining 10.8 percent, but it’s a safe bet that they weren’t at their best. Or maybe they were shy.
What bothers dogs about cuddling?
What causes dogs to show signs of stress in cuddling? In an article in Psychology Today, an expert explains, “Dogs are technically running animals, a term that indicates they are designed to run fast.
This means that when stressed or threatened, a dog’s first defense is not its teeth, but its ability to run away. Has your pet ever tried to escape from your arms? Now you know why.
If you would like to read more articles similar to this one, we recommend you check out the Animals category.
