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The feeling of love a 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 even if you want to let them know you love them, there’s one practice we might want to rethink. We are all guilty of this practice too. Experts now even say it could be harmful to our four-legged friends.
Should we cuddle with our dogs?
The act we are talking about is petting a dog. But is it really that bad? Apparently, yes. And given the number of puppies in the world, many owners should hear this message.
In fact, the 2017-2018 National Pet Ownership Survey found that 48% of American households own a puppy. Another statistic may surprise you.
More dogs than ever
According to the survey, millennials (people born between 1980 and the late 1990s) are the most likely to own a dog. It’s hard to believe, but it’s true. They also spend a lot 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 on petting him. But some go even further.
Nearly a quarter of millennials say they throw 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 pamper your dog
You can take your beloved pet to a spa, specifically designed for dogs, of course. There, he will be pampered, groomed and spoiled. It’s not free, but your dog may appreciate it more than a hug.
But what about cuddles? It doesn’t seem to make much sense. For us, it’s a pleasure to be held in the arms of a loved one. And more than one dog owner would say that they are happiest when cuddling their faithful companion.
They have different needs
Remember that dogs are not people. Therefore, your pet should not be treated like a child.
Caroline Kisko from the Kennel Club reminds us that dogs should not be cuddled. “Dogs are often considered part of the family. However, they are not people and therefore may react differently to certain interactions, such as petting. This makes sense.
Signs of stress
Ms Matthews said: ‘Hugging is a normal form of social greeting for humans, but not for dogs. Subtle signs of stress can go unnoticed when you cuddle your pet. The point is to recognise when your dog is in discomfort.
Dogs show clear signs of stress when their owners hug them.
Research results
According to one expert, 81.6% of the dogs showed at least one sign of stress. However, only 7.6% of them are actually calm when hugged.
The expert was unable to determine how the dogs in the remaining 10.8% were actually feeling, but it’s likely that they are not in the best shape. Or maybe they were shy.
What do dogs mind about cuddling?
What causes dogs to show signs of stress when petting? In an article in Psychology Today, one expert explains, “Dogs are technically running animals, a term that indicates they are made to run fast.
This means that when stressed or threatened, a dog’s first defense is not its teeth, but its ability to run. Has your pet ever tried to escape from your arms? Now you know why.
If you would like to read more articles like this, we recommend visiting the Animals category.
