{"id":1722,"date":"2009-12-30T16:42:32","date_gmt":"2009-12-31T00:42:32","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.shibashake.com\/dog\/hug-dog-teach-your-dog-to-enjoy-hugging"},"modified":"2009-12-30T16:42:32","modified_gmt":"2009-12-31T00:42:32","slug":"hug-dog-teach-your-dog-to-enjoy-hugging","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/shibashake.com\/dog\/hug-dog-teach-your-dog-to-enjoy-hugging\/","title":{"rendered":"Dog Hug – Teach Your Dog to Enjoy Hugging"},"content":{"rendered":"

We like hugging.<\/em> <\/p>\n

We hug in greeting, and we hug in parting. We hug to show love, support, happiness, and much more.<\/p>\n

However, dogs do not have the same language for hugs that we do.<\/strong> <\/p>\n

Dogs are built differently, and communicate in a different way.<\/p>\n

\"Girl
Dog Hug – Teach Your Dog to Enjoy Hugging<\/div><\/div> <\/div><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n

Do Dogs Like Hugs?<\/h2>\n
<\/div>\n

According to experts (Turid Rugaas and Patricia McConnell), the closest thing a dog knows to a hug, is mounting or placing a paw on another dog’s neck and back. Both of these gestures can be used in play between familiar and trusted dog friends, but they can also be used for dominance,<\/a> especially between unfamiliar dogs.<\/p>\n

Therefore, when we try to hug a new or unknown dog, he may misinterpret that gesture as threatening, and will either run away, submit, or return the challenge.<\/p>\n

Many people naturally find it disturbing when dogs shy away from their touch, or worse, respond with aggression. This is not surprising, because when a person shies away from our hug or responds with violence, we can quite rightly surmise that the object of our affection, may not feel the same way as we do.<\/p>\n

However, when dogs do it, it is not<\/strong> from lack of love or dislike. The dog is just misunderstanding our gesture, because he speaks a different language than we do.<\/p>\n

My Shiba Inu used to dislike any kind of hugging, but now he tolerates it, and will sometimes even come over and ask for some hugs.<\/p>\n

\"Man
Shiba Inu and Siberian Husky enjoying a wonderful hug session with their person.<\/div><\/div> <\/div><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n

Can a Dog Learn to Like Hugs?<\/h2>\n
\"Girl
Can a Dog Learn to Like Hugs?<\/div><\/div> <\/div><\/div>\n

Most definitely!<\/em><\/strong> <\/p>\n

All we need to do, is teach him that when we hug, it is not an attempt at domination. Instead, we want to show him that hugging means something positive, including dog play, dog toys, and yummy dog treats.<\/a><\/p>\n

I start handling exercises with my dog as soon as possible. With proper positive training, we can improve both our young or older dog’s tolerance, for hugging and handling.<\/p>\n

First, I get my dog to go into a Down<\/strong> position. Then,<\/p>\n