A vet has warned how a ‘hug’ can make a dog feel, and it’s not necessarily what you would expect
A vet has warned that it could be a bad idea to ‘hug’ your dog, as it could have the opposite effect on them to what us humans feel.
There’s nothing nicer than coming home from a long day at work to your furry friend scurrying as fast as they can to the door to greet you.
Your natural reaction is usually to bend down and give them a big cuddle, and whilst it might look like they’re loving every second – it might not be what they’re really feeling.
Dog experts are now warning owners to find different ways of showing their love.
According to a vet who spoke to Psychology Today, a hug can actually make a dog feel quite anxious and trapped – this is because a dog’s primary defence is to run away.
Psychologist Stanley Coren explained: “Yes, your dog may leap into your lap and kiss your face, cuddle against your neck, and beg you to rub her belly.
“But that’s not ‘hugging.’
“In my experience, many dogs don’t enjoy having a human move one or two arms around their shoulders and squeeze.
“That’s the hug we are talking about.”
Behaviour Vets author Lauren Novack believes dogs who do enjoy hugs are a complete ‘exception’, reports Daily Paws.
She said: “When dogs don’t like something and politely ask for space over and over again to no avail, they’re likely to escalate their communication to growling or biting.
“I don’t want dogs to be stressed, and I don’t want humans to get bitten. For most dogs, hugs are stressful.”
Stanley previously analysed 250 photos of dogs being given hugs, and he found that in 80% of the images, the dogs showed signs of looking stressed.
And he noted that this can be indicated by a dog lowers their ears, closing their eyes, or turning away from the source of anxiety.
And the psychologist has now revealed some much better alternatives.
He said: “The clear recommendation to come out of this research is to save your hugs for your two-footed family members and lovers.
“It is clearly better from the dog’s point of view if you express your fondness for your pet with a pat, a kind word, and maybe a treat.”
And the last thing we want to do is upset our furry babies, so we’re definitely going to take this advice on board!
Christie Brinkley Diagnosed With Heartbreaking Condition at 70, Shares Tragic Update
Supermodel Christie Brinkley disclosed her recent health ordeal in a candid post. At 70 years old, she revealed she underwent a procedure following a casual doctor’s visit that that led to her being diagnosed with a serious condition.
A chance encounter that proved miraculous.
© christiebrinkley / Instagram
Brinkley wasn’t at the doctor’s office for herself, but for her daughter. However, a small concern caught the doctor’s attention. «The Doctor was looking at each freckle with a magnifying glass… it wasn’t my appointment, so I wasn’t going to say anything, but at the VERY end I asked if he could just look at a little tiny dot I could feel as I applied my foundation,» she recounted. The doctor acted swiftly, performing a biopsy on the spot, which led to her diagnosis of skin cancer.
© christiebrinkley / Instagram
Brinkley expressed relief in her post, saying, «The good news for me is we caught the basal cell Carcinoma early.» She praised her medical team for their expert care, likening their skill to that of high-fashion tailors, «And I had great Doctors that removed the cancer and stitched me up to perfection like an haute couture Dior…»
She’s ready to make lifestyle changes and urges her fans to do the same.
© christiebrinkley / Instagram
Following her diagnosis, Brinkley has decided to make significant changes to her daily routine to better protect her skin. She emphasized the importance of sun protection to her followers, stating, «The good news for you is that all of this can be avoided by being diligent with your sun protection!» She plans to be more vigilant, using sunscreen, wearing protective clothing, and undergoing regular skin check-ups.
Brinkley concluded by expressing gratitude to the doctors and reminding everyone to prioritize their health check-ups. This health update comes shortly after Brinkley celebrated a milestone birthday, marking the beginning of a new chapter focused on wellness and prevention.
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