New Research Suggests Dogs Don't Think of Hugs the Same Way That Humans Do
New research suggests that when it comes to hugging, we see the act of affection very differently than our dogs do.
The new research, recently published in Applied Animal Behaviour Science, found that dogs' body language tells a completely different story when photographed while being hugged by a human.
It's essential to look at previous studies to understand the new research. According to Psychology Today, in 2016, Dr. Stanley Coren, an expert in dog intelligence and behavior, looked at 250 still photos of dogs that came up when searching "hug dog" on images found on Flickr and Google Images. He used these photos to try to understand a dog's body language and stress signs when being hugged.
He reported that of the images, 81.6 percent of the dogs being hugged showed signs of stress and discomfort.
The signs of stress and anxiety in dogs ranged from showing their teeth, turning their heads, "closing or partially closing the eyes, lowering the ears or slicking them against the side of the head, lip licking, half-moon eye, and several others."
The New Study on Dogs and Hugs Expanded on Previous Research
The new study, published in March 2024, took Dr. Coren's work one step further and ran a similar look for body language and signs of stress but with video this time.
"This gave them a much broader range of signals that they could interpret — such as panting, blinking, or biting, which are easily detectable from movements and don't show up well in a still photograph," Dr. Coren explained in Psychology Today.
The new team looked at the 80 most popular videos on media platforms that showed people hugging their dogs, and the videos were scored the same way as the initial study.
It also found an even more nuanced look at whether dogs like hugs, further proof that dogs probably don't like our hugs.
According to Psychology Today's breakdown of the new study, research reported:
- 68 percent of the dogs avoided eye contact and turned their heads
- 44 percent licked their lips or nose
- 60 percent flattened their eyes
- 81 percent blinked their eyes
- 43 percent panted
- 68 percent of cases saw the dog nip or bite at the human
So, if we were to go by the findings of this study and the one previously conducted, dogs don't like our hugs. And in some cases, they might really hate our hugs because it makes them very stressed out.
But it's important to note that the initial research was more observational and conducted by one person. But the newest one does add some more questions on if dogs really hate hugs.
Signs of Stress and Anxiety in Dogs
According to Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, there are some clear warning signs a dog will give if they're feeling anxious.
"Dogs are very expressive, so there is much to learn by observing their body language and behavior. An anxious dog may pant, pace, tremble, drool, withdraw from its owner, or hide," they explain.
The vet experts also explain that aggressive or irritable behavior like barking or growling might be present, too.
"The dog’s tail may be low or tucked, ears back, eyes dilated or showing lots of white around them (whale eye). Their body carriage may be low and their manner hesitant or avoidant."
It's also important to take your pup to the vet if they're experiencing anxiety since they may be able to help, too.
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