Do dogs need hugs?

An interesting thing has developed with Misha lately. I haven't tried to teach her how to hug. Yet, it appears she has picked it up on her own. She will do it on command now.

What's interesting is within the last two weeks, she has come up on my lap and given me a hug without me asking. She has decided that she wants one and puts her paw on my arm and her head on my shoulder. It's the sweetest thing.

Do you think dogs need hugs like humans do?

 

I think they do. Every dog I have ever had has done something similar so that leads me to believe maybe they do. Thinking about it they do sleep curled together and you do see some that sleep with one leg over the other. I guess it is a form of comfort for them like it is us. I know my sons service dog does give him hugs when he feels he needs them. I will admit his dog is better able to read my son than most people are. I never gave it too much though and it must be a natural action for them just like dogs will lick each others faces as a form of affection not just cleaning. They must get something out of it also just like we do. I hug all of mine so I guess I will keep doing it since they seem to like it and I like it also.

 

Oh yes they do! Pups loves hugging especially after you have given him a bath (I don't know why!) I think he knows he is clean or something. Plus, he knows the word kiss- so when we tell him to kiss, he licks us on the cheek. And then when we hug pups, he puts his mouth of our shoulders just like humans do...It's so amazing how dogs are so close to human beings!

 

Our dog just come up on my lap and seem want to be hug while I am talking to him about how he was feeling because it was bit hot. So, I hug him and tell him he can sit beside me with the fan.
Yes, they need hugs!

 

Unfortunately my Homer hates being hugged. He pushes me as far away as possible with his little paws whenever I try to hold him in my arms. I guess he is too manly to be hugged, lol
He likes to be stroked though.

 

I don know if they need hugs per se, attention though obviously. My dogs dont really do hugs that often (only toby when he gets scolded from dad crawls up on me and hugs me) but mine need to be held pretty much at all times.

 

It depends on the dog. Some of them do not mind a gentle hug but other really do not like it at all. One of our dogs was very gentle and loved attention whether it be hugs or just patting. The other one was rather more aggressive. She did not mind if I hugged her but if you tried to hug her too hard then she would bite. I knew how to hug her so it was OK but my mum never really got the idea.

 

Yes, I have seen that happen with me before. Some dogs will walk up and put one or both paws on your shoulder. They love attention, especially if you hug or pet them back.

 

I think that dogs like humans need physical contact. I guess its not just a way for them to express their need for support but also that they are showing it. I know my chow will always go to members of the family the moment they enter the living room, rub her face on our leg and then sit at our feet.

 

Yes, dogs, humans and any other animal react similarly. I have seen cats do what you described and saw people do what I described.

 

Dogs need human contact but I wouldn't not exactly put a term on it. I love carrying my dogs. Sometimes, I would just pick them up and carry them close to my chest and dance a little like how mommies do with their babies. It's pretty obvious that they like it because they'd rest their heads on my shoulder and wag their tails while they're being carried. And yes, I admit that I am guilty of babying the puppies.

After trying what I did, my niece says that she now understands why I like this. She says it's therapeutic ^_^.

 

I'd like to carry my Homer too from time to time. I'm sure it would be nice to hold him - but he really, really hates it. I don't understand why, small dogs usually like to be carried, right? He lets me do it only when I'm walking him and the pavement is wet.