Nothing strengthens your relationship with your dog like a passionate hug. Dogs and people both have a primal need for touch, whether it’s for comforting us during a storm or spooning us while we sleep. Petting our furry friends has health advantages for both of us because it causes the release of the “happy hormone” oxytocin in both humans and dogs. Beyond the science behind why we need to cuddle, however, we cuddle because it feels good. You’ll be able to express your love for your best friend by knowing the benefits of cuddling and how to do it in a way that is kind to your dog. Here’s how to cuddle a dog the right way:
How do you know if your dog wants to be cuddled?
Numerous studies indicate that people enjoy petting and playing with dogs, which is good for their mental health.
But it’s not always clear whether dogs, in turn, want to be cuddled. Stanley Coren, a canine psychology expert, reviewed photos available online of people hugging their dogs to assess the dogs’ body language cues. As Coren reports in Psychology Today, 81.6 percent of the s showed dogs experiencing discomfort, stress, and anxiety.
This jibes with past research showing humans, especially young children, are terrible at interpreting dog body language, leading to potentially dangerous interactions. A 2018 study found that 53 percent of three-year-old children mistook aggressive dog behavior as signs that the dog was happy.
Knowing your dog’s body language and being able to read the environment well are essential for predicting how they will react when you touch them, according to Bernal.
Here are some general guidelines to remember:
1. Allow the dog to approach you or get the owner’s consent.
When they want to be petted, dogs will approach you or wait for you to approach them, according to Bonk.
If the dog is unfamiliar to you, Pankratz emphasizes that it’s imperative to let the dog initiate contact.
Ask the dog’s owner for permission before approaching and interacting with the dog, advises Pankratz.
2. Assess the dog’s body language
Reading a dog’s behavior is essential to figuring out whether or not they are excited for cuddle time, according to Bernal.
The following body language cues could suggest that a dog is welcoming of pets:
Some puppies even nudge or gently converse with their pet parent to express their desire for more of those delightful pats, according to Bernal.
But it’s also easy to misinterpret some of these behaviors. According to Pankratz, a wagging tail indicates that the dog is feeling emotional and eager to proceed; depending on the situation, it may be fearful or happy.
Instead of the tail, Pankratz asserts that “the facial features and body position are more valuable to determine a dog’s emotional state.”
Please be alert for signs that a dog is tense and give them some room. These signs include:
When it comes to unfamiliar dogs, exercise even more caution. Dog lovers may automatically reach out to strange dogs, but this is a risky tactic.
In some cases, Pankratz claims, “you’ve reached your hand into the dog’s space without fully determining their comfort or consent to the interaction.”
She continues, “An alternative strategy would be to approach the dog from a distance in a nonthreatening manner, frequently turned to the side and knelt down.”
Instead of focusing directly on them, tilt your head slightly to the right. Similarly, keep your hand close to your body rather than extending it so that a dog can sniff or touch it.
These actions may indicate that a strange dog is willing to interact with you:
3. Decide if the dog likes the cuddle — and re-assess.
Although the dog may have accepted your touch, you should still pay attention to their body language to determine whether your actions are pleasing or upsetting.
“It is safe to assume they are completely content if their eyelids are drooping in a state of bliss, their body is relaxed and molded into yours,” Bernal says.
“There may be other considerations which they are worried about if they are tense, nervous, or showing signs of aggression with a grumbling growl or the visual appearance of their teeth,” she explains.
In essence, a pat is similar to a handshake in that you must interpret body language to know when to end the handshake and move on. If you don’t, it can get awkward. The same goes for dog cuddles.
Petting consent tests can help gauge a dog’s response, too, Pankratz says. All you need to do for the test is to:
A “yes” would entail demonstrating a clear desire to speak with you once more. For instance, they approach you, lean against you, or rub up against you. The dog might move away or remain still as a “no,” for example.
According to experts, knowing when your dog wants to be by themselves is just as important as knowing when they want to cuddle.
Why Are Some Dogs Not Affectionate?
Don’t take it personally if you feel your dog isn’t affectionate toward you. Its likely not about you at all. Numerous factors contribute to dogs’ lack of affection. First off, if your dog was adopted, it’s possible that his previous owners neglected or even abused him. If so, your dog might struggle with trust or even be afraid of people.
Additionally, like some people, your dog might appreciate his own space. Not everyone enjoys a lot of physical closeness. Both animals and people have different attitudes toward being petted, held close, and cuddled. And dog cuddling behavior varies from pet to pet.
Dogs may also be aggressive or regard a different family member as their best friend. It might take some time for your dog to warm up to you if he is affectionate with other family members or if you are just meeting him for the first time.
Last but not least, your dog might simply be expressing his love for you in other ways. Just because you hoped he’d cuddle up to you doesn’t mean you should ignore the signs that he cares. Hes likely already showing you in a different manner.
How do I make my dog more cuddly?
Getting your dog’s trust will make them more lovable. Give them what they need, spend more time with them, and pay attention to their body language to achieve this. Let them come to you and respect their space. Additionally, by rewarding them with treats and praise, you can teach them to cuddle. And lastly, give them time.
FAQ
How do I make my dog more cuddly?
Touch various parts of your puppy for a moment while holding some treats or puppy kibble in your hands. If he doesn’t try to mouth your hand, say “good!” and give him a treat. Gently stroke his paws, tail, and ears while praising and rewarding him for his composure. This should be done everyday.
Why does my dog not cuddle with me?
Some dogs don’t like being hugged or cuddled because doing so limits their ability to effectively communicate physically. Dogs are physical communicators. If cuddling interferes with their ability to communicate, they feel uneasy and exposed.
Can you teach a dog to be cuddly?
You can train any animal to do anything that he or she is physically and mentally capable of doing, in my experience as a certified professional dog trainer. The good news in your situation is that Ace enjoys cuddling already.
How do dogs choose who to cuddle with?
But the majority of dogs usually form bonds with the person who shows them the most affection. In a household with two parents and two children, the dog might prefer the parent who fills their bowl in the morning and walks them every evening. Physical affection also strengthens the bond between a person and a dog.