Scientists are determined to take the fun out of everything

[oldhat]

Now you're not supposed to hug your dog (http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/d-brief/2016/04/27/dogs-and-hugs-dont-mix/#.VyJakNIrLX4). :confused:

[CathyA]

LOL! Sometimes ya just gotta do what feels right in your heart. I'm gonna go hug my dog right now!!

[Teacher Terry]

I saw that too and thought it was silly and my DH said so too.

[Williamsmith]

I have known this from observing dogs all my life. Don't ever hug a dog........... Sniff their behind.

[cdttmm]

I have known this from observing dogs all my life. Don't ever hug a dog........... Sniff their behind.

:D:D:D:D:D

[razz]

When my eldest daughter was just learning to walk, she grabbed hold of my dad's Dalmation around the neck and he very slowly and gently walked with her holding on tight. We were visiting for the weekend and he taught her how to walk.

My current dog sits and stares steadily at me, lifts his paw and rests in on the foot hanging free when I am sitting in my easy chair. Only when he gets a hug and cuddle does he relax and lay down.

My previous dog leaned into me when I was standing, walking or sitting and waited for the cuddle before settling and sitting or laying down.

Not sure why my experience is so different.

[iris lilies]

While this may be true core dog behavior, my dog is so hungry for mommy attention that he takes it in any form. Even if instinctively he feels confined by my hug, he has learned to like it because mommy love. That is true for all of the bulldogs we've had, they learn what their human does to show affection and they accept that expression.

The dogs are smarter and more adaptable than this article suggests.

We joke here about there being no body contact that our dog finds unacceptable. We use him for a footstool and put our feet all over him. We pin him down and roll him over. Etc. Ii's all good with him.

[JaneV2.0]

I'm convinced that the vast majority of studies are bogus. Dog people are perfectly capable of judging whether or not their companion likes or doesn't like being hugged.

[Williamsmith]

I find it way more complicated figuring out what my wife wanted than it ever was with my dog. It took me a long time to figure out they both wanted the same thing......have something to eat and go for a long walk. Mans best friend.

[oldhat]

I'm convinced that the vast majority of studies are bogus.

Someone should do a study on that.:idea:

[Simplemind]

My dog is not a fan of having the top of her head touched (will dodge it) or being hugged around the neck. She does love backing up to you for a butt scruffin.

[mschrisgo2]

I have one dog who tolerates hugs, and another who Loves to be hugged.

I'm convinced that the people who need to do "studies" on dogs don't really know anything about them.

[SteveinMN]

I'm convinced that the vast majority of studies are bogus. Dog people are perfectly capable of judging whether or not their companion likes or doesn't like being hugged.
http://i68.tinypic.com/6enig3.jpg

Our "princess" will accept head pats from me, but she shies away from them from anyone else. Hugs? Depends on the time of day and phase of the moon, I suspect. I'd lose money betting day to day if she'd be okay with a hug at any given moment.

[mamalatte]

Our dog (I posted back in December about getting her from a rescue group) likes to GIVE hugs. She will get up on her hind legs and wrap her legs around the waist of the kids or me. She usually does it when we first get home or if we are out and about and she is scared of something. She likes us to just stand like that and pet her head.

[Aqua Blue]

I have one dog who tolerates hugs, and another who Loves to be hugged.

I'm convinced that the people who need to do "studies" on dogs don't really know anything about them.

I so agree. My dog tolerates hugs but don't touch his feet!!!!

[CathyA]

And probably most of the bogus, ridiculous studies are funded with our hard-earned tax dollars. :(

[catherine]

I thought it was interesting that the study was based on PHOTOGRAPHS of dogs that looked stressed, so I was thinking, maybe the dogs are just camera-shy. Maybe they were actually thinking "Please hug me tighter--I'm afraid of that black thing in my face!"

[CathyA]

My dog never looks like she's enjoying herself. She pretty much only has one facial expression............which is confusion. hahaha

All of the dogs we've had were strays......which makes me wonder if their early treatment somewhere else has affected them for life. They always seemed sort of limited emotionally.

Suzi......our present dog, like I said, always looks confused, no matter what we're doing. When I'm being sweet to her and telling her I love her and petting her, the look on her face is like "What's happening?? What's she doing to me???? I'm scared!!!"

The only time she "seems" happy is when she's laying on the couch and begins to lay on her back and ruffle up the blankets. I start saying in a funny voice "What are you doing????!!!! You! What are you doing there??!" And she starts rolling and snorting even more........which, to me, says she's having a good time. Who knows for sure? hahaha