개가 포옹을 이해할 수 있습니까?

소개

당신의 모피 친구와 껴안고 당신이 얼마나 관심을 갖고 있는지 보여주기 위해 팔로 그들을 감싸는 것보다 더 좋은 것은 무엇입니까? 인간으로서 우리는 종종 서로에 대한 사랑과 공감을 나타내기 위해 포옹을 교환합니다. 이 제스처는 다정하고 사랑스럽고 친절한 것으로 쉽게 알아볼 수 있습니다.

그러나 반려견도 포옹에 대해 같은 생각을 하고 있습니까? 이 행동이 환영받고 즐기는 것입니까, 아니면 외국에서 용인되는 것입니까?

개들의 세계에서는 다른 개를 껴안고 있는 개를 볼 수 없습니다. 인간과 달리 그것은 행동의 자연스러운 부분이 아닙니다. 그렇다면 당신의 사랑하는 강아지가 실제로 포옹을 이해하고 당신의 사랑스러운 포옹에 감사할 수 있습니까? 계속 읽으십시오!

개가 포옹을 이해하는지 확인하는 방법

당신의 강아지 친구가 당신이 보여주고 있는 애정을 이해하는지 알 수 있는 가장 좋은 방법은 그들의 몸짓을 관찰하는 것입니다. 그들은 당신의 팔로 그들을 감싸거나 긴장을 풀고 있습니까? 개가 안아주는 것이 편안하다면 귀는 앞으로 향하고 꼬리는 높게 유지해야 합니다.

그러나 일부 뉴스 보도에 따르면 개는 안아주는 것을 좋아하지 않으며 인간은 개가 스트레스를 받거나 불안해하는 때를 말하기가 어렵습니다. 하지만 이것은 모든 개에게 해당되는 것은 아니며 많은 개는 애완동물 부모에게 안기는 것을 즐깁니다.

포옹을 받으면 이 제스처를 애정의 표시로 인식하지 못하는 불안한 개는 다음과 같이 할 수 있습니다.

• 고개를 돌리세요
• 아이컨택 해제
• 눈의 흰색 가장자리 노출
• 귀를 머리에 대고 찰칵
• 눈을 부분적으로 감습니다
• lick your mouth and face
• growl
• bare their teeth
  

Certainly, reactions can vary from one dog to another. For example, puppies are much more tolerant of most forms of interaction, and Golden Retrievers are known for their fondness for any kind of physical contact. Still, hugging is a behavior not naturally exhibited by dogs and is typically not understood as a sign of affection. 

A dog may hug may interpret a hug as a threat, as they may feel trapped and unable to flee from danger. This can cause confusion for your canine companion, who is unable to understand why their trusted human would exhibit a threatening gesture. When dogs are uncertain or confused in a social setting like this, they may exhibit canine displacement behaviors, like yawning and lip licking. 

Don't fret, though — there are many other ways to show your best pal you care, like a good brushing, couch cuddling, a walk, or their favorite engaging activity. Many dogs will tolerate a hug despite the discomfort it causes them, especially when they love and trust you.

The history of dogs and hugs

The evolutionary history of canines versus primates (like humans) can help us understand why dogs don't quite understand receiving a hug.

Over time, humans and canines have co-evolved, resulting in a cooperative relationship between two species. However, you must consider the millions of years that dogs evolved independently from humans. 

Hugging is hard-wired into our history as a species. From a young age, humans express affection, empathy, and love for others with this gesture. Research shows that even in our closest primate relatives, like chimpanzees, hugging is a way of expressing concern and providing comfort. 

Dogs evolved to interpret the behavior of a leg over their shoulder or body as an assertion of dominance. When a dog puts one or both legs over the shoulders of another, called standing over, it's usually a display of social status and is perceived as controlling and assertive. Historically, this behavior was likely to occur when dogs were competing for resources. 

This major difference in the evolutionary history of dogs and humans makes it easy to see why dogs may not interpret a hug as being affectionate.

The science behind dogs and hugs

Dogs are cursorial animals, meaning they are designed and adapted to run. In times of distress, their first instinct is to flee. When you hug your dog, they may feel trapped and like they can't escape. This can lead them to feel anxious and uncomfortable. 

Though dogs don't hug each other, they do show affection in different ways. In nature, dogs have the tendency to lick other individuals they are attached to — this is called allogrooming. This gesture signifies social bonding and companionship. If your dog often licks you, this may explain why. 

Dogs may also display their affection through playing, staying close to you, and following you around. These acts of affection are considered affiliative behaviors, or gestures between individuals sharing a social bond. 

Though your dog may not understand a hug, they still love you and will show you in other ways!

Training your dog to tolerate hugs

Some dogs may be totally fine with receiving a hug! However, some may feel threatened, scared, or anxious, especially if the behavior comes from a stranger. With a little effort, you can train your dog to accept hugs. 

This can be extremely beneficial in the context of going to the vet, when your dog may need to be held steady to receive vaccines, or interacting with children, who often don't know better than to lean on or throw their arms around the neck of a furry friend! 

Positive reinforcement is the way to go when training your dog to accept hugs. You can do so by gradually linking hugs with something your dog loves, like treats or belly rubs. You should also know how to hug your dog the right way to ensure they feel comfortable and safe.

• Start by simply resting your hand on their shoulder while you sit side by side and reward them with treats and praise, especially when they react calmly.

• Gradually move your arm farther around your dog's shoulders, rewarding them with treats every step of the way. 

• If your pup pulls away or displays signs of discomfort at any time, don't force them to remain in contact. Just take a break and try again another time.

Keep at it, and over time, your woofer will start to associate an arm over their shoulder with something good.

If you'd like your pooch to be comfortable accepting hugs from others as well, it's important for you to have several people practice this training method. However, be sure they are people your dog is already comfortable with and go very slowly to ensure safety. 

Training your canine compadre to accept hugs is possible and most effective when initiated at a young age. Be sure to be patient, too! After all, you're teaching your dog to accept something that goes against their social instincts!