Many dogs don’t enjoy hugs; they tolerate them. For a dog, being wrapped in arms can feel like being held in place. Watch for signs like turning the head away, lip licking, yawning or showing the whites of the eyes, and show love in ways your dog actually likes.
Every dog is different, and some truly enjoy close contact with their people. This Mundo Mascotita guide answers do dogs like hugs honestly: why hugs can feel uncomfortable, the six signals to watch for, what the famous “hug photos” analysis found and how to show affection safely, especially with kids.
Why hugs feel like restraint
Hugging is a primate way of showing love. Dogs don’t hug each other. When one dog puts its legs over another dog’s shoulders, it’s often play or a challenge, not affection.
So when we wrap our arms around a dog’s neck or body, the dog may experience it as being held in place, unable to move away. Dogs often prefer to be able to leave a situation when they feel uncomfortable. A hug removes that option, which is why many dogs tense up even with people they love.
Stress signals: whale eye, lip lick, yawn
Dogs tell us when they’re uncomfortable. These are six common signals to watch for during a hug, or any time you touch your dog:
- Turning the head away. The dog looks or turns its whole head away from you.
- Whale eye. You can see the whites of the eyes, often in a half-moon shape, while the dog looks sideways.
- Lip licking. A quick flick of the tongue over the nose or lips when there’s no food around.
- Yawning. A yawn when the dog isn’t tired can be a sign of stress.
- Ears back. Ears pinned back or flattened against the head.
- Freezing or stiffening. The body goes still, the mouth closes, sometimes the dog leans away.
Other signs include lifting a paw, trying to wriggle away or a sudden shake-off afterwards, as if shaking off water. Growling, showing teeth or snapping mean the dog is very uncomfortable. Respect it and stop. Never punish a growl: it’s a warning, and dogs punished for warning may bite without one.
What the photo analysis found
In 2016, psychologist and dog behavior author Stanley Coren wrote a column in Psychology Today about an informal analysis he did. He took a random sample of 250 online photos of people hugging dogs and looked for signs of stress or discomfort in the dogs.
He reported that about 82% of the photos (204 of 250) showed at least one sign of stress, and only a small share showed dogs that seemed comfortable.
It’s important to be careful with this result. It was not a peer-reviewed study. Coren himself described it as a set of casual observations, and photos don’t show what happened before or after the picture, or how each dog felt in general. Still, the stress signals he looked for are the same ones veterinarians and trainers teach, and many dog owners recognize them once they know what to look for.
Better ways to show affection
You don’t have to stop loving your dog, just change how you show it. Most dogs enjoy:
- Chest and side rubs. Many dogs prefer being scratched on the chest, the side or the base of the ears rather than patted on top of the head.
- Letting the dog come to you. Sit down and let your dog lean against you if it wants to. That’s a dog-style hug.
- Short petting sessions. Pet for a few seconds, then stop. If your dog nudges you for more, continue. If it moves away, respect that.
- Play and walks. A sniff walk, a game of tug or learning a trick together builds connection.
- Calm time together. Simply relaxing nearby is meaningful to many dogs.
If your dog clearly enjoys cuddles, seeks them out and stays relaxed, there’s no need to stop. Just keep reading its body language.
Kids and hugging dogs
This matters most with children. Kids naturally hug, kiss and put their faces close to dogs, and a child’s face is at the same height as the dog’s. The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) stresses that young children should always be supervised around dogs.
Teach kids simple rules:
- No hugging dogs, no kissing dogs on the face and no lying on top of them.
- Pet gently on the chest or side, and stop if the dog walks away.
- Leave dogs alone when they are eating, sleeping or have a toy or bone.
- Never approach a dog you don’t know without asking the owner.
For more on preventing bites at home, Mundo Mascotita has a guide on how to teach a dog not to bite (in Spanish).
FAQ
Do dogs like hugs?
Many dogs don’t; they tolerate them. A hug can feel like being restrained. Some dogs do enjoy close contact with their people, so watch your dog’s body language: a relaxed body that leans in is very different from a stiff dog turning its head away.
How do I know if my dog doesn’t like being hugged?
Look for turning the head away, whale eye (whites of the eyes showing), lip licking, yawning, ears back and a stiff or frozen body. Wriggling away, growling or showing teeth are clear signs to stop.
Is the study saying dogs hate hugs reliable?
It should be read with caution. Stanley Coren’s 2016 analysis of 250 photos was an informal observation published as a column, not a peer-reviewed study. Its message, to watch for stress signals, is still useful.
What is the best way to show my dog affection?
Let your dog come to you, pet the chest, sides or base of the ears for short periods and stop if it moves away. Play, walks and calm time together also show love in ways dogs understand.
Should children hug dogs?
It’s safer if they don’t. A child’s face is close to the dog’s, and a stressed dog may bite. Teach kids to pet gently on the chest or side, and always supervise young children around dogs.
This guide is part of Mundo Mascotita in English. If your dog suddenly dislikes being touched in a place it used to enjoy, it may be in pain. Check with your veterinarian.
Sources
- Coren, S. (2016). The Data Says “Don’t Hug the Dog!” Psychology Today (informal analysis, not peer-reviewed).
- American Veterinary Medical Association. Preventing dog bites.
- American Kennel Club. Reactivity vs. Aggression (early stress signals such as lip licking and pinned-back ears).
