A vet has warned how a ‘hug’ can make a dog feel, and it’s not necessarily what you would expect
A vet has warned that it could be a bad idea to ‘hug’ your dog, as it could have the opposite effect on them to what us humans feel.
There’s nothing nicer than coming home from a long day at work to your furry friend scurrying as fast as they can to the door to greet you.
Your natural reaction is usually to bend down and give them a big cuddle, and whilst it might look like they’re loving every second – it might not be what they’re really feeling.
Dog experts are now warning owners to find different ways of showing their love.
According to a vet who spoke to Psychology Today, a hug can actually make a dog feel quite anxious and trapped – this is because a dog’s primary defence is to run away.
Psychologist Stanley Coren explained: “Yes, your dog may leap into your lap and kiss your face, cuddle against your neck, and beg you to rub her belly.
“But that’s not ‘hugging.’
“In my experience, many dogs don’t enjoy having a human move one or two arms around their shoulders and squeeze.
“That’s the hug we are talking about.”
Behaviour Vets author Lauren Novack believes dogs who do enjoy hugs are a complete ‘exception’, reports Daily Paws.
She said: “When dogs don’t like something and politely ask for space over and over again to no avail, they’re likely to escalate their communication to growling or biting.
“I don’t want dogs to be stressed, and I don’t want humans to get bitten. For most dogs, hugs are stressful.”
Stanley previously analysed 250 photos of dogs being given hugs, and he found that in 80% of the images, the dogs showed signs of looking stressed.
And he noted that this can be indicated by a dog lowers their ears, closing their eyes, or turning away from the source of anxiety.
And the psychologist has now revealed some much better alternatives.
He said: “The clear recommendation to come out of this research is to save your hugs for your two-footed family members and lovers.
“It is clearly better from the dog’s point of view if you express your fondness for your pet with a pat, a kind word, and maybe a treat.”
And the last thing we want to do is upset our furry babies, so we’re definitely going to take this advice on board!
Barbra Streisand says she ‘can’t live in this country’ if this happens!!!
Barbra Streisand has recently spoken out in support of Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, who has been under fire from conservative critics. Streisand is certain that Willis’s criticisms are an unwarranted attempt to ruin her reputation by prying into her personal life.
In a post on X, Streisand described how Willis’s personal relationship with Nathan Wade—a deputy attorney she hired to investigate the Georgia 2020 election results—is unfairly bringing her under scrutiny. Streisand highlighted the unfair differences that exist and asked why women are harshly criticized for leading private lives while men are accepted for doing so.
“What a ridiculous desire to fire Fani Willis exists among the Republicans. For what reason? thinking that a woman can’t pursue a career and a personal life at the same time? Men do it all the time! How ridiculous is this circumstance? stated Streisand.
Streisand didn’t stop there; she also took use of the event to criticize former President Trump and his supporters. She stressed that Willis’s attacks are a ruse to deflect attention from the most crucial aspects of the case, which include alleged attempts by Trump to coerce the Secretary of State into manipulating the vote tallies in his favor and submitting a fake list of electors to Congress.
This ongoing conflict draws attention to the broader debate over the intersections of personal and professional lives, especially in relation to contentious legal and political issues. It brings up significant issues regarding gender equality and the specific expectations placed on women in positions of leadership.
Barbra Streisand’s backing of Fani Willis brings attention to the unique challenges faced by women in balancing their personal and professional commitments. It is a tragic reminder that women should not be examined or judged for choosing to maintain a private life in addition to their professional responsibilities.
In conclusion, Streisand’s comments emphasize how important it is to treat every employee equally in the workplace, regardless of gender. Women ought to be free to live their lives without unjustified criticism, just like men. To create a more fair and supportive work environment for everybody, it is asked that everyone recognize and address these prejudices.
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