Please note that some posts contains affiliate links & I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links Find out More

DON’T Hug Your Dog on National Hug Your Hound Day! Here’s Why

DON’T Hug Your Dog on National Hug Your Hound Day! Here’s Why

Several years ago when I wrote for the puppies.about.com site (now TheSprucePets) I took issue with a promotion advertised by a big-name pet food company that encouraged people to post pictures of themselves hugging dogs. Hoo-boy…Oh dear heaven, by the comments I received you’d think that I said cute babies are evil, apple pie is poison and advocated BEATING YOUR DOG! Part of that has to do with folks reading only the title and ignoring the content of the message. Oh well. That drives home the importance of titles, I suppose.

The promo really struck a chord with pet lovers. After all, who doesn’t love a hug? Hugs mean love, hugs mean happy happy happy, hugs are tail-wagging expressions of the joy we share with dogs. Right? RIGHT?!

Uh, no. And glory be, the promotion lives on. Today, September 11, has been named “National Hug Your Hound Day.”

national hug your hound day

WHY HUGS CAN BE DANGEROUS

There’s a reason that veterinary behaviorists, dog trainers and savvy owners blanched when they learned about this promotion. Why is that? Because while hugs are a natural HUMAN expression of comfort and love, they can send the opposite signal to your dog.

Children get bitten in the face as a result of inappropriate dog interaction (often hugs). Learn ways to help prevent dog bites here. There are other safer, more appropriate ways to show affection to dogs that the dog actually prefers!

“Oh no, you stupid, clueless person–you’re wrong wrong wrong, because MY DOG loves hugs, and every dog I’ve ever had loves hugs and everyone that I know has dogs that hug them back and loves hugs and…” 

Good. In this case, I would LOVE to be wrong! If you have a dog that loves hugs and hugs you back, bravo. But that also begs the question, how do you know your dog “loves hugs?”

hug your hound

A hug is an embrace, right? Arms go around the body and squeeze–that’s a hug. When do dogs clasp forelegs around another creature and squeeze? I can think of three scenarios:

  • Mating/Dominance displays
  • Prey capture
  • Fights/play fighting

So when your dog “hugs” you, what is he saying? And what do your hugs tell him? As a vet tech years ago, I was taught the “hug-restraint” technique to immobilize dogs for treatment. I suspect the dogs were not fooled into thinking that expressed affection. Today, of course, we know better ways to reduce fear and anxiety in dogs so we don’t have to hold ’em down.

How do dogs actually show love? Here are common ways dogs show love.

Thank heavens our dogs for the most part are very flexible and forgive humans our sometimes clueless nature, LOL! I know that I’m grateful Magical-Dawg made allowances when I didn’t understand what he tried to tell me. At least with people, you can explain your intentions. That can be a challenge with dogs.

hug your dog

FORCING HUGSIS IT FAIR?

I don’t have two-legged children. But I’ve witnessed gatherings where babies and toddlers get passed around to strangers who hug, pinch cheeks, bounce up and down, and ooh-and-aw over the cuticity. I think we’ve all seen kids wail in protest or fall silent with fear while a clueless relative or acquaintance—or a pediatrician?–insists on continued “loving but unwanted attention.” When you were a kid, do you remember that certain relative who caused no end of angst because, as a kid, you had no choice but to put up with the hugs, smooches, and cheek pinches? At least with older children, parents can explain what’s going on and help guide the adult (hopefully) into less scary interactions.

As much as we want to believe they read our minds and understand our words, dogs misunderstand a lot—and we misunderstand an equal portion of what they say. Hugs are supposed to express affection and love. So if a hug causes stress, fear, discomfort to the dog you adore, is it fair to inflict those feelings because it “feels good” to the owner?

hug your dog day

BUT—MY DOG LOVES HUGS!

Yes, many dogs can learn to tolerate–or even love hugs from a trusted human. For those who have taken the time to do this, BRAVO! Many dogs also can learn to tolerate or love tooth brushing–so is it responsible for a company with dental products to promote sticking your hands in the dog’s mouth, or is it better to explain how to do so safely?

Magical-dog loved close contact. He often pushed his head and shoulders into my lap or squeezed his face under my arm. Was he asking for a hug? Shadow-Pup does the same. I suspect it’s this type of behavior that confuses many of us–but see, he controls that interaction. My arms haven’t come down around him to capture/hold/prevent movement. So some of the confusion, I suspect, has to do with semantics and how people define a hug.

How do you know your dog “loves” hugs? What does your dog do when s/he receives a hug? Do you know what each of these signals mean? Are you sure? Click on a link or two to see if you’re right!

Sorry—Not Sorry

Perhaps your dog loves hugs. That’s great. But my entire purpose with these blogs, my books, pet advocacy and more is to EMPOWER PET OWNERS TO MAKE INFORMED CHOICES.

To stand silent and do nothing hurts my soul. I was an expert witness more than a decade ago in a trial where a dog tragically attacked and severely injured a child—and they adored each other. We don’t know why (no witnesses to the attack), but I remember this case every time a clueless cute-and-fuzzy promo makes the rounds. Read about that in this blog post.

If hissing off some readers saves one child from the trauma of a bite, or one family from the heartbreak of losing a beloved dog by mis-reading intent—I’m fine with that.

Now then, I’ll don my flame-resistant sparkles and prepare for comments. Do your dogs like hugs? How do you know? For trainers and behavior folks out there, how do you help people understand safe dog handling? Do tell!

YouTube Button

I love hearing from you, so please share comments and questions. Do you have an ASK AMY question you’d like answered? Do you have a new kitten and need answers? Stay up to date on all the latest just subscribe the blog, “like” me on Facebook, and sign up for Pet Peeves newsletter. Stay up to date with the latest book giveaways and appearances related to my September Day pet-centric THRILLERS WITH BITE!

Amy Shojai, CABC is a certified cat & dog behavior consultant, a consultant to the pet industry, and the award-winning author of 35+ pet-centric books and Thrillers with Bite! Oh, and she loves bling!

 

 

Purina Better With Pets Summit Says #LetsLiveBig Together! #ad

Purina Better With Pets Summit Says #LetsLiveBig Together! #ad

Purina Better With Pets Summit

This post is sponsored by Nestle Purina. I am being compensated for helping spread the word about the Purina Better With Pets Summit, but BLING, BITCHES & BLOOD only shares information I feel is relevant to my readers. Purina is not responsible for the content of this article.

betterwithpets-angiehollandbailey-janissgarza

I was honored to again be invited to attend and write about the Purina Better with Pets Summit held October 18 in New York. What fun that I also got to connect with some of my friends and colleagues, including Steve Dale and Dr. Marty Becker. One of the highlights was meeting several of the researchers I’ve interviewed over the years, including Dr. Steven Hannah, Dr. Dottie Laflamme, and Dr. Lisa Freeman. Woot! I know famous peeps!

purina Dottie Laflamme

There was a lot covered at the event, with probably a few hundred bloggers and media in attendance. I tried to type fast as I could, but balancing a laptop AND shooting pictures/video with my phone required juggling skills. So I hope these videos and recaps whet your appetite (pun intended!) to learn more.

Experts Everywhere…I’m In Heaven!

I arrived Monday Oct. 17 at the hotel and checked in just in time for an informal rooftop reception. Yes, there were four-footers and two-footers in attendance. We shared biz cards, pet stories and pictures, and enjoyed the view of the NYC skyline.

The next morning, we walked a few blocks to the event venue, and were treated to a lovely breakfast. Daniel Kohler (bloggers will recognize that name…and his red shoes!) introduced the president of Purina, Nina Leigh Kreuger, who opened with fascinating information about how Purina is shaping the future of Petcare.

Steve Dale, John Bear, Shaun Kennedy panel

The content and the speakers impressed me–not just from Purina, but from universities and organizations around the country (Mayo Clinic, North Shore Animal League, St. Louis Children’s Hospital, Urban Resource Institute). One of the most inspiring panels, “How A Passion for Pets Builds A Better World,” covered partnerships with hospitals and shelters (people and pet shelters). Check out the videos for more details.

Here’s a very brief recap of the whole day (including what Karma-Kat thought!) but please watch the others for more details. I promise, you don’t want to miss them.

PURINA BETTER WITH PETS IN LESS THAN 2 MINUTES…

img_4205

This year, one of the stations engraved ID tags while we waited. So Karma and Magic both got shiny new tags when I got home.

There also were several “partner” exhibits, with opportunity to pick up information and learn more. I took the opportunity to sneak a couple of speakers outside for a quick interview. This is something you do NOT want to miss…and probably will want to get a similar program started in your neck of the woods.

CO-SHELTER INITIATIVE: ABUSED PEOPLE SHELTER WITH THEIR PETS!

Experts Inspired & Inspiring

One of the best parts of the Summit was hearing the scientists get just a wee bit emotional and gushy. Pets do that to you–and when you discover that you’ve made a difference, a personal connection and impact–what could be better?

What Does The Future Hold?

Don’t you love predictions? How about this…LET’S EAT BUGS! (Karma is ahead of the curve, already munching crickets).

Share It With #LetsLiveBig — How YOUR Pet Allows You to Live Bigger, Together?

I’m sort of a science geek, at least when it comes to my pets. So the “Science of Innovative Nutrition for Pets” panels was my fave. Last year, I wrote about Bright Mind dog food–my Magic began munching that last fall after we received samples, and he’s done so well on it.

This year, I again interviewed a wonderful scientist about MCT fatty acids and the benefits to the brain, but the noise level in the hall prevented the interview from being usable. That said, I was fascinated by the promising studies mentioned regarding reduction of seizure activity in dogs fed diets containing experimental levels of these ingredients. I’m encouraged that further research into the direct effect nutrition plays in disease will have a positive, and lasting impact on our pets’ lives and those who love them. That old saying, “you are what you eat” is actually TRUE!

While at the summit, attendees were encouraged to share our experiences with the hashtag #LetsLiveBig so now it’s your turn. If you’re reading this blog, I know that YOU believe pets make our lives better (and vice versa). Share how your pets help you live bigger lives together…ready, set, GO!

YouTube Button

I love hearing from you, so please share comments and questions. Do you have an ASK AMY question you’d like answered? Do you have a new kitten and need answers? Stay up to date on all the latest just subscribe the blog, “like” me on Facebook, and sign up for Pet Peeves newsletter. Stay up to date with the latest book giveaways and appearances related to my September Day pet-centric THRILLERS WITH BITE!

Amy Shojai, CABC is a certified cat & dog behavior consultant, a consultant to the pet industry, and the award-winning author of 35+ pet-centric books and Thrillers with Bite! Oh, and she loves bling!