We all love our four legged pals, but new research shows they might not be too thrilled with all that affection we give them.
A new study suggests that hugging dogs -- could actually increase their stress level. Stress is something that causes strong feelings of worry or mental tension.
Jeanne Moos has more.
--REPORTER PKG-AS FOLLOWS--
THERE IS NOTHING LIKE A DOGGIE HUG TO TUG AT YOUR HEART.
BUT IS IT MUTUAL? LET'S ASK THE OWNER OF SPECIAL AGENT MAXWELL SMART.
(Jeanne Moos, CNN) "Now do you think he does love it when you hug him?"
(MOS) "I know he does."
GOOD THING MAXWELL ISN'T SMART ENOUGH TO READ PSYCHOLOGY TODAY..."THE DATA SAYS 'DON'T HUG THE DOG.'"
(Jeanne Moos, CNN) "Supposedly dogs hate it when we hug them?"
"Really? not this one. he's a lover not a fighter."
BUT ACCORDING TO A NEW STUDY, ALMOST 82 PERCENT OF DOGS SHOW AT LEAST ONE SIGN OF STRESS WHEN BEING HUGGED. SOME OF THE SIGNS...EARS DOWN, HEAD TURNED TO AVOID EYE CONTACT.
snickers can I hug you sweetheart? can i hug you sweetheart?
SUBMISSIVE EYE CLOSING, LIP LICKING, ANXIOUS YAWNING. WHEN PSYCHOLOGY PROFESSOR AND DOG AUTHOR STANLEY COREN LOOKED AT 250 PHOTOS FROM THE INTERNET OF PEOPLE HUGGING THEIR DOGS, 4 OUT OF 5 OF THE DOGS SHOWED STRESS.
(Prof. Coren) "The internet is filled with pictures of happy owners hugging stressed dogs."
PROFESSOR COREN SAYS DOGS EVOLVED SO THAT THEIR MAIN MEANS OF DEFENSE IS TO RUN AWAY. AND WHAT DOES A HUG DO? IMMOBILIZE THEM.
"So if you hug him, what's he do?"
"he runs away."
PROFESSOR COREN COMPARES HUGGING A DOG TO WHAT ONE OF HIS AUNTS USED TO DO.
(Prof. Coren) "She came over grabbed both of my cheeks and said oh you're so cute. well it hurt and I didn't like it at all."
BUT DOG OWNERS AREN'T BUYING IT.
"Does your dog like to be hugged?"
"He does. yes. he likes to kiss as well."
when I hug him he leans into me and he seems very happy
MAYBE THEY'RE JUST PART OF THE APPROXIMATELY 8 PERCENT OF DOGS FOUND TO BE COMFORTABLE GETTING HUGGED.
"he's says that's full of baloney"
BUT EVEN MAX WOULD PROBABLY PREFER BALONEY TO A HUG.
JEANNE MOOS CNN
"look he's loving it."
"yeah but I haven't immobilized him."
Instructional Links
Website Article: Pet MD, 5 Signs Your Dog is Stressed (and How to Relieve it)
http://www.petmd.com/dog/centers/nutrition/signs-your-dog-is-stressed#
Website Article: 4 Paws University, Stress Signs in Dogs
http://4pawsu.com/stresssigns.html
Website Article: KidsHealth, The Story on Stress