Pet owners are you ready for this bombshell: dogs HATE being hugged!
Next time you want to show your dog how much you love them by giving them a big hug, think again, because according to a new study published in Psychology Today, canines are not such fans of cuddles as we previously thought.
The study, lead by Stanley Coren, an animal physiologist, looked at 250 photographs of owners hugging their pups.
By analysing the body language of the dogs, the research revealed that 82% of the pooches in the snaps showed signs of stress.
Stanley says that the most common sign of stress is when the dog “turns his head away from whatever is bothering or worrying him, sometimes also closing his eyes, at least partially.”
Other signs your pup's in a panic include when their ears are lowered and you can see the whites of their eyes.
Stanley explained that dogs feel stressed when being hugged because it is in their instinct to run away from danger, and when hugging your pup you are stopping them from being able to run away from any potential danger.
If they feel really anxious they may even bite.
So the next time you want to show your pup some affection a belly rub or a pat on the head will suffice!
What do you make of this study?
Let us know on our Facebook or Twitter (@CloserOnline) page.
***You may also like... ***