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!
Addressing Health Issues: The Smith Family’s Wellness Journey
The well-known Will and Jada Pinkett Smith, their kids Jaden and Willow, and Jada’s mother Adrienne Banfield-Norris were among the Smith family members who recently went on “Red Table Talk” to discuss some health issues they’ve been having. Their sincere conversation illuminates the significance of wellbeing and health, an issue that affects all of us.
Putting Jaden’s health first
Jaden, who is 21 years old, talked about his serious stomach problems in the episode. He emphasized the importance of putting his health first above all else, even if he received backlash after switching to a vegan diet. Anyone who is afraid to ask for help due to concerns about the opinions of others can find encouragement in Jaden’s bravery in sharing his troubles.
Nutritional Modifications for Optimal Health
The family sought advice from prominent specialists Dr. Mark Hyman and nutritionist Mona Sharma in order to address Jaden’s health issues. Dr. Hyman determined that eating the incorrect kinds of food was the root of Jaden’s problems. To treat any inadequacies, he recommended particular dietary adjustments and supplements.
They took action to remove dairy and gluten from Jaden’s diet after it was found that they were making his condition worse. Taking care of his vitamin and omega-3 deficiencies also became critical given his vegetarian diet. Jaden was certain that following these dietary changes would have a major positive impact on his health, enabling him to carry on motivating people.
An Unsettling Event and Required Adjustments
Jaden’s drastic diet back in September had worrying results. He was clearly feeling under the weather, and he freely acknowledged it. His family was quite concerned and took quick action when he was hospitalized in Australia owing to nausea and dizziness.
Inspirational Path to Wellbeing
The Smiths have always been open about their experiences with physical and mental health. Will recently talked about a significant experience he had—having a colonoscopy. A polyp was found and removed during the surgery, highlighting the importance of routine health checkups.
Will underlined that although adopting a healthier lifestyle could be difficult at first, there are priceless long-term advantages. They want to inspire others to take control of their health and promote lifespan and well-being by sharing their own experiences.
The Smith family’s open conversation on “Red Table Talk” demonstrates how proactive they are in addressing health-related issues. By being transparent and sharing their journey to wellness, they hope to encourage everyone to put their health first and lead a long and healthy life.
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