Some Dogs Really Don't like Being Petted or Hugged
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I think this is good advice from this vet , some dogs just dont like beeing hugged or petted
Its because it is something we humans do, hugging that is, but not what dogs can do with each other and is alien to them
So some see it as a threat , or feel suffocated when you grab your dog around the head and squeeze
I am lucky , mine doesn't seem to mind so much , but it could be risky if it is not your dog or an aggressive breed
www.buzzfeed.com/rajpunjabi/why-dogs-dont-like-petting?origin=web-hf
My cat is often looking for attention and likes to be stroked but if I pick him up and give him a little hug I get the look of disgust from him but he tolerates it. So its not just dogs.
BonzoBanana I was going to say the same about cats. They choose if they want to cuddled or not. We have two cats and one is so affectionate that she dribbles on you.
BonzoBanana I think more so cats B, i had two myself a few years ago and the odd scratch around the ears was the most they would tolerate
I totally agree. My previous dogs have actively asked for hugs - great fun when a German Shepherd curls up on your lap - but our current girl, although much smaller, would find this threatening. As she was rescued from the streets of Romania, her life has been tough and she's nervous by nature. We try to give her as much autonomy in her life as possible, when she's petted, and when and where she's walked.
telmel We've had our girl for nine years now, but she's still nervous about new situations. She's great with people she knows however. Our last GSD was only 18 months old but had been rehomed 5 times. It had absolutely no effect on her once she settled in with us though. I could take her anywhere including a home for people who had dementia. She would just sit nicely at the residents feet and lay her head on their laps.
Well our dog loves a snuggle lol however the cat we had didn't like to be stroked ect.. it would attack you if you did
Why should all dogs wsbt attention. Humans are no different. Had 2 cats. One was a velcro cat. Would force you to hug her. Her brothers idea of a hug was to sit next to you. Even then he would only sit next to me my daughter and his granny. Didn't want to be picked up. Didn't do anyone else. Tbf he had anxiety.
No they really don’t and they may warm to some people and not others. Our Pom is so lovely, he is nearly 11, has a great temperament. He has never felt comfortable around children as he has anxiety from being abused as a rescue. He seems to warm to my mum more than my dad too, I think it is because my dad constantly wants to play and he has never really done much dog like things lol. He is more a cat bless him. 
I didn't think dogs could do a proper human arm hug because their leg structure is different until I saw this video the other day:
I don't have pets myself. But when I'm out most dogs come to be really excited and what strokes or hugs. One tried kissing me recently! I always let the dog come to me as I know some dogs are abit scared. Cats don't come to me as much but that's there nature. But I do have two cats that live near me one especially likes me. It wants lots of strokes. Likes to go in and out of my legs. One day it wanted to follow me to the local shop which involved going near major roads which I didn't want. So it took awhile but eventually got them to stay. He has worked out where I live so walks past the house all the time now and always looks up at the security camera. It's cute. Makes me happy.
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