Our Shih Tzu can truly be our best friends. Sometimes, we feel the need for a hug and assume our four-legged friends need one too.
It’s easy to entertain the idea that we all hug our Shih Tzu every now and then. Do we enjoy this hug much more than our pets?
We spend some time during this embrace of love and appreciation to realize if our dog is enjoying the event as much as we are.
Probably not; your Shih Tzu might have shown a remarkable feat of resistance and perhaps felt very uncomfortable in the situation. Let’s explore this thought further.
The truth about dog hugs
In general, most Shih Tzu don’t particularly like hugs. Many dogs immediately signal that you’re crossing a boundary they’re not willing to participate in.
Others will tolerate the moment. It should be noted that some do genuinely appreciate this intimate hug with their best friend.
It’s essential to keep in mind that just because your Shih Tzu doesn’t welcome a loving hug doesn’t mean they love you any less. Dogs, like humans, connect differently.
Shih Tzu don’t hug as a display of affection. They communicate through scent and body language.
If a Shih Tzu puts a leg or two over another dog’s shoulder, it’s more likely an attempt to display control or superiority.
So, how do dogs interpret our loving hugs? Do they think we’re showing dominance, assertiveness, or control?
Your hug might genuinely seem threatening to an animal that doesn’t want to be dominated by anyone. How do you know if your dog likes a hug or not?
Always be attentive to your Shih Tzu’s body language, as it can teach you a lot. If you’re unsure about your pet’s reaction, ask someone to take a picture of the event and study it closely.
It’s not always easy to identify anxiety or fear in our dog. In reality, you can detect these characteristics through ear positioning, eyes, tongue, and lips.
When you hug your dog, observe their body language. If they pull away with a closed mouth, they likely don’t feel comfortable.
If, on the other hand, they lean into you with an open mouth and panting, they probably are okay with the hug.