Why Does My Dog Jump On Me When I Hug Someone

Why Does My Dog Jump On Me When I Hug Someone?

 

Protective behavior is a very natural instinct within the canine realm. From majestic grey wolves to teeny Chihuahuas dogs of all sizes have the desire to protect their humans which they see as part of their pack. This urge is because the animal is protecting their survival needs of food and shelter. However, there are many differences and reasons why a dog’s innate tendency to protect can manifest in jealous and overprotective bad habits.

 

Hugging is one of life’s simple pleasures… if you are a human.

 

But for your furry four-legged friend hugging is seen as an aggressive restrictive move. Dogs show their affection in different ways.

 

Some ways that dogs show their affection are:

•Wagging their tail

•Following you closely

•Sleeping near you

•Leaning against you

•Licking and rubbing your face

 

If your dog sees someone holding you tight- hugging you, for example- they will think you may be being attacked and begin to jump on you to try and ‘free’ you from the threat.

Jumping on you when you are being hugged is a sign of protection.

 

How To Teach A Dog Not To Jump When I Hug Someone?

The best way to teach your pup not to spring up when you are being squeezed is to train your dog not to engage in the jumping up behavior entirely.

 

The solution is to never allow your dog to jump on anyone, ever.

 

It is important to address the behavior consistently and firmly, and at times a professional dog trainer may be needed.

 

Jumping onto people is your dog’s way of expressing dominance over you, whoever is hugging you and other guests. A dog that tries to be the dominant leader of the pack can become aggressive and hard to manage when it is full-grown. This can even become dangerous.

 

Some simple ways to begin training your dog not to jump are:

 

•Train your dog first to understand the Sit! And Off! Commands

•As your dog is jumping lift your knee up and across your body preventing the jump. Never directly knee your dog in the chest as this is may cause injury to your pup and scare them.

•Pop a plastic bag loudly when your dog is about to jump on you.

•Stand completely still and ignore them as to not reinforce

•Tone down the excitement and give treats when he keeps all four paws on the ground

•Hire a certified dog trainer or invest in a dog training course.

 

Through consistent practice and training your dog will know that jumping up behavior is not wanted and that he can get better affection in other ways.

 

Dog Gets Jealous When We Kiss?

 

Like hugging, kissing is another affection that does not exist in the world of dogs. While they most likely do not experience a complex emotion such as jealousy there are other reasons dogs try to stop these harmless affections.

 

Some reasons for this sudden intrusion are:

•Your dog is trying to join in the affection

•You pup thinks there is a conflict and he is trying to break it up

•Protective breeds are anxious and want to stay higher up in the pack closer to their owners

 

It is often thought that dogs are jealous when more likely they are trying to remain close to their people by exhibiting natural protective behaviors.

 

Why Does My Dog Protect Me From My Husband?

 

Some dogs take a protective stance even when around other family members.

 

Simply put, dogs will protect their owners from their spouses if they consider them a threat.

 

Often the person who spends the most time with the pet will be the one who routinely feeds them. This person will also groom them and give them affection.

 

Some reasons why your dog will ‘protect’ you from your husband are :

 

•Guarding their food source ( you!)

•The dog is not socialized enough with your husband

•Your dog is nervously attached and sees your spouse as a person to be dominated

•The area you and your pet are sitting at is the thing your pup is protecting

 

While it seems strange that your dog would protect you from your significant other this is often a sign that your dog needs more socialization and attention.

 

Alternating the feeding schedule across other family members as well as more time on walks and playtime with your spouse could help balance the bond.

 

 

Why Is My Female Dog Obsessed With My Boyfriend?

 

 

It is a great sign when your best furry friend begins to bond with your favorite human.

 

But why does this happen?

 

All mammals respond to positive associations. This creates a pleasurable experience that they seek to repeat. A positive association is formed when a dog is rewarded in some way.

 

Some positive associations are:

 

•Physical exercises such as fetch and walks

•New toys and treats

•Gushing happy attention and petting

•Rides in the car

 

When your boyfriend begins to bond with your dog most likely he uses most or all of the above positive associations to gain favor. So it is natural that your dog would want to spend more time with someone who is pure fun most of the time!

 

Another reason your dog could be obsessed with your significant other… well, his or her scent!

 

Canines have over 300 million scent receptors in their noses, compared to our 6 million. Their scent analyzing areas of their brains is a whopping 40 times greater than a human brain.

So if your pup suddenly prefers your boyfriend over you it could be that it just prefers his scent over yours.

 

 

Do Dogs Get Jealous Of Human Affection?

 

Dogs do express what we humans associate with jealousy.

 

A study at the University of California in San Diego revealed that dogs reliably react to jealousy-inducing behavior such as stroking other dogs or stuffed dogs. These dogs reacted by whining and pulling hard on their leashes.

 

Psychologists who study dog behavior believe this jealousy is deeply ingrained and a result of guarding their resources and staying in the pack.

Dogs get jealous when their owner’s attention is diverted. Reassuring your pet that they are not being edged out of excluded keeps everyone happy and peaceful.

 

This is especially important when there is a new pet or baby brought into the home.

 

 

Why Does My Dog Lean On Me When I Hug Him?

 

Humans express affection by hugging and snuggling close. This however is unnatural for canines.

 

Dogs sense hugging as restrictive. When we hug our dogs to express affection our dogs feel trapped.

 

When your dog leans back on you when you are hugging him he could be expressing his displeasure.

 

When dogs lean they are expressing a type of pushing and herding behavior, and at times this is a sign of dominance.

 

It is especially important to teach young toddlers and children not to hang on or restrict the family pup.

 

Are Dogs More Protective Of Female Owners?

 

There may be some reasons why a dog can become more protective of their female owners.

Some of these reasons include:

 

•Resource guarding- such as being the person to solely feed the dog

•More time spent with the female owner of the family than other members

•Caretaking and grooming of the dog by the female owner

•Sleeping with the owner and not other family members

•Being raised and trained by them from puppyhood

•Not socialized enough with others

•Sensing the fear response in women more than the male owners

•Pregnancy of the female owner

 

While protective behaviors are very desirable in a threatening situation, your dog must be trained to be able to tell the difference and stand down immediately when commanded.

 

How Do You Know If My Dog Is Protective Of Me?

 

There are many ways to tell if your dog is being protective.

Showing signs of protective behaviors is a completely natural instinct in dogs. There are many dog breeds bred exactly for this reason.

 

When a member of a dog’s pack- for example, their family members like you!- seems to be in danger they spring into action to keep them from being harmed.

 

Some signs of healthy protective behavior are:

 

•Perked up alert stance

•Moving in between you and the threat

•Growling and barking

•Whale eye

•Teeth baring and lip licking

•Constantly scanning the environment

•Returning to a calm state when commanded or when the threat passes

 

Again, this behavior is hard-wired in dogs of all sizes and breeds. It is a sign of healthy secure attachment rather than overprotective or jealous behavior.

 

 

What Is The Most Jealous Dog Breed?

 

There appear to be some breeds that have more of a tendency to display jealous behavior.

These breeds are:

 

•Bullmastiffs

•Cane Corsos

•German Shepards

•Doberman Pinschers

 

These breeds are protective and can become jealous. An untrained overprotective dog is dangerous.

 

It is very important these breeds are trained properly and socialized more than others. With proper handling and consistent training, these big beauties can be man’s best friend!

 

How Do You Know If Your Dog Is Jealous?

 

Dogs can and do become jealous.

 

When your pup is jealous they display certain behaviors that show their distress. Some of these behaviors include:

 

•Barking

•Whining

•Being pushy/ leaning

•Getting in between the object of attention

•Defecating in the home

•Destructive behavior such as chewing

•Rapidly doing all their tricks

•Excessive self-grooming and licking

 

Upon seeing these behaviors in your pet you can begin to assess the reasons behind them such as a change in routine, environment, or household members.

 

By consistent training and positive reinforcement techniques, you can teach your dog that the world is safe and that they have a stable, loving place in your family pack as well as in your heart!

 

 

 

References

 

https://wagwalking.com/behavior/why-do-dogs-jump-on-you-when-you-hug

 

https://suburbandog.ca/keeping-four-paws-on-the-ground

 

https://pethelpful.com/dogs/Why-Some-Dogs-Become-Protective-of-Owners

 

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/04/210408131415.htm