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5 Signs your dog is uncomfortable in an embrace

By Kimberley Spinney

FALMOUTH, CORNWALL - FEBRUARY 18: A dog owner and her Bedlington Whippet, Merlyn, enjoy a walk by the sea at Gyllyngvase Beach on February 18, 2022 in Falmouth, Cornwall. The Met Office has issued two rare, red weather warnings for the South and South West of England today as Storm Eunice makes landfall. Much of the rest of the UK is under amber and yellow warnings with winds up to 100 mph, rain and snow expected. This is the worst storm to hit the UK for three decades (Photo by Hugh Hastings/Getty Images)
FALMOUTH, CORNWALL - FEBRUARY 18: A dog owner and her Bedlington Whippet, Merlyn, enjoy a walk by the sea at Gyllyngvase Beach on February 18, 2022 in Falmouth, Cornwall. The Met Office has issued two rare, red weather warnings for the South and South West of England today as Storm Eunice makes landfall. Much of the rest of the UK is under amber and yellow warnings with winds up to 100 mph, rain and snow expected. This is the worst storm to hit the UK for three decades (Photo by Hugh Hastings/Getty Images) /
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When it comes to showing our dogs affection, there are times when we forget that they are not people. And that can lead to uncomfortable situations for them.

As we recently discussed, when it comes to offering hugs to our dogs, the reality is that they are actually not comfortable with this show of affection. While some dogs may be okay with it, for the most part dogs are not into hugging (in fact for some dogs it is almost an act of aggression because you are limiting their ability to move freely).

So that begs the question of how can we tell if a dog is feeling uncomfortable, particularly if we are talking about them being hugged. Thanks to the American Kennel Club, we have a few signs to look out for to determine that a dog is not okay with what is happening to them.

Here are 5 signs to look out for to tell if your dog is uncomfortable in a hug

  • Tucked Tail – A tucked tail is a sign of an uncomfortable dogs. Whether that means just their tail being lowered or actually under the belly, this is a definite sign that your dog is not okay.
  • Stiffness – We all know that a happy dog is loose and easily moved. However, a dog that is uncomfortable will be stiff and still.
  • Lowered Ears – When a dog is stressed out, they will either have their ears laid back on their head or they will be lowered. Either way, this is not a good sign.
  • Raised Paw – If your dog has one of their front paws raised, it can be a sign of confusion. And while this may not be a truly stressed out dog, it is still a sign to pay attention to because they clearly are not confident in what is happening to them.
  • Head Turned Away – When a dog is uncomfortable in a situation, they will look away from you. This also means that they will not be willing to look you in the eyes. And since they are trying to avoid eye contact, some dogs will even close their eyes.

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Have you ever noticed any of these signs in a dog? Did you realize that these were signs of an uncomfortable dog? Let us know below.

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