Hugs = Dominance ???

[SocalChelsea]

I was reading on here that hugging your dog can be considered an act of dominance by the dog but what about the other way around. My dog Chelsea loves to come over and put both her arms around my neck and lick my face, hair and ears. She will also come up on the couch (which we allow) and then wrap her front paws around from the back and start the licking on our neck and ears. It's not a constant behavior and just occasionally. My wife and I love it because we see it as a fun way of bonding with her but are we encouraging a dominant behavior or is she licking us as a way of "grooming" the pack leaders?

 

[JokersSoul]

Cooper likes to hug too. In my opinion, if Chelsea was showing agressive behavior when she does it, then I would be worried. I don't think you really have anything to worry about.

 

[KWilson]

Yeah I wouldn't see that as a sign of her trying to show dominance if anything she is just showing you affection and showering you with wonderful doggy kisses!

 

[Sugarcain]

Cain and his sister Roxy does the exact same thing. Their little nubbies are going the whole time. I think its just a way for them to say how much they love you.

 

[LILYLARUE]

Every boxer I met does this. They act like a horny convict fresh outta the pen! LOL Lily will stand over me when I sit down and her front legs will be "hugging" my neck as her paws rest on the back of the couch. I can't stop her.....I just have to sit there, eyes and mouth tightly shut while she licks me for about 5 mins. I absolutely love it! She is showing me how much she loves me. Atleast that's what I want to believe. Whatever reason, I allow her to do it. My daughter lets her all the time. Usually when she's been gone for a few days, Lily needs her fix. Lily does it to her BF too. She only gets to see him about one weekend a month, so she makes up for it as soon as he sits down. He loves her, so he doesn't stop her either.

I'd think if she were humping as she was doing the huggy/kissy, then I'd be more inclined to think it a dominance thing.

 

[baxtercruz]

I agree with the previous posters... and wondered this myself at first too... Baxter does this to us when we come home and he just can't stand it, he's so happy. I wondered about the dominance thing, because he'll put his front paws on our shoulders and hold on tight, and he gets taller than I am- but he's just kissing and wagging his nub like crazy- and he really doesn't show any other signs of dominance toward us. He seems to know we're both his pack leaders. It's pretty cute!

 

[dukesmomma]

Our boxer Duke does the same thing. At first it scared but when I saw that his lil nubbie was going and he was all excited I realized that it was just him showing how much he loves us and how glad he is that we finally came home. LOL