Dogs are as intelligent as they are social. They build solid, special bonds with their humans that usually lead to possessiveness when they see a stranger in an affectionate hug with their owner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You are not alone if you have ever been in this situation and wondered: Why does my dog bark when I hug someone?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dogs are known to be naturally protective.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If your pooch barks repeatedly when you hug or get close to someone else, even another animal, it could mean two primary things \u2013 he is either jealous or protecting you.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This article however explores the top 10 reasons for this strange trigger in your pooch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why Does My Dog Bark When I Hug Someone?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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1. Your dog senses danger<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Picture this: Your fianc\u00e9 is finally home after being away on official duty for several months. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Because you haven\u2019t seen each other for this long period of time, you hug so tight that it causes you to let out a gentle squeal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then your dog suddenly starts to bark and doesn\u2019t seem to want to stop. Well, that\u2019s simply because they think you\u2019re desperately in need of help. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dogs are naturally caring and will always attempt to save and protect their pet parents <\/strong>whenever the need arises. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, when your pooch sees you locked up in the arms of your lover, someone whom they happen to have seen only a long time ago, they immediately think that you\u2019re in danger.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Furthermore, dogs do not really understand hugs and so it automatically translates to being in a difficult situation that requires saving. Remember though, you had let out a squeal. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Based on a study published by Medical News Today<\/a>, dogs bark and whimper more when their owners appear to be in any situation of distress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Your pup is experiencing boredom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Before you start to have doubtful thoughts about this, yes, this is absolutely possible. This boredom sometimes comes with jealousy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your dog probably doesn\u2019t get enough playtime and that causes it to bother you instead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Have you recently been too occupied? Did you forget to go on a walk with your pooch? Did you feed it at the wrong time today? Have you been ignoring it a lot lately?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you answered yes to most of these questions, then you\u2019re likely guilty of withholding attention from your dog or completely denying it the much-needed attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In any case, moments, when we get very occupied with other things, are often inevitable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, there are many things you can do to keep your pooch from getting so bored.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can provide them with puzzle toys to entertain them, and chew toys to keep them occupied.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Your dog has anxiety<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

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When you notice your fur baby barking while you hug someone, one thing to be watchful of is anxiety. Your dog may be acting up because it is anxious.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some of the signs of anxiety in canines include non-stop barking, aggressiveness, drooling, destructive behavior, and restlessness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If this occurs in your dog, be sure to determine the reason for it in order to help them relax.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dive Deeper:<\/strong>
How To Calm An Aggressive Dog \u2013 10 Proven Ways<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

4. Your dog thinks you\u2019re fighting <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Another reason for this dog behavior is because your pooch thinks you\u2019re in a fight with the person you\u2019re hugging.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In your pup’s eyes, your hug may be translated to mean a fight or a struggle. Think about it, the position humans take when hugging is similar to that which dogs take when fighting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To end a fight between two dogs, a third dog often jumps into the middle in order to separate both fighting parties. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Humans tend to think that two dogs are fighting when they nibble <\/strong>on each other. It\u2019s the same thing with dogs when they see humans hugging.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dogs often see hugs as unacceptable behavior. That explains why they\u2019ll jump, bark and even get between you two when you hug, <\/strong>just to see to the fight end. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Your dog is protecting you<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

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Dogs, regardless of their size are typically known to be very protective of their owners. As a matter of fact, it\u2019s in their DNA. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They will go as far as growling, biting, and lunging in order to keep their owners safe. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When they see you in a hug, they think that you are being fought by a complete stranger, so their immediate reaction would be to shield you. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dogs tend to exhibit aggressive <\/strong>reactions to a potential threat \u2013 a behavior known as resource guarding<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This behavior occurs when your pooch reacts negatively to what they see as a threat to an object they cherish.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

6. You often reward your pooch  <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If there have been instances where you reward your pooch for barking at someone hugging you, your dog will likely repeat this behavior and turn it into a habit. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your fur baby thinks it\u2019s fine to bark at someone you\u2019re hugging because you may have given them rewards in the past without meaning to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this case, it is advisable to train your pooch and let it know that barking at someone you are hugging is unacceptable behavior. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition, ensure that your dog is involved in daily exercises that will release built-up energy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

7. Your pup is inquisitive <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dogs are naturally curious. That is why they will bark whenever they find you in a hug because that action seems strange to them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If your pooch is a puppy, it means they\u2019re not well exposed to hugging yet, which is why they will see it as an alien move. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, if your pooch has been living with you for years, it will definitely understand this as an act of affection. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A rescue dog, on the other hand, might find hugging to be strange. You might even notice them tilt their head to the side with a confused look. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nevertheless, they\u2019ll get used to seeing you hug people as they grow in your home. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

8. Your dog is seeking your attention<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

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If your dog is already used to seeing you hug people, you might find it barking because it needs the same attention you\u2019re giving to the person hugging you. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They could run to you during your hug in order to get noticed and given the same display of affection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can give your fur baby the attention it wants by:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

• Getting familiar with their body language,<\/li>
• Giving them toys to play with in your absence,<\/li>
• Taking them on walks,<\/li>
• Cuddling every morning and evening,<\/li>
• Praising or rewarding them when they\u2019ve been good.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n

  Dive Deeper:<\/strong>
  How To Bond With Your Dog \u2013 15 Easy Ways<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

  9. Your dog is confused<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

  The act of hugging is strange to all canines. As a matter of fact, they feel that their owner is trapped during a hug.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  They\u2019re probably thinking \u201cWhy are they even doing that? It\u2019s so weird.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

  You\u2019ll notice your dog\u2019s confusion when it barks repeatedly at the other person or when it becomes hyperactive and ignores all your commands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  10. Your dog feels threatened <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

  Certain dog breeds are very suspicious of strangers. They tend to bark when they see an unfamiliar person hugging their owner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  New people, as well as new situations, threaten them, which is why they will bark repeatedly due to confusion and worry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  Many dog owners have discovered that their pooch becomes extremely defensive around people who are unfamiliar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  However, some pet parents do not fully understand the reason for this behavior.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  The answer is quite simple \u2013 dogs feel immensely threatened when <\/strong>they see strangers around their owner, worse still, in a tight hug.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

  The next time you think: Why does my dog bark when I hug someone?<\/em> remember that dogs are naturally protective and will try to rescue their humans if they sense danger.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  Your pooch will always defend you regardless of the situation. For this reason, it is important to understand your dog\u2019s triggers and how to avoid them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  It is also advisable to train your dog to understand that hugging is harmless.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  Doing this will get your dog used to seeing you in a hug and reduce barking to a minimum.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  You May Also Like:<\/strong>
  Why Do Small Dogs Bark So Much? 5 Reasons & Solution<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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