Can you love your dog too much?

Question

I don't spoil my dog with too much food, pampering etc.
but sometimes I feel like giving him a hug and he usually responds with loving squirms and kisses (sticky licks).

However, occasionally he runs away and hides from me, under the settee is a favourite spot. It can't be anything to do with mistrust as I 've had him for all his adult years.

Do you think it is because I have disturbed his day-dreams or maybe because he is in a bad mood about something?

Answer 1

you have probably disturbed him and he wants a little bit of piece and quiet!
some dogs thrive on human contact others can take it or leave it-my cocker thrives on human contact and wants to be with me every minute of every day-he prefers to sleep laying under my legs or by my feet and when i move he moves too! although he is likened to velcro he will quite happily stay in his crate when i have to go out, he just curls up and goes to sleep as he knows i will be back soon. my heeler loves to be with me too although not to the extent that she is stuck to my legs-she likes to have her 'quiet time' and prefers to sleep in her bed at times.
personally i do not see hugging as dominance at all! neither do my dogs for that matter! in fact my dogs will jump on the settee to be with me and they will shove their heads through my arms to initiate a hug and cuddles with plenty of sloppy cocker kisses and dainty heeler kisses! they will then proceed to go to sleep with their heads on my knees!

Answer 2

Well, it's difficult to judge without having seen exactly how the dog reacts around you.

A hug is usually a dominant behaviour to dogs. Your dog trusts you enough to let you hug him, but it doesn't sound as if he's comfortable with it, he squirms and kisses. While licking is a sign of affection, it is also a sign of submission, so you're performing a dominant behaviour and your dog is licking you to show you that he is friendly and submissive.

His occasional hiding is probably because the whole thing becomes too much for him, dogs feel more secure when they hide.

The majority of dogs are not dominant or striving for dominance, most of them are perfectly happy and content to be a lower ranking member of the pack. Having a good leader and knowing one's place means security and less stress. However, having a very dominant leader with a non-dominant dog that suddenly displays increased dominance, can make the dog a bit insecure.

How are you as a pack leader? Do you play with your dog and make sure you have some buddy time? Is every aspect of the way you interact with your dog dominant (do you go out the door first, eat first, decide when you play, go outside, rest?)

How is your body language? Do you have what is called a good posture, deep voice, always keep your eyes wide open when dealing with your dog? All these are dominant signs, so you might be constantly displaying dominance without realising it. While I doubt your dog is afraid of you, you might just be coming on a bit too strong for him regarding dominance displays and behaviour.

Another option, since it seems as if you have not had him all his life, is that something in your behaviour occasionally triggers a bad memory. It could be a certain movement, a sound, the shirt you're wearing, the amount of day light...anything really. The only way to find out is to write down the exact circumstances everytime your dog runs and hides and try to find any common features.

Or a third option. How old is he? Could he be going deaf or blind and not have noticed your approach. I know of an old dog, who is doing fine, but who doesn't hear that well anymore, and he can get a bit of a fright sometimes, if he's lost in his own thoughts/distracted and he doesn't notice people coming close to him which is why we usually yell his name when we can see him not paying attention as we go near him :)

Answer 3

Your dog sees you as pack leader & this affection you show him confuses him. He wants to get away from you because the signals you are giving him in dog language means that you are treating him like he is pack leader. He clearly isn't. He can't deal with it as he is obviously a good natured dog who understands the pecking order & doesn't want to rock the boat. Instead of over powering him with affection of hugs you need to stroke him on on his chest & round his ears. This are none threatening movements & very soothing for him. He will trust you more & won't bolt for the settee.

Answer 4

Your dog is probably going through a phase. This happens at different times in a dog's life, just like people! Another thing is he might be playing with yo. Dogs LOVE to play even if they are old. Just make sure you don't go away on a vacation without either taking your dog or leaving it with someone trustworthy because leaving your dog with someone he doesn't know may cause him to feel you don't love him.

Answer 5

Remember when you were younger and your mom, an aunt or your grandma would hug you/kiss you/pinch your cheek too much and you just had to get away for a break? I don't think you can love your dog too much but you can overdo the hugging - dogs like having their own space sometimes too.

Answer 6

No you cant love your dog too much but think you can spoil them with treats and tit bits. Of all the badness in the world and all the idiots who mistreat thier pets I think loving your dog is a good thing. Good on ya

Answer 7

dogs have different personalities just like humans. some days he just might not feel in the mood for a hug. i know my dog is a bit hit & miss when it comes to affection but he's always been a bit of a victor meldrew!

Answer 8

You can't love your dog too much. It's impossible. lol. When he runs is his tail wagging? Then he's playful. If you lean over him and hug him it could remind him of a former owner if that brings back a bad memory. Leaning over a dog is a dominant stance. Otherwise I don't know

Answer 9

Sitting or lying under an object creates a den like atmosphere to him. He feels safe and secure. Not that he doesn't feel safe or secure with you...he just wants to be left alone for awhile.

Answer 10

You can never love your pet to much. And dogs love showing there appreciation for it. But sometimes they just don't want to be bothered just like humans. Make sure you give him his space.