How to Train Your Dog to Hug
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Introduction
Training their cuddly K9 to give a hug makes pet parents feel warm and fuzzy inside. Not only is it a neat trick to show off to friends, but it’s also another way to enjoy some affection from their pupper. And no one will argue that if you’re having a bad day, it’s great to come home to a warm hug from your best furry pal.
Dogs naturally love learning and performing tricks like these, as they keep their mind stimulated and strengthens the bond with their people. Teaching your dog to give hugs can be fun and give you another way the two of you can share affection. With the following methods, you'll be getting hugged by your canine bestie in no time!
Need a little help with your dog training adventure? Book an in-home or digital dog training session through the Wag! app.
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Defining Tasks
Training your puppy to give you a hug is actually pretty simple, but it still takes time and patience. Practice going through the steps for a few minutes everyday to really help engrain it in your dog’s brain. It’s a good idea to only go through the steps a maximum of three times per session, or stop if your pup gets too jumpy or starts to nip.
You can teach variations of the hug, whether it’s getting your dog to just nuzzle their head into your neck, or place their paws on your shoulders. Both are woofderful! The method that you choose will depend on your dog's abilities and your preference.
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Getting Started
Anytime that you’re planning on starting a training session with your pup, you’ll want to make sure it’s a calm and peaceful environment. Conveniently, this trick can be done anywhere. It’s a great way to make use of a rainy day indoors when your pup can’t make it to the dog park.
To begin, you’ll definitely want to have some treats on hand for your good boy or girl. It’s also helpful to use a leash, especially if you’re outside or your pup just loves to run around.
If you’re training a puppy, remember that they’re really just an infant. You’ll need to show consideration for their mental or physical limitations. Be patient, and shorten the training sessions if necessary. Keep in mind that if your dog is injured, has joint issues or is skeletally challenged, like certain giant breeds, they may not be able to comfortably place their paws on your shoulders. In that case it may be best to use the neck nuzzle method. If your pup keeps refusing, it may be best to move onto a different trick altogether.
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The Neck Nuzzle Method
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Get down on their level
Get down on the floor so that you’re eye level with your pup. Have them sitting in front of you, calmly if pawssible. Enjoy a moment of sweet, sweet eye contact if you wish.
Position the treat
Take your puppy's favorite treat, and hold it behind your head, around your neck. Hold it right where you want them to nuzzle you. Your doggo likely won’t be able to resist, and will move their nose closer towards the treat.
Reward
Once your pal goes for the treat, allow them to nibble it a little first, then give it to them. Repeat this hand cue of holding the treat by your neck a couple times to reinforce it.
Name it
Now you can start adding a verbal cue to the trick, like “hug”, “love me” or “snuggle”. Repeat the same action, use your chosen verbal cue, and give them the treat.
Repeat
Keep repeating step number four so they can learn the verbal cue. Slowly start to increase the duration by making them wait a few seconds with their nose in position before giving them the treat. Patience puppers!
Verbal cue only
Once your dog is consistently nailing the previous steps, you can start using just the verbal cue and giving them the treat afterwards. Be sure to wait after you give the verbal cue to give your dog time to think about what they’re supposed to do. Resist the urge to repeat the cue over and over if they’re not getting it. If they’re still struggling to understand, go back to using the hand/verbal cue combo from step four until they have that down. With some practice, they should be able to give your neck a hug with just a verbal command.
The Paws on Shoulders Method
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Kneel on the ground
Kneel on the ground, and get your best pal to sit square in front of you. Make sure you’re in a position that if your dog hugs you a little enthusiastically, you won’t lose your balance. If your dog has figured out you have treats, you’ll probably have their full attention.
Place the paws
Gently place their paws on your shoulders, like they’re giving you a nice warm hug.
Release
Say “okay” to release your pup, and gently let them down off your shoulders. Reward your good boy or girl with a treat!
Name it
Now you can repeat the action while using a verbal cue. Some pet parents choose words like the ones previously mentioned, “hug”, “love me”, or “snuggle”. Feel free to get creative and make up your own!
Sign it
A lot of dogs learn well with sign language, or hand cues. You can try tapping your chest with both hands, or crossing your arms, then repeat steps 2 and 3.
Repeat
Repetition for emphasis. Give them lots of attention and rewards when they can repeat the action successfully. Remember that some doggos just don’t have the mobility to do this trick, so if they seem to be struggling, you can always go back to the neck nuzzle method. Practice makes pawfect with this trick, and you and your pup are sure to enjoy the learning process.
Written by Jasmine Sawatzky
Veterinary reviewed by:
Published: 09/09/2022, edited: 09/09/2022
