I think it’s ok to set boundaries. I don’t want my dog jumping up because she can accidentally scratch or knock over little kids or elderly people. Over time she has kind of learned to come for a side snuggle hug with nuzzling, which pretty much everyone appreciates.
Yeah I think the size of the dog matters a lot in this equation
As long as your communication towards your dog is clear and consistent, they actually thrive with certain boundaries.
Most dogs associate the sensation of being pet with how their family licks them clean. The thought of using paws to return pets is unlikely.
If you want to break a dog’s habbit of jumping up, pawing at you, or getting overly excited at your return: ignore them. Do not pet them when you walk in the door. Do not give them any form of validation for several minutes, perhaps after they lay down.
I love dogs that try to pet you back. Used to know one who would walk up, give you a swipe, and then flop down with his tongue hanging halfway to his ear because then it was his turn for scratches and belly rubs. Master manipulator.
I had a dog that wouldn’t pet you, she’d just walk up to you, sit, and put 1 paw on your knee and stair strat into your eyes.
I had a dog that was a cat. She wanted affection, but it had to be her idea. And ONLY her idea. She could be walking up to the couch to hop in your lap, and if you saw it and invited her up she’d turn around and walk away, because she did NOT answer to your commands.
But then you’d be watching the TV and notice that you were petting the dog, and have no idea when she’d snuck alongside you for her cuddling.
She also was super attached to her dog bed we’d made out of an old suitcase. She did whatever she could to stay in it.
My dog gives hugs. If you get down on your knee, or if he’s on the bed to be tall enough, he’ll wrap his paws around your shoulders and pull you in. If you hug him back he’ll just stand there hugging you.
