Do I have cute aggression? Today you will find out how to deal with it!
Have you ever felt excited or even thrilled to see a cute dog? Ever felt like pinching his cheeks and hugging him tight?
If the answer is yes, then you may have cute aggression.
Although this name sounds scary, don’t worry, it doesn’t mean you want to hurt your dog.
Generally, people who have cute aggression feel like squeezing their pets because they are too cute.
Below, you will find out if you have cute aggression and what to do about it:
What is Cute Aggression?
Cute aggression is the desire to squeeze, bite, or pinch something very cute, but not wanting to cause harm.
This type of behavior is common with dogs that have more childlike characteristics, such as a Pomeranian and Shih Tzu.
Some people may express their feelings in a distorted way, such as showing reactions considered negative in positive situations. Examples of this are when people cry at a wedding or scream loudly when they see an artist they are a fan of.
Some research links cute aggression to caring behaviors with feeling overwhelmed.
This means that people who display cute aggression tend to reproduce this type of behavior on many occasions, not just in relation to a dog.
How do I know if I have this kind of cute aggression?
The best way to find out if you have cute aggression is to watch your body language.
When you see a pup, do you grind your teeth and feel like hugging him really hard?
If the answer to that question is yes, you may have cute aggression.
There are other signs that are common for this type of behavior, such as jaw tensions and the incessant urge to pinch and squeeze cute things.
According to experts, cute aggression is neither a disease nor a violent behavior. It’s just a human reaction to seeing something really cute.
Read More: How to Socialize an Aggressive Dog
What are the dangers of cute aggression?
If you don’t carry out these aggressive impulses, you’re not harming any animals.
Cute aggression is nothing more than a desire. And most people have the self-control not to squeeze a dog too hard, as they know it can hurt them.
Biting or squeezing an animal too hard is not cute aggression, but animal abuse.
What can I do to reduce this behavior?
Using self-control to stifle this reaction is the best way to deal with cute aggression because you don’t want to hurt or scare the dog.
There are dogs that are more introspective and don’t feel comfortable being pet by strangers, so it’s essential to ask the owner’s permission before approaching.
When hugging a dog, remember to watch for any signs of stress, such as panting or licking your lips.
Although adorable, dogs need to be comfortable with our interactions.
Read More: How Do I Know If My Dog Is Happy?
What if my child shows this type of aggression?
Dogs feel threatened when they are hugged too tightly. And their response may be to bite or attack.
For this reason, it is very important to teach children that they should never hug or try to catch or pull a dog’s tail. You should always supervise any interactions your child has with a dog.
A good alternative option is to gift the child a teddy bear so that he learns to interact with the dog correctly and safely.
Final Conclusions – Cute Aggression
Cute aggression is a normal desire that many people have towards cute things like babies and animals.
This type of behavior is normal. However, it is necessary to have self-control so as not to risk hurting or stressing your dog.
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