We have become hooked on social media. If you're reading this right now, it's proof that you to, are hooked on being connected. That's fine when it comes to you and me. But as we are flooded with false news, we are also flooded with pet nonsense.

I can't tell you the number of times I have clicked on an article on social media that might be titled "Does you dog like to be hugged?" or "Are you petting your dog wrong?" These ad laden articles really don't offer any substantial information that can actually help you. They are designed to make you read a caption, under a picture, surrounded by ads for everything you can imagine, including other bogus articles titled to make you want to know the next best bit of information.

The article about hugging your dog suggests they hate it and gave all kinds of reasons why. But, only after going through a bunch of other nonsense first. But, let's focus on the hug.

If you've been reading my blogs you'll know we have four dogs. Two we have had since they were little puppies and the two Yorkshire Terriers were adult rescues from a puppy mill. The two dogs we raised since puppydom love to be hugged. They want you to pick them up, squeeze them a little, talk to them, and show them special attention. They learned what a pleasure it can be to be picked up and hugged. The two Yorkies were only handled when they needed to be bred. The male was abused. He is an attention sponge with my wife and me, glued to us as though he fears we could evaporate at any time. But, when you reach for him he cowers, terrified of the unknown consequences of the touch. Once you touch him and he realizes that the contact is positive, he turns into a sweetheart. The female is more tolerant, but trembles when you hold her. Now, as they live with us longer they get more hug tolerant, but we take it slow to not to give them any sort of PTHD (Post Traumatic Hug Disorder).

The article on petting your dog wrong suggests that dogs don't like you to touch their head or the tops of their back because it is a sign of dominance and they hate it. Wait...what? My male Gangsta Dog, raised from a mere morsel of a mutt, is one of those who will throw his head under your hand. He will expertly shovel his snout under your hand and pop it up so that it lands on his head. He doesn't want, he demands to be pet on the top of his head and his back. His life experiences have told him that the drug known as "petting" puts him into an ecstatic state of euphoria only trumped by the taste of fresh bacon.

Dogs learn how we offer affection. They accept it and relish in it. So, the next time you think you are reading something and you wonder if it is accurate, look around. If you see ads around it for some of the most outlandish stuff, or articles associated with things so absurd you have to read them, then you have a good chance that what you are reading is rubbish.

Do yourself and your dog a favor. When that happens, go pet them. Or better yet, give them a gentle hug. They learn that from you. They don't read social media...they know better!