Puppy not cuddly?

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LindzandOliver

Forums Novice
Hi, this is my first time posting, but I've been reading the boards for quite a few weeks now, thank you for all of the helpful contributions! I have a 10 week old sheltie boy named Oliver. We got him at 8 weeks and he's been adapting well- he's currently sitting next to me in his x-pen chomping away at a frozen washcloth.

I am completely in love with him, I think he's a doll. The only small concern is his lack of "cuddliness"- he doesn't appear to like to sit on a person's lap, or to be up on the couch with a us for more than a few seconds. He's very playful, and follows us around excitedly and gives lots of eye-contact, but just doesn't really like a lot of close physical touching. He'll certainly let us pet him, but often thinks it's a game and tries to nip at our hands when we reach for him. I'm completely OK with his aversion to cuddling, but my husband really wishes he were more of a love-y puppy, and says he's never had a dog that wouldn't sit in his lap before.

So, just want to get some opinions, is this normal for a pup his age? Do you think he'll grow out of it and someday become more amenable to cuddling? Or is this just his personality and he has other ways of showing his affection? Thanks so much!
 
Welcome! Glad you've joined. I am not sure about the cuddly-thing. My last sheltie was like that, he did not like to be held or cuddled, but would follow me around, loved to play etc. My two now, well, Chinook he does not mind being petted, but will not sit on my lap unless we are at someone's house and he feels uncomfortable. Maia, she loves being petted, especailly in the morning, but she will not really sit on my lap either. Yet, I do know of other shelties that do like to be cuddled and will stay on your lap. So I think it might be their personalities. Maybe someone else here with more experience with shelties will know.
 
It varies from dog to dog, and I think it can even be rather genetic. Aztec's mom was very, very cuddly...and both Aztec and his littermate, Janey are very cuddly! Aztec is one of the cuddliest dogs I have met. (Everytime I sit on the floor he comes over and climbs in my lap)

My border collie mix is not very cuddly, but enjoys pets from time to time. Sometimes a more dominant dog or puppy is more independant and does more on their own.

Squirmy puppies are hard to hold, but tired and sleepy puppies are much easier! Aztec slept in my lap a lot, and I think that is why he still likes it.
 
i can totally empathize

Gavin is and wasn't cuddly. As a puppy, all he wanted to do was play. He is now 3 and will only cuddle if I pull him onto my lap to snuggle and stays only as long as I want him to. He jumps on my bed in the middle of the night to sleep, but doesn't snuggle up to me. He does like hugs, but he acts like he's tolerating my affection. But if I ignore him for a few hours he mopes! I call him my independent boy...but he is very attached to me (it took a bit longer than I though, but he is definitely MY dog).

Cindy
 
Sounds normal to me..puppy is just to busy to cuddle!! LOL

My Abby was really bad..she would even growl at us when we tried to hold her close. I thought it was funny and called her Chewbacca when she did it. Then I got a little concerned with it...and really worked with her with it. Shes 5 years old now..and while I wouldn't say shes cuddley..she likes to be held and doesn't growl anymore..she does moan tho..LOL

Just make lap time fun and enjoyable...lots of happy stuff and few nummy treats won't hurt.
I agree..try the cuddle time when puppy is sleepy!!

woofs

Julie
Clancy & Abby
 
I agree with the snuggling a sleepy puppy. I went and visited my Duncan about a week ago (get him on Friday!!!) and after he played and played, I picked him up and gave him a cradle rub/massage that put him right to sleep. When Pierre was younger, I started the massage at night to let him know it was bed time. Every evening, he still gets his rub and loves it. It also helps if he is stressed by company or bad weather or something - I just rub his shoulders and ears and he relaxes. Then again, Papillons were bred as lap dogs, so he has a predisposition to cuddling. I think if you get him used to your touch in a way that he finds comforting and associates with warm, happy feelings (like falling asleep), he may warm up to the person who gives him the massage (so since your husband wants him to cuddle, perhaps he should give the massages?). Good luck! Maybe Oliver is just a stand-off guy, but getting him used to handling couldn't hurt!
 
My parent's sheltie was very snugly as a puppy and still is. Sadie, on the other hand has never been snugly. She very rarely wants to snuggle and had no time for snuggling at all when she was a pup :smile2:
 
My little Maizie is 8, She loves to be petted and sleep next to me...but she hates being held. The other puppers seem to like being held and being close. I know for my babies it was something that their past owners never encouraged (cuddling) I have had Maizie for 2 years now and am still working on the cuddle thing
 
I think it depends on the dogs personality. I've had some that are cuddly and some not. I have two shelties right now. Fergus who I got as a puppy two years ago is not very cuddly. I can cuddle him as long as I hold him on my lap but as soon as I let go he's gone.

Baxter who I got as a rescue just last Fri is a love bug. He loves being hugged and snuggled but right now at 53# is too big to be on my lap. Hope that can change in the near future. we're working on it.
 
Agreed with everyone here.

Two things:

1) A puppy who wants to play, won't settle for anything! Wait till pup is getting sleepy and try the cuddles then.

2) And yes, some like it more than others. It's just their personality. Some Shelties can be standoffish, so generally they pick their moments, not the other way around.

Your pup sounds just fine. 10 weeks! Boy, do I miss having a puppy!
 
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