I think my puppy dislikes me :(

[sprklnh2o]

This might sound crazy but is it possible that my puppy dislikes me? He doesn't like to cuddle with me, and when I walk near him he generally tries to run away from me. When I try to pet him or give him belly rubs, he gets up and walks away. He only seems excited to see me when I come home from work (for a total of maybe like, 10 seconds). My pup is a 4.5 month old male. I spend every free minute I have with him. I walk him twice a day for an hour each, I feed him his meals 3 times a day, I give him training before every meal, I play ball with him, I take him to the dog park. I never strike him, only firm voices and positive treat based training. I feel like I am doing everything straight from text books, yet he's not very affectionate and doesn't seem to care too much about me. It's almost like, my dog isn't very loyal to me....which is a bit disheartening considering how much time i spend with him. Don't get me wrong, I love him to death and would never give him away or anything. I am just wondering, is this his personality or is this how puppies are? Thanks in advance.

[marshies]

I know next to nothing about dogs, but I have heard that some dogs are just not cuddly. You could just have an independent little guy. But I'll leave it to other more experienced members to comment on whether there is a "problem".

[Lucy Dog]

Some dogs just aren't cuddlers and being only 4.5 months, he's probably still just a rambunctious puppy. It takes time to bond and for a dog to become affectionate. Puppies typically just want to play, play, play... there's not time to sit still and be pet. That's no fun for pups.

You sound like you're doing the right thing with him. Just keep doing what you're doing and give it time and be patient. By a year and when he's more mature mentally, he'll probably be attached to you by the hip.

[Holmeshx2]

well honestly at this age there isn't much need for "stern voices" there are a few instances where it might be ok but they are far and few between everything up til now should be happy happy happy. If he's happy to see you when you come home then he obviously likes you he just might be more independant. They have personalities like people my girl is SUPER cuddly like insanely cuddly even with people she just met she has been like this her entire life some dogs prefer their own space and are ok with a pat here and there. Some are more independant as a puppy but get a little more loving as they get older but never really want to be cuddled.

have you done any engagement training by any chance? If not I would definitely look it up it's amazing and a great way to bond with the dog.

[sprklnh2o]

Originally Posted by Holmeshx2

well honestly at this age there isn't much need for "stern voices" there are a few instances where it might be ok but they are far and few between everything up til now should be happy happy happy. If he's happy to see you when you come home then he obviously likes you he just might be more independant. They have personalities like people my girl is SUPER cuddly like insanely cuddly even with people she just met she has been like this her entire life some dogs prefer their own space and are ok with a pat here and there. Some are more independant as a puppy but get a little more loving as they get older but never really want to be cuddled.

have you done any engagement training by any chance? If not I would definitely look it up it's amazing and a great way to bond with the dog.

I did clicker training with treats when I first got him at 8 weeks old. He learned all the basic commands in 2 weeks. He's super smart. Now I have phased out the clicker and he still obeys the commands. He's very engaged when I am doing training with him. It just seems weird that even when I just wanted to sit next to him, he would get up and sit somewhere else. As if I stink or something (and I am pretty sure I don't). It seems like he just wants his own space....but everyone says GSD's are velcro dogs. Mine is the exact opposite!

[sprklnh2o]

Originally Posted by Lucy Dog

Some dogs just aren't cuddlers and being only 4.5 months, he's probably still just a rambunctious puppy. It takes time to bond and for a dog to become affectionate. Puppies typically just want to play, play, play... there's not time to sit still and be pet. That's no fun for pups.

You sound like you're doing the right thing with him. Just keep doing what you're doing and give it time and be patient. By a year and when he's more mature mentally, he'll probably be attached to you by the hip.

He is indeed very rambunctious. I guess I have to be more patient. We'll see what happens!

[Holmeshx2]

some do just want their own space and dont want you crowding it. Also clicker training and being engaged while training is different then engagement training. The engagement training you are working on NOTHING but engagement and its a blast for both dog and owner and heps create a rather strong bond.

[Micky]

I can just talk from my own experience with Stella which is now 1 year old, she never liked to cuddle, when I wanted to touch her she pulled away, everything was on her term. mostly she stayed away and came only slowly closer, well now she is 1 year and things changed around the 6-7 month, she cuddles in bed comes close on the couch still needs her alone time, but she is looking for me, keeping an eye on me all the time and I have no complains about cuddle time, hang in there I do believe that it will get better, they never be a lap dog, even Stella has moments were she thinks that she is

[bocron]

My current girl, Uma, is now 11 months old. I got her at 8 weeks. She was never very cuddly, and for the first few months I had her she was kind of stand offish, if that makes sense. She spent all day, every day with me (I own a dog park and dog daycare, so she comes to work with me). She absolutely HATED to be picked up and especially hated to be held like a baby and would thrash and fight for all she was worth. She did love to work, though, she loves doing obedience and loves to track, so I just kept doing that. Well somewhere around 6-8 months she fell in love with me, totally and completely. She now can't stand if I'm not within view, if she knows I'm around she is by my side. She is fine being left in the crate, and doesn't have any anxiety about that.
She now will roll over and ask for belly rubs and will even hop up on the couch and put her head in my lap. It was a hard earned love, but she has become my heart dog. She was never scared or spooky about affection, she just looked at you like "do I know you?" LOL. Anyway, keep working with your pup, maybe get involved in a sport of some sort. My Uma got really into me when we started doing bitework at Schutzhund, it's like she decided we were partners and knew that I was behind her.
The funny thing is my husband tried to cuddle her the other day, the way he cuddles his girl, (who is Uma's niece) and Uma about killed herself and him trying to put a stop to it LOL.
Annette

[bianca]

With my girl when she was that young, the only time she would allow cuddles was when she was dead tired. She is 2 now and is super duper affectionate, so perhaps she will 'grow into' it too?