None of my GSDs as puppies wanted to cuddle, just too busy exploring the world. Some never do and are satisfied to just be nearby. Is your pup purebred? There's something about his adorable face that makes me think he's mixed with something.

 

She is SUPER busy! She’s always moving and even when she’s very tried she tries to fight sleep till the bitter end. It’s quite funny actually. We have to put her to bed like a kid and she’s usually upset for 15 seconds then asleep.
She is actually purebred. She’s solid German and Czech lines going back as far as the records go.
I don’t need a super cuddly dog but I I’m hoping I don’t always get nips every time I want to give her some love either.

 

none of my GSDs liked to cuddle. They learned to accept hugs from me if I keep them short. But they sure do like being nearby and keeping an eye on what we are doing. And sometimes they'll lay next to us. But when it comes to being touched and petted they are more like cats in dog suits.

 

Now that resonated. “Cats in dog suits.” She’s very dog like in some ways but when it comes to touch she does pull away or whip around like a cat would. I hope she gets a bit less sensitive with age though.

 

They're not lap dogs. They consider themselves to be way to important to cuddle. BUT they will follow you around, flop next to you and make excellent foot rests. One cannot go up or down the stairs without an escort and don't make any plans for bathroom privacy, you have to be monitored.

CUTE pup.

 

They…make excellent foot rests.

🤣

 

From what I've seen, most GSDs dont like to cuddle, especially as puppies. They tend to be aloof dogs who wanna have a space of their own, but are extremely loyal.

That being said, you'll definitely get the odd balls who love to cuddle, my GSD is one, kind of, he doesn't like to be coddled, but he does love to curl up next to my head and rest his on my shoulder, or will sometimes let me lay an arm over him and nap, curl himself around me, etc.
I wouldn't say he's lap dog level, but he does like to be close and is very affectionate.

 

I received rare cuddle moments with Zeppelin as a puppy. Now as an adult, he actually “requests” cuddles and on rare occasion won’t settle until you get down on the floor with him and hold him in your lap with gentle pets (challenging now with him at 95lbs). Then he takes himself to his crate for the night lol. He’s a special guy.

for you - Maybe in time, or maybe not! Enjoy your pup for who he is in the present moment. He will change a lot as he grows.

 

I’m hoping she grows up to be a love requester! But I’ll take her however she is. She’s super cool and smart!

 

They don’t have the time or patience to cuddle at that age.
They become more affectionate when they get old.

 

When he grows up you can remind him of all the times you wanted to cuddle and he didn't as you close the door to the bathroom. He will be laying at the door waiting.
I have one who grew to love pets and praise. I get an occasional head in my lap that makes me very happy. I think he simply gets to warm he lays close by.
My other is a 60 pound snuggle bug. He isn't double coated (think that's the correct term) and gets cold.
They give affection and light up your life in many ways as they grow up.

 

With this breed, it’s hit or miss on whether or not they are cuddlers. As puppies they are too busy exploring the world, some as they get older may cuddle but i wouldn’t count on it. Nadja is kind of cuddly, her version of a cuddle is to sit on the couch with her head on my lap, but that’s after a long day of play and running.

 

while all of mine have been pretty affectionate… only one has enjoyed cuddling, and he was just an all around sweet and special dog anyway.

 

Deja can't get enough of cuddling but when you mention something like play or work, she jumps up and you have to take cover. Just enjoy the puppy stage. The little devils grow into angels at some point but you have to work hard to earn it.

 

What a cute baby dog! This came up a lot between 10-16 weeks with Rosie. She still isn't "cuddly" at 20 weeks, but a couple times a day, she crawls into my lap for love. Usually first thing in the AM when I let her out of the crate, when you'd think she needs to go outside. Nope she wants to curl right on my lap and close her eyes for a few more minutes. Same thing before crate time in the PM. My wife gets a little jealous sometimes most of the time however, she's just happy being next to us. For reference, she is 50% GSD, 30% Husky, 20% Akita, nothing generally affectionate...

 

Thank you! We’re very proud puppy parents and think she’s so cute too!
Your dog sounds so cute! I hope mine gets a schedule like that. Wanting little cuddle moments at different times of the day. Its funny though because this morning she crawled into my lap and I was thinking “It’s happening!” And then after 30 seconds she got mouthy, bit me and scampered away. We’re working on it! 🤷🏻‍♀️

 

Thank you! We’re very proud puppy parents and think she’s so cute too!
Your dog sounds so cute! I hope mine gets a schedule like that. Wanting little cuddle moments at different times of the day. Its funny though because this morning she crawled into my lap and I was thinking “It’s happening!” And then after 30 seconds she got mouthy, bit me and scampered away. We’re working on it! 🤷🏻‍♀️

we're new to this puppy life, for sure, especially a predominantly German shepherd puppy, but in our experience the mouthiness got better kind of quickly. we have 5 benebones, a couple rope toys, some tennis balls, and some other tug toys within reach at ALL times to fill her mouth when necessary. If it's chewing on things, grannicks bitter apple spray works wonders for our home. she hasn't ruined anything since we starting spraying it

 

we're new to this puppy life, for sure, especially a predominantly German shepherd puppy, but in our experience the mouthiness got better kind of quickly. we have 5 benebones, a couple rope toys, some tennis balls, and some other tug toys within reach at ALL times to fill her mouth when necessary. If it's chewing on things, grannicks bitter apple spray works wonders for our home. she hasn't ruined anything since we starting spraying it

Wr have a ton of benebones, balls, and other chew toys and she still nips us. She’s not destructive to the house at all just to my hands and ankles. And she seems like like the bitter apple spray so that’s fun. Are there other sprays that people know of?

 

The lack of cuddling was one of the hardest things for me to get used to as a new German Shepherd owner.

As a young dog, maybe three months to a year, he had this goofy bedtime routine. When I went to bed, all of my other dogs, would hop into bed and curl up behind my legs. Instead, Ole would do a lap around the house to check on everything, pick up a bone and a toy or two, and lie down in the hall where all the bedroom doors meet. I would fall asleep to the sound of him contentedly chewing on his bone.

Ole will play all day. But, he just doesn't care for snuggling. However, if I am home, 90% of the time we can see each other. 100% of the time we can hear each other.

They show affection and loyalty in their own quirky ways.

 

Gabriel is 15 months old now and has never been a cuddle dog!! He will sometimes lay his head on my lap or arm and that is a cuddle from him , on his terms only! and when he lays at my feet I quite often get a paw on my leg and I consider that a sign of affection as well. But for actually getting to give him a hug and a love , nope, fights it all the way. Everything is on his terms. We do get followed to the bathroom and up and down the stairs, usually has to see what we are up too, and I am quite used to this now. ( I had read about that and knew what to expect, and I can say it was a little un nerving to get watched in the bathroom, but like I said, used to it now)

 

Kairos isn’t typically a cuddler. However, in the morning she gets what we call her “good morning song”. Only then will she lean into you or lay in your lap while getting her good morning rub down.

 

all these posts are funny, and true. I consider my pup fairly affectionate when she wants to be, but I have more success getting her to sit still for nail clippings then I would for a cuddle.

 

Same! She’s super smart and attentive and willing to do anything I ask…except let me love her. If I try to give her some love. I get some bites and whining.

 

Star didn't like to cuddle as a pup, but when she got older, she would come and look at me, asking permission to put her paws up on my lap. When I gave her the okay, we'd then have a nice hug and cuddle session, while her rear stayed on the floor. She was much too big to be a lap dog!

 

GSD aren't generally cuddle dogs, you got the wrong breed for that.
Mine love attention though, morning butt rubs, hip massages, brushing, ear rubs, wrestling, hip checks, body slams, head butts but cuddling that equals restraint/lack of freedom/personal space is not often sought. They love to sit/lay by you but not on you (warm blooded dbl coated hairy beasts)

Love and loyalty are expressed in a myriad of other ways.

 

Some dogs are just naturally shy. They're afraid of new things and unfamiliar places. They may even be afraid of their own reflection.

 

Fern just started to realize that laying down on the human's bed is fun. She was very stoked to find out that she can watch me up close and get head pats at the same time. The bad part is she has a bit of attitude these days... She was leaning on my leg and I moved it because my foot was going numb. She gave me the most annoyed look and sighed super loud. My bad I guess?

 

Hi, my 8 year old boy is only getting around to coming up for a cuddle now and again now. But when he was puppy he wouldn't be having it at all. I have spoken to other GSD owners and they have confirmed the same behaviour, mostly. I put it down to that they have figured out your the boss and let's face it, none of us hug our bosses but when we have a good relationship with the boss, we are respectful? Maybe that's it. Take her outside and when she is being all independent like and ignoring you, hide behind a tree or something for a couple of seconds. You will see how much she needs you when she starts looking for you!

 

On a related note. I had a black lab that never once in his life did he lay done facing me! He was the biggest snuggler you could possibly imagine. But, he would always to lie down with his back or butt towards me.

What a weirdo Something must have been happening in his dog brain.

 

On a related note. I had a black lab that never once in his life did he lay done facing me! He was the biggest snuggler you could possibly imagine. But, he would always to lie down with his back or butt towards me.

What a weirdo Something must have been happening in his dog brain.

Well, they can't scratch their own shoulders or above their tail by themselves you know ....

 

I have a cat that loves to cuddle. When I lie down on the sofa at night to watch TV, he considers it my duty to provide him with a place on my lap, so he can be petted. I can't sit for long on the sofa, as it's gotten saggy with age, and bothers my arthritic hip, so I have to lie down.

Anyway, I was just getting up the other morning, and B.J. had just had some attention, when Eska came over and wanted her fair share. In order for me to stroke her, she had her butt within B.J.'s reach. At first, I though he was going to jump on her back, but instead, he swatted her bum, then it looked like he BIT her!

She immediately whirled around, and they started their usual sparring match, which happens several times a day.

I swear, I think the cat was jealous of her getting attention! 🤣

 

my gsd doesn't like cuddles ever since he was 9 weeks old, he loves his family just doesn't like to cuddle or hugs.

 

Keefer was super cuddly, even from a young age. He wasn't allowed on the furniture so I'd sit on the floor with him and he'd immediately come sit in my lap. I had to hold him away from me with one arm to brush him because he'd lean against me and I couldn't get to that side. He was a big, sweet mush of a dog and would have smeared himself all over me like peanut butter if I let him, and he loved hugs, from anyone, not just us. His half sister Dena was a cuddler too. I love this photo of him getting a hug from my husband, you can see how relaxed and comfortable he is:



Halo as a puppy was too busy being ...... busy to cuddle. But that changed as she matured. She slept in her crate in our bedroom at night, but would always jump up on the bed for cuddles before going in the crate for the night. When we traveled for flyball tournaments she's stretch out next to me on the bed and spoon. One time when she was still fairly young we'd taken the dogs to the beach and ran and swam their butts off. She wasn't allowed on the furniture yet (she later "fixed" that rule 😅) but I was laying on the couch reading after we'd gotten home and she was so tired she climbed up and laid on top of me to cuddle. It was so cute that I let her stay. And whenever she didn't feel good she would come to me for comfort. Eventually we went from "no dogs on the couch" to "only by invitation", to "okay fine, whatever", lol.

Cava is a cuddly girl, she curls up next to me on the couch every evening.

 

Annie actually shies away when I go to pet her if she is in "work" mode. She is 16 months now. She is definitely not a "thirsty" dog 😀