Affection Question

[Jordan & Daisy]

I am curious! I am always hearing people say their doodles love to cuddle, are so affectionate, etc. But..Daisy is not super affectionate, she is kind of independent!! She prefers sleeping in her own corner of the couch or in the kitchen, rather than next to us, on our laps, etc. She is very affectionate when we first get home and also right before bed but other than that she likes to go play with her toys or sleep in the kitchen. She used to follow me in and out of every single room and now she only follows me if it's time to eat-lol! 

Just curious if others have a doodle like ours. I wonder if it will change as she gets older or if it will get worse!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

JD is not a cuddler, either. He likes belly rubs and butt scratches, but if you're not petting or scratching, he doesn't stay right near you. He's always been pretty independent and is often in another room when I am busy and not paying attention to him. He also usually refuses to share my bed; he likes lying on my bed when I'm not in it, but when I go to bed, he usually gets down and sleeps on his own bed or the floor. I try not to let this hurt my feelings, lol. 

As he is getting older (he's 9 and a half), he seems to want to be near me more.

My last dog, a miniature poodle, was the same way. In fact, she was worse: she wouldn't even sleep in my room for most of her life. However, when she got older (past 10), she also started sleeping on my bed and wanting to be near me more.

Personally, I think an independent dog is a secure dog, and a secure dog is a good thing. :)

[Jennifer and Lily]

Lily is very independent. She likes to be in the same room as me, but not necessarily close to me. She typically lays on the opposite side of the couch, on her bed, or somewhere on the floor during the day. She sometimes sits next to us on the couch, but only because she wants to share a pillow to rest her head on LOL! She will lay with me for a little bit at bed time, but always moves to her bed for most of the night. The only time she constantly seeks my attention is when I am dog sitting for a neighbor. She wants them, and me to know that I am hers. One thing that she does that warms my heart, wherever she is laying she will look up and search the room and once she sees me she settles back down. I like to think it's her way of saying I love you. 

[Jordan & Daisy]

You guys, I am laughing out loud because these descriptions are sooo Daisy!!! I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one with an independent doodle. I also agree, Karen, about the security thing. My husband and I joke that she is not afraid of anyone or anything, no matter how big or small, she is definitely not the separation anxiety type!!! Thanks for your posts.

[Carol and Banjo]

Banjo is not affectionate either....nor is he a lap dog. He likes to be near us....and follows me from room to room. He kisses strangers, but rarely kisses us. I recall a couple of years ago posting a similar concern. At the time, I think I was feeling a little bad that he wasn't a snuggler like some of the dogs I'd read about.   I've gotten over that....his love for us is clearly evident and we ARE a pack.

[Becka]

I agree with what others are saying here--independence can also mean security. At home, Sadie likes to know where I am, and often likes to sleep in whichever room I'm in, but she doesn't need to be on top of me or touching me. However, when we visited my mom last summer I left here there for three weeks, and when I returned she never let me out of her sight, slept on the bed with me every night, and snuggled on the couch with me whenever I sat there. It was kind of nice, but I'm also kind of glad that she went back to her own version of "normal" when we got home.

[Adina P]

Rosco was a very independent as a pup.  But he's very snuggly now.  So it's a coin toss...your pup might grow up to be snuggly or stay more independent.  I think obedience training where you work together to learn something and he starts to se you as a leader in his life may actually increase affection.  But that could just be the way Rosco was.

[Marni and Hanna]

OMD!  Had to log in and comment when I read this !  Hanna is not a cuddler either.  (eventhough I would love her to be!) IF she lays down by me, its because I call her over, and it usually only lasts about 15 min or so, then she is off to sleep by herself.  Even as a young puppy her favorite place to nap was under the kitchen table against the wall!  She is definately NOT a lap dog, and she never will be.  She also very seldom kisses us, but loves up a complete stranger when we are out shopping!  Go figure !  She does like her version of "cuddles" every so often, but then when she has had her fill, she decides she is done and moves on ! lol!  Even when we were in CGC class and I had to leave her with someone else and be "out of sight" for 3 minutes, everyone else in the class was very concerned about passing that one--I knew Hanna wouldnt even blink--and she didnt !  She does like to know where we are, and I also think she is getting a bit more "attached" (thats a very loose term!) as she gets older--shes now about 3.5. She seems to visually check in to one of us more often then she used to when we are with a group of friends, so I take that as a good sign?!  I guess when it comes down to it, I would rather have her this way then an extreme anxiety type that rips the house apart when we are gone!  I too keep telling myself she is a happily secure, confident (but submissive) dog, and hoping that is a healthy balance! : )

[Jordan & Daisy]

I am loving these posts! I thought I was alone lol, it feels like everyone writes about what cuddle-bugs their doodles are and mine is off in her own world!!! She does like a belly rub and will do ANYthing for treats though. ;)

[Marni and Hanna]

Yeah, I love these posts too.  Hanna may not be real showy in her affection for us, but sometimes you see those big brown eyes that smile up at you when you are doing her favorite things (heading out for a run a 6am, shopping and eating at our favorite outdoor restaurants, and just "hanging out" with her) and you can tell there is no place in the world she would rather be than right there beside you (not touching you though! lol! ), then you are just fine without the crazy kisses and snuggles, and you know she has you wrapped right around her big hairy paws!

 

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

My guys have their "moods".  Sometimes they seem content to just do their own thing and other times they'll lie right at my feet.  I really like that they can be independent...I think it shows confidence.

[Debb, Lucy & Oscar]

I have one of each. Lucy, who is very independent and likes attention/affection at the same times as Daisy, on her terms and for very short periods of time, and Oscar, who is VERY cuddly and affectionate, and has no qualms about lying in your lap (at 65+ lbs!). Lucy seemed to get a bit more affectionate as she matured, or maybe she just learned to tolerate it more with age...lol. Not sure. It has not gotten worse as she's gotten older, though.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Ned is NOT a cuddler.  He never has been actually.  He is friendly, he cruises by, he sleeps on our bed, but he does not enjoy sitting on a lap for more that a few seconds, except when we have taken him by himself on a trip.  Then he 'touches bases' and sits on a lap.