Hello everyone! Been a while since I've been active - my final year at university is kicking my butt, but Stampy is growing up beautifully. He's a real little gentleman! I just wanted to check a little thing about cuddles. Stampy is allowed on the outside couches (it's the only soft thing he'll lie on here), and when I'm outside, I'll sit on it and call him up. He'll grab a toy to chew, hop up with me and pretty much cover me in puppy until he's comfortable, which I love! If I'm there, he won't lie still until he is touching me in some way (usually sprawled across my legs... so cuddly!). Problem is, the rest of my family isn't as fond of cuddles as I am. He's never tried to climb on them, even if they're sitting on his couch, but I'm still a bit worried I could be confusing him by being inconsistent to the rest of the household. I really don't want him to start jumping on the rest of them, so I wanted to know if I should start discouraging cuddles, or if it's okay because he seems to only try to sit on me? He's been like this for a good few weeks now, btw. Thanks for any advice! Hope you're all well
It sounds as if Stampy is well able to recognise you as the Cuddly One and ignore the boring ones. If it were me, I'd keep on cuddling.
Ah if he's not bothering anyone don't give up on the cuddles,one of the best bits of having a dog! They are discerning creatures ,Dexter jumps up on me when I walk in the door and I've never discouraged it But he wouldn't jump up on anyone else ,something that i actively trained ....good luck with your Course,I hope it's not breaking your brain too much x
Hi Stampy, good luck with the uni work. Harley behaves differently with DH and myself. DH has a far more rough and tumble play style with her, which she loves, but I don't play like that at all and I will play with toys and will spend more time cuddling and stroking etc. It took her a bit of trial and error but like Dexter says, they are able to figure it out. Enjoy the cuddling, you need it with all the studying as much as he does
They do learn to differentiate. Harley plays gentle with me and snuggles me, but will play rough with my OH. She also jumps at a few friends and my step dad, but never jumps up at my mum or brother. I love cuddles personally.
Yes, I'm sure too that he knows who will respond and who will not. In our house my OH is terrible at feeding the dog from his plate at supper time. OH was away one night last week and I ate my supper in isolation, no pets came to sit beside me or anywhere near me. They know I won't feed them. Maybe I should, so I won't be lonely.
We both like cuddles, but don't let Holly on the furniture (apart from our bed). To resolve this we got a big cushion and sit on the floor with her. She's quite happy snuggling across OH or me on the cushion. Good luck with your final year.
Pongo has never had any trouble understanding that there are some things he does with OH and other things he does with me. I wouldn't worry about it at all. If the rest of your family don't like him sitting on them, they just need to tell him so and he'll figure it out very fast. Enjoy your cuddles (and give him one from me!) Rosie
As others have said our pups are pretty good at knowing who they can do stuff with and who they can't. Bailey and my OH have rough and tumble play, which I don't do, but I'm the one for cuddles and sleeping on at night. OH does not like Bailey laying on his legs when in bed for example, but it does not bother me, and I often wake up with Bailey snuggled into me and over at least one of my legs. I personally love the cuddles and wouldn't give them up for anything!
Sounds like he's worked it out. Definitely don't give up the doggie cuddles Everyone else needs to get with the cuddle program!
I think it's great you and Stampy can share these special times and if he's not doing it to anyone else, then can't see there's a problem. My older Lab Sky has never been encouraged to jump up on us but we have cuddles everyday and I have now started this with the puppy Red. My husband will give both dogs more of the rough and tumble play individually and once he's sitting on the floor, he will let them jump all over him, lick his face and head (!) - enjoyed by all . I am looking forward to when both dogs are fully integrated and they can share playtime with him.
They learn acceptable behaviour based on who they are dealing with. I don't think you're confusing him. Cuddle away. i prefer to give affection when he's calm and on my terms. But I love it and he does now more and more too. He has a soft mouth thank god.
I don't see anything wrong when a dog gets to attach on a single person. You're the only one who loves to cuddle up with him, that only means that the dog feels secure with you.
