Dear Lab friends, My name is Moses and I’m going to be two years old in October. I am disappointing my people who got me as a baby, because I am not very affectionate and move away most of the time when I am petted. I am very interested in being around them and am never far from them if I have the choice. When I DO infrequently show affection I tend to give them very wet and smelly kisses and bite a little (they ask me not to do that). I guess I can be pretty aloof and self-centered. Is there something wrong with me? Is there something we can do to get me to be happier toward my people and more affectionate? ~ Moses, Chocolate Labrador
I think it varies a lot from dog to dog. Cooper snuggles with my wife more than me, but she plays with me more. Our second Lab Tilly was not a snuggly dog though she did like having her ears scratched and chest rubbed. Ginger would lie on the floor and let me use her for a pillow. Dog kisses shouldn't be smelly though. Cooper doesn't lick a lot, but I never mind it when she does. Moses sounds like he needs more hand fed dog treats.
Thanks. Not sure why the bad breath. It’s been that way since he came to us. I’ll mention it to our vet. Moses just doesn’t want to comply I think. I’ll take your suggestion and work more with him with treats. I really appreciate your reply. Each dog is an individual. I guess it’s a crap shoot re:snuggle bugs and independent types. i’ll
Moses is showing affection by staying near you I would reinforce that by giving him a nice pet. Does he like to be brushed? Tummy rubs? You could put a cushion next to the sofa or chair where you sit to relax and train "place" and stay? And reach down every so often and pet him.
Thank you so much for responding Athena. I hadn’t thought about his constant proximity as being his way of loving. He gets tons of love, belly rubs, play and has places to be close. He tends to back away from us at times though - maybe he just wants affection on his own terms. That’s OK. I think he will eventually get what his is all about. . P.S. Not a good idea to compare him to my daughter’s golden doodle who is ALLLL wiggle butt.
Hi! I've had my Lab 6 months (who will be 3 this year) and only this month has he started to show affection towards me and my boyfriend. As people have said above, laying beside you or near you is a sign of affection, they're choosing to be near you . Have you ever had him checked over at the vet? My Lab has IBD, which means he often suffers from a bloated belly and what I imagine is discomfort and soreness; understandably making him not want to be touched or not be in the mood for an excited greeting or to be waggy and happy all the time. Otto has always chosen to lay beside me, or over my feet, but he's choosing to come over to me now, and will interact with me if I get silly with him on the floor. Playing games is another good way we've bonded. This past week he's actually wagged when my boyfriend has talked to him and stroked him, and it's been a big cause of celebration for us! Hang in there, he does love you, he may just need to find other ways to start showing it
