Do you like to cuddle up with your dog?
I do like to cuddle my dogs, but they all have a different level of “cuddliness” I know, it’s not a word, but you know what I mean.
Some of them could cuddle all day long; some would come for five minutes and then go. And some will look at me like: “you are so needy!”
My first dog Ajo, wouldn’t cuddle with us on a sofa until he was very old. However, at night, he would curl up by my feet and sleep there all night.
My Hovawarts Cherry and Blondie loved cuddles! Even though they were big dogs, they loved sleeping curled up on my lap or stretched by me in my bed.
My current dogs are all different. My Scotties Martha and Tank were no cuddle dogs for years. They would sit with us for a few minutes and then lie on their bed or by the door. Especially Tank, he loves a bit of draft! But now they are older; they love cuddles. They will curl up next to me, on me, or the top of the sofa like a neck warmer.
When it comes to my special boy Richard, he is still trying to figure out how to cuddle. By now, age 4, he made a little progress, and on very rare occasions, he would curl up next to me. However, since he was a puppy, his favorite position was to put his front paws on me or a sofa, lean on me, and stare lovingly into my face.
And Adele and Tinker Bell? They love cuddles! They demand them! They can’t get enough!
Why does cuddling feel so good?
When you cuddle with someone you care about (like your dog), your body releases the hormone oxytocin. Oxytocin calms you down; it can help block pain signals, lower the “stress” hormone cortisol levels, and help you sleep.
Should you cuddle your dog?
Despite all the benefits of cuddling, your dog might not like it. Don’t take it personally. And definitely don’t force him! Let him choose where he wants to rest and sleep and if he wants company or not.
We have a few dog beds in the house to give our dogs enough choice and variety for where they want to sleep. We also allow them on the sofa. And it’s up to them if they’re going to sleep alone, cuddle with each other, or cuddle with us.
When I sit on the sofa in the evening, I always hope one of my dogs will come for cuddles. There are evenings when no one will come, and another time I end up with four dogs on my lap. And I’m happy either way!
Does your dog like cuddles?
Jitka xx