German Shepherd dogs possess many fascinating characteristics, including intelligence and loyalty. But are German Shepherd Dogs affectionate? Prospective pet owners hoping to adopt a German Shepherd might wonder if these pups like to cuddle.
German Shepherds like to cuddle, particularly if they received plenty of affection from their owners during their puppy years. Socialization is also crucial to raising a cuddly German Shepherd. Still, older dogs that haven’t been socialized may only cuddle with their owners or family members.
Let’s explore the factors that influence a German Shepherd’s love for cuddling and steps you can take to make your dog more comfortable with cuddling if they’re not particularly fond of it.
Why German Shepherds Like To Cuddle
German Shepherds cuddle for several different reasons. Some of the most common reasons why they enjoy cuddling include:
- Warmth and comfort
- Stress relief
- Attention and affection
- Safety and security
- To protect you
German Shepherds Cuddle for Warmth and Comfort
No matter the age or size of your German Shepherd, they will still feel cold at different points of their life. Despite the German Shepherd’s thick double coat, illness and long-term exposure to the elements can cause German Shepherds to catch a cold. When cold, your dog will try to get warm by cuddling up to you.
Cuddling Helps Them Relieve Stress
Your German Shepherd could also be cuddling with you because they feel stressed. A study published by Science Mag showed that the amount of oxytocin in dogs rises significantly when their human owners cuddle, hold gazes, or talk to them.
Oxytocin, popularly known as the “love hormone,” helps to determine how dogs bond. Therefore, more oxytocin means more social and affiliative behavior towards their owners and other dogs. Studies show that acts like cuddling your dog, holding long gases with it, and patting it can positively affect oxytocin levels.
Note that beyond cuddling, your German Shepherd can also experience significant stress relief when you talk to them or maintain eye contact with them. They’ll also come to you for cuddling when they perceive that you are stressed.
They Value Your Affection And Attention
Dogs are social creatures, which is why wild dogs live in packs. As a result, it’s often easy for them to create and maintain social bonds with their loved ones.
German Shepherds are particularly loyal, and they naturally seek the affection, comfort, and approval of their human owners. Socializing pups from a young age makes them more comfortable cuddling with their human family members. (You may also want to read: Are Male or Female German Shepherds more affectionate? )
Cuddling Gives Them The Feel Of Security When Sleeping
Wild animals generally feel vulnerable when they are sleeping. Your German Shepherd may not be wild anymore, but they still feel this vulnerability when they close their eyes to sleep.
Therefore, you should not be surprised when your dog snuggles up to you to sleep because they feel more secure sleeping around you. Even when awake, your German Shepherd may crawl up to you for some cuddling when they feel unsafe or threatened.
They Want To Protect You
It’s not surprising that German Shepherds are among the most loyal and protective dogs, partly due to their genetic history as shepherding dogs. German Shepherds have always been strong dogs with an impressive level of agility and loyalty. These are part of the reasons why early breeders trusted them as the perfect hunting companion. They could go extra to protect their owners, and this includes cuddling you to alert you of potential dangers.
Nonetheless, it’s essential that German Shepherds are trained appropriately. Proper training and early socialization make them more caring and less aggressive. On the other hand, an untrained German Shepherd can easily become a threat to their owner and other people.
Factors That Can Influence Your German Shepherd’s Love For Cuddling
Several factors can influence your German Shepherd’s cuddling habits. For example, puppies that are regularly socialized are more likely to cuddle. Proper training and positive reinforcement may also increase the likelihood of your dog coming in for a cuddle.
But it’s also essential to look at other factors like training, overall health, and puppyhood experience when determining why your German Shepherd loves cuddling so much.
Puppyhood Experience
A dog’s puppyhood can significantly influence their adult behaviors. For example, continually depriving puppies of socialization opportunities (meeting and interacting with new people and dogs) can significantly shape their behavior, making them aggressive and overprotective.
Naturally, dogs show less affection for people they don’t trust. That’s why it’s crucial to socialize your puppy and shower them with affection, especially during the first few months of their life.
Training And Discipline Method
Two leading schools of thought exist to explain dog training: negative reinforcement and positive reinforcement.
Negative training typically involves punishing your dog for undesirable behaviors, while positive training involves rewarding desired behaviors.
Generally, dog owners believe that positive training methods can facilitate the bond between dogs and owners. Therefore, dogs that receive plenty of praises, pats, treats, and toys for positive behaviors are more likely to develop the confidence to cuddle up with their owners.
We recommend using these Wag Treats from Amazon to reward your dog’s good behaviors. It’s also an excellent option in getting your dog’s attention. It contains quality ingredients to help a dog’s growth, so using it creates a win-win situation for you and your dog.
Health
If your German Shepherd isn’t cuddling with you, they might be ill or injured. Illnesses can cause your dog to want to be alone. However, you must be careful to avoid overlapping signs of illnesses with signs of bonding issues between you and your dog.
If your German Shepherd suddenly changes from cuddling up with you to just lying there when they see you, it could be a sign of ill health. The smartest thing to do after trying in vain to deal with your dog’s sudden disdain for cuddling is to talk to their veterinarian about it.
Tips To Get Your German Shepherd More Comfortable With Cuddling
After you’ve ruled out any health issues, you now know that your German Shepherd’s disdain for cuddling may be behavioral, and you might wonder how you can improve their love for cuddling. Here are a few things you can try:
- Use positive reinforcement. This method involves rewarding favorable behaviors that you want your dog to continue. You can reward your German Shepherd with treats, pats, or toys every time they cuddle with you.
- Not punishing them. Punishing your dog can make them less affectionate and more hostile to you. While punishing your German Shepherd may force them to stop a particular bad behavior, it also increases their distrust for you. Therefore, forcing them to stay away from you, and I suggest avoiding punishments as much as possible if you want your dog to be more cuddly.
- Show them more affection. The best way to make your German Shepherd more affectionate is by showing them more affection. Try spending time with your dog and cuddling them once in a while. If they notice that you like it, they’ll likely continue to come over for more cuddling with you.
Final Thoughts
German Shepherds with a good upbringing generally enjoy the affection of their owners, therefore, they’ll likely spend time cuddling with you. However, different factors can cause them to become aggressive and hostile. If this is the case, proper training and positive reinforcement may increase the likelihood of your dog coming in for a cuddle.