Elyse Posted March 14, 2012 Report Share Posted March 14, 2012 So, I've always assumed this has to do with dominance, but Suka's not cuddly at all. He doesn't act like all the other huskies seem to do on here, where they'll curl up beside you or lay down in bed with you. He's the exact opposite. If I lay down beside him so I can pet him, he growls and moves away. If I (lightly) hug him for a 'long' period of time ('long' being 10 seconds or more), he starts to squirm and if I still don't let go he growls. If I try to gently rough-house, he growls and goes away. If I invite him on MY bed, and then I try to lay down beside him, he growls and jumps off. Nor does he do any of the above by himself; if I'm on the bed then he won't get on even when I invite him up. He isn't very affectionate, the only way I know he 'likes' me is when he licks me a few times during the day (when I'm home) or that he usually follows me around when I'm home. Otherwise, I would think he isn't my dog! Again, I'm assuming this is all dominance, but he sees me as the 'Alpha' so I don't know WHY he still does it? Or, because he growls and then moves AWAY, maybe that means he's just not a friendly husky... Even when bribed with food, he still acts like a grouch. And 'playful moods' don't exist when it comes to Suka. He'll 'play' with a toy for maybe...20 seconds TOPS, and then he's done with it for a few days. Even with new toys he's like that. I'm also thinking it might be because he was abused in the past, but we've had him for 3 years...you'd think he would completely trust us by now! So - what do you guys think is the problem? Or do you think its just a dominance related thing? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephona Posted March 14, 2012 Report Share Posted March 14, 2012 I don't think it's dominance related. Personally, I think it's just his personality combined with the way he has been raised. Mine, when a puppy, used to be the same way. He was friendly, licked us, played with us, but in the end, he just refused to cuddle with us. If you started to pet him while he was lying down, he wasn't happy. He would get off the bed if you invited there and started cuddling with him and he really hated being hugged and backed out of it every time. He didn't really enjoy being petted either, in general. He was a bit strange in that sense, he really did not enjoy physical human contact. We kept doing these things and tried to associate all of them with something positive. Not treats, because he would go crazy for them and miss the whole point, but he's always enjoyed being spoken to in a happy, baby voice so whenever we wanted to pet him/cuddle with him we did that and also tried to be playful during those times, so that he would start to enjoy them more. One of the key things is you have to be the one to break the "affectionate moment", so to speak. Basically, interrupting it before he gets the chance to get bored with you (or too annoyed). So, if you associate it with something good and keep it short, these moments will start to have more value in his eyes. It's always a good idea to give him something good (not something substantial, but maybe just a treat) after you made an attempt at cuddling with him. Also, you can trick him into interacting with you and get him to come closer to you (you could for example trick him into rolling over closer to you). You can also condition him to like being petted - when he is lying down, you can lie next to him, pet him and after each stroke give him a treat. Of course, you should get up and leave before he gets growly, but these short moments will at least intrigue him and gradually you can increase the time. It's the same with play - if he gets bored within 20 seconds, stop play after 10 seconds. Even if he only gets excited for 20 seconds, that's still a starting point and if you are the one to stop play rather than allowing him to get bored with it, you can actually increase the time he is interested in the toy. Any dog can be trained to be more affectionate (or at least tolerate human affection better). I think Suka just doesn't have a very playful personality and if the people that raised him weren't interested in playing with him or trying to make him used to human contact, it makes sense that he behaves like that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Povodny Posted March 14, 2012 Report Share Posted March 14, 2012 Our girls would get inside your jumper for a cuddle if they could, the boys are more distant but they've all been brought up the same. Loki just licks your hand occasionally and likes to sit by your feet. If I cuddle Togo he backs off with whoa whoa noises. Perhaps your dog just isn't demonstrative and let's you know in more subtle ways he loves you to pieces Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shadow01 Posted March 14, 2012 Report Share Posted March 14, 2012 Aslan is exactly the same, then again Shadow was too. They are just naturally aloof. The other 2, especially Dax and real cuddle bunnies. I suppose its just like people really, some of us like attention, while others dont Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rosemary Posted March 14, 2012 Report Share Posted March 14, 2012 Micah loves attention, she doesn't like to be held tightly but will tolerate a quick hug. She loves to cuddle with her Dad. Ozzy on the other hand (sigh), is not very affectionate - I have learned to curb my enthusiasm for hugs and kisses. If I approach him and he wags his tail, I am allowed a hug and kisses, but he will never lie on the sofa like Nanci's gorgeous boys Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kech Posted March 14, 2012 Report Share Posted March 14, 2012 Macy has her ritual in the morning where she'll sit next to my wife when she gets out of bed to receive a lengthy scratch from head to toe. It's so funny to watch cause she'll close her eyes and start drooling during the process... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Removed #2 Posted March 14, 2012 Report Share Posted March 14, 2012 Obviously, my boys are cuddle monsters, but then, neither of them had any affection before coming to us. Andy was in impound before rescue for killing a cat, and his people (even the one that returned him!) never understood him it seems....Jack was raised on a chain in a front yard. He was aloof at first, and now he can't have enough touching, rubbing, scratching. Jack getting on the couch like the recent photo is rare (thus, the photo), but I think they both do it out of jealousy and wanting more attention. Jessy will chatter at us to no end, and when you cuddle her, she just doesn't shut up. It's all on her terms. We've always let them come to us, and are usually the ones to stop it when it's been enough, or they try to turn on the alpha status. I think they are just all different because our Stormy girl was not much of a snuggler until her old age!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RoseWillow&Dexter Posted March 14, 2012 Report Share Posted March 14, 2012 I have 2 cuddle monsters, Willow is always near us, sitting or sleeping. Dexters happy to go off and sit by himself but he is definitly up for a cuddle! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elyse Posted March 14, 2012 Author Report Share Posted March 14, 2012 Any other opinions, guys? I guess when I envisioned getting a husky before I adopted Suka, I read that they were supposed to be really affectionate and cuddled up with you regularly...so I'm a little disappointed in the fact that Suka's aloof. Oh well - I love him all the same! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ponder85 Posted March 14, 2012 Report Share Posted March 14, 2012 Suka sounds like my gsd. She will follow us around the house, and once we settle into a room, she goes away from us. She usually stays in the same room. Shes two years old, and we have only had her six months. We got her from a couple that was moving, and we don't think she had much attention as a puppy. She is always happy to hop in bed with us. Sometimes she will come to us and nudge our hands to pet her, but it's usually on her terms. She has gotten better recently. Shes still not a big fan of hugs, but she tolerates them from me I think like someone else said, it comes down to the personality of the dog. My gsd is not dominant. My husky was affectionate from the moment he picked us out at the pound. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
valkyries Posted March 14, 2012 Report Share Posted March 14, 2012 my Thor is a rescue he's been with us for 2 years now, we have to leave him to come to us but even then it's for a stroke or a scratch if we cuddle him he backs right off, only in the last few months as he started to get up on the settee next to us but will not lay his head on you, he always looks the other way. Try to cuddle him and he'll get down and walk away, he's not really playfull with the other two and is not interested in toys. He will chew up a rope now and then but if you try to play tug he will stop let go and walk away, he does love the brush and will stand for hours being brushed. he likes his own space mostly under the desk, if we call him he wont come, if e go to him he waks away you have to let him come to you xxxx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephona Posted March 14, 2012 Report Share Posted March 14, 2012 To be honest, I was quite disappointed with mine as well because he disliked cuddling, but I had always wanted a dog that would be affectionate! Anyway, I just told myself that even though I can't really change his personality, he will at least have to learn to tolerate cuddles and generally, human contact. After all, I suppose that after paying for his food, toys, treatments etc, we, the humans, deserve to get our way from time to time. I just refuse to have a dog that won't show me any affection past licking and jumping on me when I get home! Well, he is not that bad anymore, but he is not the cuddliest dog on Earth either. For the most part of his first year, he would just be content lying down across the room and just watch us, rather than come up to us to either be petted, scratched or cuddled with so I definitely appreciate the improvement. I know that for dogs, these things don't really hold any meaning and just because they don't behave in a very affectionate manner, it doesn't mean they don't love us, but obviously, it's hard not to feel disappointed when that's the one thing you want in return from your dog! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emma Posted March 14, 2012 Report Share Posted March 14, 2012 Bear is a rescue pup. She obviously had never been handled much before as it took her weeks to work out what strokes were about. She used to look confused when we tried. She will now roll over for a belly rub and is fine with having her ruff and backs of ears fussed too but only one side at a time. You try both and she jerks away. she accepts strokes now but doesn't smile at you, just watches your hand. She likes to sleep close to us but just out of reach, so she'll sleep under our bed and always greets us in the morning with flat ears, wagging tail, and a muzzle rub. (she won't lick us, instead she rubs her muzzle against us. Quite sweet but she does lick our youngest child sometimes? Work that out!) I think this is because she had poor socialisation at the start and didn't really know what affection was or how to give it. We know she loves us, she goes nuts if we leave her sight! And we certainly all love her! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saintlysinner :-) Posted March 14, 2012 Report Share Posted March 14, 2012 I have noticed Shylah loves to be be petted or a scratch on her chest is worth millions to her...yet when i go in for a cuddle she breaks free, so she is no snuggle bunny yet my GSD loves to be cuddled, she comes over and lays her head in my lap when she wants affection yet Shylah gives me no signals as of yet ( she still a baby ) though i go in for a cuddle whilst scratching her chest and she seem's quite happy with that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brady Posted March 15, 2012 Report Share Posted March 15, 2012 Sherlock isn't a big cuddler either.. And when it is, it's on his terms.. Though he's gotten a lot better as he's older (he used to growl at me as a puppy) - but usually you can tell he's just suffering through it with a long-suffering sigh haha. But, he's more attached and affectionate since getting neutered. His favorite cuddling with me is when I sit down on the floor, and then he races over and puts his head in my lap. The other day he cuddled with me for half an hour on the couch without once trying to get away - and I swear that was some sort of record. And he does follow us around the house more than he used to. Maybe it will change with Suka still. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brady Posted March 15, 2012 Report Share Posted March 15, 2012 To be honest, I was quite disappointed with mine as well because he disliked cuddling, but I had always wanted a dog that would be affectionate! Anyway, I just told myself that even though I can't really change his personality, he will at least have to learn to tolerate cuddles and generally, human contact. After all, I suppose that after paying for his food, toys, treatments etc, we, the humans, deserve to get our way from time to time. I just refuse to have a dog that won't show me any affection past licking and jumping on me when I get home! Well, he is not that bad anymore, but he is not the cuddliest dog on Earth either. For the most part of his first year, he would just be content lying down across the room and just watch us, rather than come up to us to either be petted, scratched or cuddled with so I definitely appreciate the improvement. I know that for dogs, these things don't really hold any meaning and just because they don't behave in a very affectionate manner, it doesn't mean they don't love us, but obviously, it's hard not to feel disappointed when that's the one thing you want in return from your dog! That is exactly how I felt/feel.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
donttakeemoff316 Posted March 16, 2012 Report Share Posted March 16, 2012 I think the answer is pretty simple. He just doesn't like being smothered. About 4 months ago I bought a husky pup, a little girl. She was and still is a total pain in the ass. I would get frustrated that she didn't want to play with me all the time or like to cuddle. Eventually I started accepting that she just didn't want to be smothered by a person. I started pushing her to cuddle less and she started loosening up. I started to try and understand her mannerisms a bit more, she was and is a more rowdy dog, so I started playing tug with her, chasing her, wrestling and I think it really brought out her playful and friendly side. She wants to play with me all day long now, but still does not like to cuddle unless its on her terms (which isn't very often). She sleeps my room with me and usually sleeps on the floor as we fall asleep, and eventually makes her way on to the bed in the middle of the night. Each dog has their own personality, its hard to force something on them they don't like. Try some different things with him, see if you can find something he really likes doing. On another note, at least with my husky, what I thought was growling a lot of the time was really her just being vocal. Huskies are so expressive and talkative, sometimes it does sound like a growl. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lavs Posted March 16, 2012 Report Share Posted March 16, 2012 So, I've always assumed this has to do with dominance, but Suka's not cuddly at all. He doesn't act like all the other huskies seem to do on here, where they'll curl up beside you or lay down in bed with you. He's the exact opposite. If I lay down beside him so I can pet him, he growls and moves away. If I (lightly) hug him for a 'long' period of time ('long' being 10 seconds or more), he starts to squirm and if I still don't let go he growls. If I try to gently rough-house, he growls and goes away. If I invite him on MY bed, and then I try to lay down beside him, he growls and jumps off. Nor does he do any of the above by himself; if I'm on the bed then he won't get on even when I invite him up. He isn't very affectionate, the only way I know he 'likes' me is when he licks me a few times during the day (when I'm home) or that he usually follows me around when I'm home. Otherwise, I would think he isn't my dog! Again, I'm assuming this is all dominance, but he sees me as the 'Alpha' so I don't know WHY he still does it? Or, because he growls and then moves AWAY, maybe that means he's just not a friendly husky... Even when bribed with food, he still acts like a grouch. And 'playful moods' don't exist when it comes to Suka. He'll 'play' with a toy for maybe...20 seconds TOPS, and then he's done with it for a few days. Even with new toys he's like that. I'm also thinking it might be because he was abused in the past, but we've had him for 3 years...you'd think he would completely trust us by now! So - what do you guys think is the problem? Or do you think its just a dominance related thing? my little girl has never been too snuggly. she sleeps on my boots at our door, whereas hammer would sleep on my lap if he could fit. only during last nights thunder storm did she get up beside me on the couch, so at least she come to me when shes nervous. other than that i get a few kisses when i wake up or get home and she follows me everywhere but she's def not a big suck like hammer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elyse Posted March 16, 2012 Author Report Share Posted March 16, 2012 I think the answer is pretty simple. He just doesn't like being smothered. About 4 months ago I bought a husky pup, a little girl. She was and still is a total pain in the ass. I would get frustrated that she didn't want to play with me all the time or like to cuddle. Eventually I started accepting that she just didn't want to be smothered by a person. I started pushing her to cuddle less and she started loosening up. I started to try and understand her mannerisms a bit more, she was and is a more rowdy dog, so I started playing tug with her, chasing her, wrestling and I think it really brought out her playful and friendly side. She wants to play with me all day long now, but still does not like to cuddle unless its on her terms (which isn't very often). She sleeps my room with me and usually sleeps on the floor as we fall asleep, and eventually makes her way on to the bed in the middle of the night. Each dog has their own personality, its hard to force something on them they don't like. Try some different things with him, see if you can find something he really likes doing. On another note, at least with my husky, what I thought was growling a lot of the time was really her just being vocal. Huskies are so expressive and talkative, sometimes it does sound like a growl. He likes playing 'catch' with his treats and he likes playing hide and seek with his treats. Basically, he likes anything to do with food...so I might try to make up some more food-related games. Thanks for the idea! No, he was definitely growling. I could feel it in his chest, and he pins his ears back and 'glares' at me with his eyes...so he's definitely not pleased. And he's not vocal/talkative, so I know that whenever he does make noise, it's usually important. my little girl has never been too snuggly. she sleeps on my boots at our door, whereas hammer would sleep on my lap if he could fit. only during last nights thunder storm did she get up beside me on the couch, so at least she come to me when shes nervous. other than that i get a few kisses when i wake up or get home and she follows me everywhere but she's def not a big suck like hammer. Yeah, the thing is, he doesn't go towards me if he's scared of something (which, honestly, he isn't scared of very much). And, if he is scared of something, he usually goes off and hides on his own. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mydiamond Posted March 17, 2012 Report Share Posted March 17, 2012 Hey, this is interesting! I don't know if this is true or not, but maybe all huskies with abusive past is like that? Diamond doesn't growl, but he's not really cuddly either. He might follow me wherever I go but he doesn't come close and have his "snuggly" moments O_O Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueWolf Posted March 17, 2012 Report Share Posted March 17, 2012 Glala is not cuddly with people either. Well, that's what Ruth told because I appear to be the exception, she's REALLY cuddly when she want to (but she decides when it starts). At first I wanted to say that to prove huskies can be not cuddly even though they are not abused, but then it got me thinking. Glala has problems being touched by strangers, or touched anywhere that is not her head (again - I seem to be the exception). As a pup she had caught some kind of disease that made her sick for a very long time. As a result she had to visit the vet numerous times and around that time she decided to stop trusting humans. According to Ruth she has really grown back her confidence since the moment I first met her. She loves and greets everyone, the only thing strangers can't do is touching her on places like her back or her belly. Her paws are a no-go for everyone Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sutsibe Posted March 17, 2012 Report Share Posted March 17, 2012 Some Siberians are just very independent. It seems to me that the ones who are more inclined to choose their moments and ways for affection are usually quite intelligent, and consider themselves to be "adult people" ---note: NOT "human" - just an independent "person" who is adamantly capable of making decisions for themselves! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robke Posted March 17, 2012 Report Share Posted March 17, 2012 Mine will only cuddle when they want to, Bindi about twice a day for about 30 seconds each, Alpha want a little bit longer and more often.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueWolf Posted March 17, 2012 Report Share Posted March 17, 2012 Mine will only cuddle when they want to, Bindi about twice a day for about 30 seconds each, Alpha want a little bit longer and more often.... I would still like to meet them one day.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robke Posted March 17, 2012 Report Share Posted March 17, 2012 Oh we will...Di would want to go to the beach with them before it is not allowed any more for the summer.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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