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Cuddling with your australian shepherd might be one of the best parts of your day. But does your aussie feel the same way about it? Sometimes your australian shepherd really likes to cuddle but other times they want to do anything but cuddle.
What’s that all about?
Do Australian Shepherds Like To Cuddle?
Yes, australian shepherds do like to cuddle. They are considerably social dogs that enjoy being close with their owner. Many australian shepherds learned to like cuddling because they did it often when they were a puppy. It also makes them feel happy, safe and secure.
In this post you’ll discover:
- The top 5 reasons why australian shepherds like to cuddle
- 7 reasons why australian shepherds don’t like to cuddle (Most reasons have nothing to do with you!)
- 4 reasons why cuddling is phenomenal for both you and your australian shepherd
- And much, much more
Let’s jump right in.
Table of Contents
Top 5 Reasons Why Australian Shepherds Like To Cuddle
1) It’s Quality 1-On-1 Time With You
During the week, you’re gone for most of the day at work.
Which really limits the amount of quality 1-on-1 time your aussie gets to spend with you.
This means once you come home and get yourself situated on the couch, they really want to cuddle up next to you to spend time with you.
Cuddling is one way your australian shepherd shows their affection for you.
They want to snuggle up as close as possible to you because they love you so much and want to enjoy being close to you now that you’re home.
2) It Releases Happy Hormones
When your aussie cuddles with you, it triggers the release of happy hormones like oxytocin and serotonin in their body.
These hormones are known for creating feelings of happiness, trust and love.
So your australian shepherd likes cuddling with you because it makes them feel good.
Which makes them associate being close to you as a positive experience they can’t get enough of.
The more time spent cuddling next to you, the better they feel. Simple as that.
Related Reading: Top 8 Best Beds For Australian Shepherd
3) It Makes Them Feel Safe & Secure
Cuddling also makes australian shepherds feel safe and secure.
They like your scent and the warmth of your body next to theirs makes them feel more comforted and at ease.
This is especially true for puppies who are still getting used to their new surroundings and need that extra bit of reassurance from you that everything is going to be okay.
(Which will follow them into adulthood if they do it often while a young pup)
When they’re feeling scared or anxious, cuddling with you can help them calm down and relax so they can get some well-needed rest.
It’s like their own little security blanket that makes them feel better.
4) It’s What They’re Used To
For some australian shepherds cuddling is simply a habit they’ve gotten used to.
Since they were a young pup you’ve probably cuddled with them which has created this habit of cuddling whenever you’re sitting still.
They get kisses, a nice head/back/bum scratch, and most important, they get some of your attention.
Which is obviously a very enjoyable experience for them and is why it’s become something they do often and have become used to it.
Related Reading: Are Australian Shepherds High Maintenance? (Explained!)
5) They’re Happy You’re Home
This one is pretty self explanatory.
Your aussie is happy you’re home because they’ve been alone all day without you and have missed you.
So of course they want to spend as much time with you as possible and cuddling is a great way to do that!
They want to be close to you, share your warmth, and just enjoy your company.
They’ve had enough of being alone and want to cuddle up next to you for as much time as you’ll allow.
Related Reading: 14 Real Reasons Why Australian Shepherds Wiggle
7 Reasons Why Australian Shepherds Don’t Like To Cuddle
1) Injured/Not 100%
If your australian shepherd is injured or not feeling 100%, they may not want to cuddle.
This is because they aren’t feeling their best and just want to rest/recover without being disturbed.
They may even growl or snap at you if you try to cuddle them when they’re not in the mood for it.
So it’s best to just leave them alone and let them rest until they’re feeling better.
(This can also be true for senior australian shepherds who may not feel up to cuddling as much as they used to)
In these cases, it’s best to just respect their space and give them the time they need to recover.
It’s important to keep in mind it’s nothing against you, they just are uncomfortable at the moment.
2) Traumatic Past
Some australian shepherds come from traumatic pasts where they may have been abused or neglected.
This can make it difficult for them to trust people, which can make cuddling a very difficult thing for them to do.
They may be afraid of being hurt again or simply don’t know how to process the emotions that come with being close to someone.
It’s important to be patient with them and understand that it will take time for them to feel comfortable enough to cuddle.
If you force the issue, it will only make things worse and further damage their trust in you.
Give them space and time, and eventually they may come around on their own.
3) Didn’t Do It As a Puppy
If your australian shepherd didn’t do much cuddling as a puppy, they may be unfamiliar with the concept and not really know how to do it or want to do it.
This can make them hesitant or even scared of cuddling because they don’t understand what it is or why you’d do it.
Again, patience is key here.
Slowly introduce them to cuddling and make it a positive experience for them.
Show them that there’s nothing to be afraid of and that cuddling is a good thing.
Once they get used to it, they may start trying to cuddle with you more often than not.
4) They’re Full Of Energy
If your australian shepherd is full of energy, they may not want to cuddle.
This is because they’re in the middle of doing something and don’t want to stop to rest/cuddle.
They may be playing, running around, or just being rowdy and active.
In these cases it’s best to let them burn off some of their energy first before trying to cuddle.
Once they’ve calmed down a bit, they may be more receptive to cuddling.
Otherwise you’ll just end up getting knocked over or pushed away!
5) Unique Personality
It’s important to remember that all australian shepherds are different and have their own unique personalities.
Some australian shepherds simply don’t like to cuddle, no matter what you do.
It’s not personal, they just don’t enjoy it or prefer other forms of affection.
6) Haven’t Warmed Up To You Quite Yet
Your australian shepherd may not want to cuddle with you because they aren’t quite sure about you yet.
They may be hesitant to get close to you or just don’t know what to make of you.
It’s important that you give them time to get to know and trust you.
Also understand that it may take a while before they’re comfortable cuddling.
Don’t get discouraged if it takes a while, just keep being friendly and loving towards them.
Eventually they’ll come around.
7) Showing Their Age
As australian shepherds age, they may not like to cuddle as much as they used to.
This is because they may have more aches and pains that don’t make it as much of a comfortable, enjoyable experience it once was.
They also might get too warm too quickly when cuddling which makes it less enjoyable for them.
In these cases, it’s best to just respect their space and understand that there’s no hard feelings.
Some pups stop enjoying cuddling as they get into their senior years and it’s simply because it’s more difficult for them to get comfortable in their older age.
4 Reasons Why Cuddling Is Great For Both You & Your Australian Shepherd
If your australian shepherd enjoys cuddling, or you think you can help them come around on cuddling, there are many positive reasons why cuddling is great for both of you.
1) Helps You Both Relax
When you cuddle with your australian shepherd, it helps both of you relax.
It’s a great way to de-stress and unwind after a long day.
Plus, the close contact is beneficial for both of you mentally and emotionally.
Cuddling releases oxytocin which is sometimes called the “cuddle hormone” because it makes you feel happy and content.
It’s a great way to bond with your pup and just enjoy each other’s company.
Cuddling is also known to help reduce anxiety and stress levels, as well as improve moods.
So if you or your australian shepherd are feeling down, cuddling is a great way to pick yourselves up.
2) Helps Fight Depression
Cuddling has also been shown to help fight depression and loneliness.
If you’re feeling down, cuddling with your australian shepherd can be a great way to boost your mood and make you feel more connected.
Not only has it been proven to lower cortisol (stress hormone) but also increase oxytocin & serotonin (happy hormones).
Sometimes all we need is a little physical touch and affection to make us feel better.
It’s also beneficial for dogs who may be experiencing separation anxiety or depression.
Cuddling can help them feel more secure and loved, which can improve their mood and make them feel better.
3) Helps Strengthen Your Bond
As I mentioned before, cuddling helps strengthen the bond between you and your australian shepherd.
Sometimes quality 1-on-1 time can be difficult to schedule in when life gets busy.
Which it inevitably does.
And when this happens your aussie may start to feel neglected which affects your relationship with them.
So by doing your best to make time for some cuddle sessions each day you’re helping maintain and strengthen your bond.
While they love getting treats every now and then, what they really love is time and attention from you!
4) Simply Put.. It Feels Good!
At the end of the day, cuddling with your australian shepherd simply feels good.
When you spend time being close and snuggling with someone you love so much it’s difficult to put into words how it feels.
They’re your fur-baby. And spending a few minutes here and there cuddling is a great way to pass time.
Final Thoughts
For the most part, australian shepherds enjoy a good cuddle. While we did have more reasons why they wouldn’t like to cuddle, they’re more rare circumstances.
It’s okay if your aussie doesn’t like to cuddle, but for many australian shepherds, cuddle time with their owner is one of their favorite ways to spend time.
Other posts you might find interesting:
12 Best Harnesses for Australian Shepherds
15 Weird Reasons Why Australian Shepherds Lick So Much
5 Reasons Why Australian Shepherds Get Jealous + 4 Tips
7 Reasons Australian Shepherds Eat Everything + 4 Tips
Sources:
Long-term stress levels are synchronized in dogs and their owners