With their loyal and protective nature, the German Shepherd has become known as a dog that loves to cuddle. While they have a reputation for being an excellent guard dog, many don’t realize that these dogs also have a softer side.
This article takes an in-depth look at 13 reasons why this breed enjoys snuggling up with their owners.
Do German Shepherds Like to Cuddle?
These loyal and intelligent dogs love nothing more than spending time with their owners. They are known for being strong and protective, but also gentle and loving. German Shepherds make great companions who are eager to show affection, especially through cuddling.
Let’s explore the 13 main reasons the German Shepherd loves to cuddle:
1. They Miss You
One reason why your German Shepherd loves cuddles is that they miss you when you’re away from home.
They have an incredible sense of smell and can detect whether you’ve been around recently.
When your pup sees that you’ve returned home, they shower you with love by cuddling up against your legs or chest to show its appreciation for being reunited with you.
2. They Are Bored
If your German shepherd is always looking for a cuddle session with you, it could be because they’re feeling bored. This breed of dog is incredibly smart and needs to stay mentally stimulated or else they start to look for ways to entertain themselves.
Cuddling up next to their owners gives them some much-needed attention and helps them pass the time while keeping their minds occupied.
Plus, being close to a loved one is an activity that almost any dog would enjoy! So if your canine companion seems extra snuggly lately, it might just be because they need something fun and exciting like cuddling with you!
3. They Feel Your Love
German Shepherds like to cuddle because it makes them feel close to their owner, making them feel secure and safe in your presence.
Plus, cuddling is a great way for you both to bond and express love for each other, which can be very comforting for these intelligent dogs.
Cuddling with your German Shepherd helps build an emotional connection between the two of you; because they can sense your patience and understanding through touch.
When you give your pup lots of hugs, kisses, and petting sessions, it gives them an opportunity to show how much they appreciate all that you do for them.
4. They Are Stressed
Research suggests that one reason German Shepherds may enjoy cuddling is that it helps them feel safe and secure. These dogs tend to become stressed in certain situations, such as when they are left alone or exposed to loud noises.
Cuddling with their owners provides them with comfort and stress relief in times of need.
The presence of a trusted person can help reduce their anxiety levels and give them emotional support during challenging times.
5. They Feel Unwell
Studies have found that when dogs are feeling unwell, they will often seek out physical contact with their owners for comfort.
This behavior comes from a long-standing evolutionary need for pack animals to stick together during times of difficulty.
Dogs naturally look to humans as part of their “pack” and cuddling is a way for them to get reassurance that they are safe and secure.
However, it isn’t only when dogs are sick that they seek out physical contact with humans; it’s also true when they’re scared or anxious.
6. They Want to Generate Body Heat
When German Shepherds want to generate body heat, they may crave physical contact with you as a way of keeping themselves warm!
As working dogs, German Shepherds have been bred to have an unusually high tolerance for cold weather and climates.
But that doesn’t mean they don’t appreciate a good snuggle session when it’s chilly outside! When the temperatures drop, these intelligent pooches often turn into lap dogs and can be found snuggling up against their owners in search of warmth.
In addition to providing extra heat, cuddling is also beneficial for helping German Shepherds bond with their human companions.
7. They Want to Bond With You
Not only do German Shepherds enjoy physical closeness with the people they love, but they want to bond emotionally as well. It is important to remember that dogs are pack animals at heart and crave human contact in order to form strong relationships.
While all dogs will appreciate petting and hugs from their favorite people, German Shepherds are especially drawn to cuddling due to their need for companionship.
Even if you don’t invite them up on the couch or bed for snuggles, your German Shepherd will likely follow you around hoping for some kind of physical affection.
8. They Are Showing Subordination
Cuddling is an important way for German Shepherds to show love and physical affection to their people. In addition to expressing how much they care about you, cuddles also allow them to show subordination.
When a dog curls up close or snuggles in your lap, they are displaying a sign of submission—they feel safe around you and trust that you will protect them.
German Shepherds have an innate instinct to guard and be loyal companions.
Since these instincts can’t always be expressed through behaviors like playing fetch or tug-of-war, cuddling provides them with the opportunity to bond closely with their human family members.
9. They Want to Feel Safe
It’s no surprise that German Shepherds want to feel safe, just like other animals. When they’re close to their owners, it gives them a sense of security and comfort.
It’s also thought that physical affection with their owners can help relieve stress and anxiety in dogs.
GSDs also enjoy being petted or groomed, which is another form of cuddling for them. In addition to providing emotional comfort, cuddling can also be beneficial for both the owner and their GSD physically.
10. They Enjoy Your Scent
German Shepherds have a keen nose that can detect even the subtlest scents.
When your pup cuddles up close by your side, it’s taking in all of your unique smells – from the detergent you use on your clothes to the shampoo in your hair.
And when they take these smells in, they can create an association between them and feelings like safety and comfort.
11. They are Suffering from Separation Anxiety
Cuddling can be more than just an act of love between pet and owner – it may also be an indication that your pup is suffering from separation anxiety.
Being highly intelligent and loyal creatures, German Shepherds become very attached to their owners quickly and require regular mental stimulation.
If the pup doesn’t have enough human contact or companionship throughout the day, it may start exhibiting signs of separation anxiety such as chewing furniture or excessive barking when left alone.
Cuddling and other types of clingy behavior can be one way in which a dog expresses its need for comfort during periods of loneliness or stress.
12. Cuddling Releases Hormones
When your German Shepherd curls up next to you, the action releases a number of ‘happy hormones’ in both you and your pup.
These include oxytocin, serotonin, and dopamine – all hormones which help induce feelings of happiness, well-being, and security in both humans and pets.
13. They Are in Heat
When female German Shepherds are in heat they tend to seek out extra attention from their human counterparts so that they can feel comfortable with the changes happening within their bodies.
This is because your pet’s body temperature rises during this time and the extra attention helps her feel more comfortable with the changes.
When you interact with her, she will feel at ease and will likely worry less about the changes in her body.
When Not to Cuddle a German Shepherd
Cuddling your German Shepherd is a great way to show them affection, but there are certain times when cuddling can be inappropriate. You should never cuddle a German Shepherd when they are feeling anxious or nervous.
This type of behavior can make them more anxious and create an uncomfortable situation for both you and your dog. Additionally, it is important to recognize the body language of your German Shepherd before attempting to cuddle them.
A relaxed posture with ears down and tail wagging is a good indication that they’re open to some lovin’!
If their body language appears tense or stiff in any way, this could be an indication that they don’t want to be touched at that moment. Respect their boundaries so as not to frighten or distress them.
How Long Does it Take to Bond with a German Shepherd?
Bonding with a German Shepherd can be one of the most rewarding experiences in life. Not only are these dogs incredibly loyal and intelligent, but they also have an uncanny ability to sense our emotions and respond in kind.
Learning how long it takes to bond with your pet is essential if you want to have a successful, loving relationship with them.
Establishing trust between you and your pup can take anywhere from weeks to months depending on the individual dog’s personality, past experiences, and comfort level around people.
It is important that you provide lots of praise when playing or training as this will help build their confidence and create a stronger bond over time.
Additionally, ensuring that your pup gets plenty of exercise throughout the day also helps facilitate bonding as this provides an opportunity for positive reinforcement through playtime together.
How to Bond with your German Shepherd Fast
If you’re looking to quickly form an emotional bond with your German Shepherd, there are some steps you can take.
Developing a strong relationship with your dog is key when it comes to having a devoted companion and faithful protector.
Here are several tips on how to bond with your German Shepherd fast:
First, set up daily routines for training and exercise. Training will help build trust between the two of you by providing consistency and discipline.
Exercise promotes physical health, but also helps release pent-up energy so that your dog behaves better—which makes bonding easier.
Apart from a good cuddle, spend time playing with your German Shepherd well; use interactive toys like Kongs that keep them mentally engaged but also tire them out physically – bonding during playtime is always beneficial.
Make sure your German Shepherd is healthy and happy. Make sure they are well-fed and comfortable, as well as in good health.
This helps them behave better around you and others, which will make bonding go more smoothly.
Keep them on a consistent schedule. If you have a busy schedule, try to keep your dog on a consistent routine. This is important for any dog, but especially for a German Shepherd who needs structure and consistency in their life.
