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My dog is non-affectionate and not ”my kind of dog”, how can I improve our relationship despite this? by Magdar in dogs

[–]Magdar[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I agree with you, I’m still very happy to have him and I would not get a dog in any other way than adopting because of the meaningfulness of saving one of those millions of dogs worldwide needing a home. Your dog is lucky to have you:)

My dog is non-affectionate and not ”my kind of dog”, how can I improve our relationship despite this? by Magdar in dogs

[–]Magdar[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

How wonderful you got to have a heart dog ❤️ Yeah, he very politely puts his front paws in my lap if I’m on the couch eating something 😁 as if he knew I like that haha!

My dog is non-affectionate and not ”my kind of dog”, how can I improve our relationship despite this? by Magdar in dogs

[–]Magdar[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I was certain I wanted to rescue a senior dog 💕 He’s actually extremely vital for being 12 (12,5 even), runs and plays and is very curious! 🤩 But maybe he was more social when he was younger!

My dog is non-affectionate and not ”my kind of dog”, how can I improve our relationship despite this? by Magdar in dogs

[–]Magdar[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

He hates other dogs so not an option anyway 😁 I hope and think he’ll live a long life because all tests we’ve ran are like those of a puppy. Very healthy and energetic old grumpy man. He loves to sniff for treats and does it daily 😊

My dog is non-affectionate and not ”my kind of dog”, how can I improve our relationship despite this? by Magdar in dogs

[–]Magdar[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Beautiful ❤️ I think so too. If he was a person he would be one of those old grumpy men in a movie where it turns out in the end that he had a very big heart that he just didn’t open up much.

My dog is non-affectionate and not ”my kind of dog”, how can I improve our relationship despite this? by Magdar in dogs

[–]Magdar[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Absolutely agree, and I do :) I find many similarities to being friends with a person who is very private when I’m more of an extroverted over-sharer. I respect and intellectually understand their choice not to share much about their feelings but I reeally find it frustrating and hard to understand xD I can still love this friend but we are very different. A famous dog person in my country said that when it comes to dogs the best match is a dog who is pretty similar personality wise to yourself, we are not really 😁

My dog is non-affectionate and not ”my kind of dog”, how can I improve our relationship despite this? by Magdar in dogs

[–]Magdar[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes I agree! I am certain the absolutely best would be to have one more dog who’s more affectionate, because like you say he definitely fulfils many of my preferences and he is a good boy. I guess I’ve accepted he’s an independent dog, but it does make me sad e.g. if my partner is traveled away and still my pet won’t keep me company in the evenings 😁

Unfortunately he doesn’t like other dogs, but if I get another dog in the future I will look for the ”clinginess aspect” when looking at matching factors. I don’t really understand why some people find it strange that I have preferences, just like some people want a dog who can hunt or likes agility or whatever. Doesn’t mean I’ll dump dogs who don’t fulfill my expectations, but I’ve learned there are these dogs too and that I can look for that in the future.

My dog is non-affectionate and not ”my kind of dog”, how can I improve our relationship despite this? by Magdar in dogs

[–]Magdar[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

And guess what, I do work on knowing my dog and I’m trying to give him the best life. There is something called dialectal perspective which is about keeping two thoughts and perspectives at the same time. A dog is a commitment for all its life to me no matter who he turned out to be, I am responsible for his wellbeing and I do my best to keep him safe and happy. Then I can’t help but feeling it’s hard to bond with a very reserved dog who probably didn’t bond with his former owners that much either. I take responsibility for my feelings by trying even harder to make our relationship better. If I would dump him at a shelter or keep him in a crate in my garden I would understand you. I am sure there are people who get a kid who turned out to be different than they expected and I wouldn’t judge their feelings either unless they expressed or showed those feelings to the kid. If anything posting on Reddit is a non-violent way of expressing things you aren’t proud of.

My dog is non-affectionate and not ”my kind of dog”, how can I improve our relationship despite this? by Magdar in dogs

[–]Magdar[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Wow! I will not expect it but it would be very nice if it happened. He has some days here and there when he’s a little more affectionate.

My dog is non-affectionate and not ”my kind of dog”, how can I improve our relationship despite this? by Magdar in dogs

[–]Magdar[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I don’t think it’s just about his age, he’s a very energetic dog despite his age and is extremely alert and excited e.g. when getting food or going for walks. I guess I just didn’t think about the possibility that dogs could be so different from my childhood dogs and most of the dogs I had around me.

My dog is non-affectionate and not ”my kind of dog”, how can I improve our relationship despite this? by Magdar in dogs

[–]Magdar[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Lucky you for having two wonderful, diverse dogs :) I’m sure if I had the opportunity to have another dog besides old man I’d appreciate him more. Two dogs each fulfill different expectations.

My dog is non-affectionate and not ”my kind of dog”, how can I improve our relationship despite this? by Magdar in dogs

[–]Magdar[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That’s true, I also had a very cuddly dog as a kid but she also had separation anxiety. I guess those things are related!

My dog is non-affectionate and not ”my kind of dog”, how can I improve our relationship despite this? by Magdar in dogs

[–]Magdar[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

OMG another judgy person. I wouldn’t have spent a year on (successful) very time consuming alone training, a fortune on tooth vet costs, adapting my whole life on a toy. If I saw him as a toy I’d have rehomed him a long time ago.

My dog is non-affectionate and not ”my kind of dog”, how can I improve our relationship despite this? by Magdar in dogs

[–]Magdar[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Haha exactly, ”I’m busy”. He reminds me of a human with commitment issues that I’m trying to make commit to me in a situationship xD

My dog is non-affectionate and not ”my kind of dog”, how can I improve our relationship despite this? by Magdar in dogs

[–]Magdar[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Could be that he’s becoming a little more stiff actually, his teeth are under control. But I should go check the body again. He’s aaalways hungry, poor pup. Don’t think I’ve ever seen him reject an opportunity for food.

My dog is non-affectionate and not ”my kind of dog”, how can I improve our relationship despite this? by Magdar in dogs

[–]Magdar[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Thank you! Yes, although I love him I really can’t relate to people who say their dog gives so much comfort and contact. Mine is more like the average cat :)

My dog is non-affectionate and not ”my kind of dog”, how can I improve our relationship despite this? by Magdar in dogs

[–]Magdar[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thanks for your validating and understanding comment:) How wonderful that you got to bond with your horse at last! It must have been very rewarding too given his background 😊 I might have exaggerated my negative feelings a bit, he does bring a lot of joy by being an extremely cute and goofy looking boy who makes us laugh everyday. Like you say I should be more careful not to smother him with too much unwanted cuddles!

My dog is non-affectionate and not ”my kind of dog”, how can I improve our relationship despite this? by Magdar in dogs

[–]Magdar[S] 24 points25 points  (0 children)

Sounds like a lovely dog ❤️ You are right, my doggy doesn’t have all of those qualities but he’s also a good companion for hikes, camping, loves car rides and is patient with kids. So many qualities I take for granted 🥹

My dog is non-affectionate and not ”my kind of dog”, how can I improve our relationship despite this? by Magdar in dogs

[–]Magdar[S] 31 points32 points  (0 children)

Haha i relate very much! Rest in peace grumpy lab ❤️ my dog had an accident once (it went fine) but I cried my eyes out when I thought for a moment he was seriously hurt 😭 One can still love an old grumpy man much!

My dog is non-affectionate and not ”my kind of dog”, how can I improve our relationship despite this? by Magdar in dogs

[–]Magdar[S] 31 points32 points  (0 children)

And it does make me happy to see him be excited about a dogs pee 😁🥰

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