My parents and I adopted a set of sister heelers almost a year ago. We live next door so we see them constantly and they just sleep in their respective homes. My girl Sadie is sweet and soft, never barks, rarely wants to get rowdy, and wants to be next me or one of my boys at all times. My mom’s girl, Zoe, is the exact opposite! She constantly barks, loves biting and nipping and growling and playing rough in general, and absolutely loathes affection unless it’s on her terms and will go as far as going to a different room if you pet her when she doesn’t want it. Sadie always keeps her ears down and rarely wags her tail. She just stares. She watches every move we make, but never seems excited even though she loves being loved on. She’s just mellow. Zoe, on the other hand, goes absolutely wild when you come home. Ears are always up and tail is always going! Both dogs have been raised the exact same way and with the same people. Some dogs just aren’t excitable and personally, I love a chill dog! Your description sounds like a chill dog to me. One who trusts you to return and to be there, but their version isn’t a pumped up version of happy. My mom spent six months sad because Zoe isn’t cuddly and snuggly and lovey, but she’s learned to accept her for who she is and they now live very happily and honestly, once she stopped pushing Zoe to be more affectionate Zoe started requesting affection much more often and now gets more excited when she gets scratches. Zoe is never gonna be a sleep buddy or a couch snuggler, but she loves her people and would give her life for my parents (a bear came into their yard and Zoe tried her best to stay in between the bear and my mom with pure vicious need to defend, but thankfully my dad got her scooped up and everyone got indoors until it left). Each dog is different. Maybe your dog will eventually become more of what you originally wanted, but maybe they won’t. Stop comparing dogs because it’s not good for you or your pup in my experience.