When your dog's Love Language is not Physical Touch
Seven ways to master your dog's brain "set points" for connection and when to give her space
It never fails. The busier I am, the more Junee wants to get my attention. That means jumping up on the arm of my office chair to be petted while I’m mid-post-writing or mid-edit. That means hiking two paws on my hip while I’m baking bread or some other random recipe from Nard Dog Cooks. That means walking directly in front of my smartphone or TV while I’m trying to exercise with Hinafit or Shirlyn Kim. And that definitely means flopping directly on my stomach to upper thighs while I try to zone out and meditate.
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But after I’ve checked everything off my daily list and am ready to flop onto the human-sized dog couch or nap on the “human” couch, Junee will snuggle up for a few minutes and then Moonwalk backward to sleep on my feet. The same dog who acts like a magnet any other time needs her space when I’m ready to enjoy my warm, cuddly, short-haired dog.
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She sometimes reminds me of the Ridgeback Pit Mix I used to dogsit. She would follow me around like a shadow but dart away if I tried to pet her. The dog stank of skunk and slept under the guest bed to keep an eye on me at all times, but was completely uninterested in being touched 90% of the time. If I sat on the couch, she sat next to me. If I went to the kitchen or to bring in the mail, the dog was on my feet like ankles. Tried to pet her head, and she ducked like Daffy!
Recommended Read: “Are dogs unaffectionate or is your affection all wrong? ~ The myth about dogs not liking to be hugged”
Both of these sometimey dogs remind me of what Dr. Tracey Marks described when it comes to brain "set points" for connection and learning the opioid-dopamine decoupling behind it. While the video is about humans, I believe it can also apply to dogs who are “full” from feeling affection.