[finzi]

Here is one more question about our Mini Schnauzer...

Finzi was a product of a puppy mill. He was then picked up by a rescue society around 10 weeks, and we adopted him around 12 weeks. Finzi is very excited to see new people, he likes being held and scratched, but he isn't exceptionally cuddly. I know every dog can't be a lap dog, but I was surprised he wasn't more interested in being near his new "people."

When we are sitting in bed, he very much wants to be with us, jumping up and down at the side of the bed until someone picks him up - however, I've tried to have him rest on my stomach while we are watching TV or something, but he starts fidgeting soon after and goes to sleep by himself at the bottom of the bed. During other times of the day, Finzi cuddles right into our other dog's tummy area when they are napping on the floor, but he seems less interested in sleeping near us. Is this pretty normal? Is there anything else we should consider doing to help him bond with us? Do you think part of this might be due to his lack of socialization with people when he was very young? It's certainly not the end of the world, I realize that, but I want to make sure he feels secure and loved by us. I greatly appreciate your knowledge on all things dog-related - we have learned so much!

[labman]

More recent studies have confirmed Scott's and Pfaffenberger's studies showing the importance of a dog' first 12 weeks. Just as a dog needs it mother and litter mates the first 6 weeks to relate to dog properly, it needs human contact to bond to people properly. The human contact needs to start early. The families that keep the breeding stock for the dog guide school actually have a quota for the time they spend holding each puppy starting the day they are born. With new born litters of such breeds as Labs, Goldens, and Shepherds, the puppies must be marked in order to tell them apart and make sure each puppy has its time. Early human contact is so important, I will be legally allowed to take my new 7 week old puppy in a restaurant on our way home with her Saturday.

Breeding and individual personalities are important too. For all their careful early socialization, I have had puppies that at a year old, would get up and go lay down in their crate if I petted them. The females after their season was over are the worst about it. So more human contact earlier may or may not have meant a cuddlier puppy. However independent they are at a year, they do become more affectionate when they are older. Aster turned 14 yesterday. She loves being petted now, but I think 13 years ago, was one of the ones that would escape to her crate if molested. At any age, females tend to be less cuddly than males.

[RubyPitbull]

Labman, when you have an opportunity to post it, she might benefit from your excellent explanation & information regarding the bonding exercises that you have posted frequently on this forum. Even though Finzi is a little older now, those exercises might still help her create the bond she is looking for.

It does sound as if Finzi has bonded with the other dogs more than his people. As labman states, their personalities do differ and there are dogs that just aren't cuddlers. But notice his positioning with the other dogs when he cuddles next to them. I talk about that in more detail further down. I was very surprised to find my female pitbull rescue who spent the bulk of her life in a cage before I adopted her at 6 months old, is the most cuddly and kissy dog I have ever had. She wants nothing more than to be with me and sit in my lap. At 60 lbs it can be uncomfortable at times, to say the least. But, when I started working with her, I held her in my arms turning her over on her back, and rubbing her belly and massaging her as often as possible because she fought me so hard on it. I needed to make sure that she understood that I was the dominant in our relationship so that I could easily move forward with the training that is so very important with this breed of dog. I now have a dog that completely focuses her attention on me when we are around other people and dogs, which was my goal. So, you are going to have to make a concerted effort to attempt to get your dog to recognize all the people in her pack are in the leadership roles and he should be courting your attention. One of the exercises is the one I just described. Much easier to do with a 5 pound dog than a 28 pound one that I was dealing with. You can also flip him on his back and do that exercise on the floor. Besides rubbing the belly, you should slowly massage the "meaty" areas where the legs joints meet the body. It is the area that we would call our armpits. They love that. The thing to always keep in mind is to ensure that you are above him at all times and you are doing something that he finds relaxing and pleasureable. If he has a tendency to flip himself over and try to get away, you need to hold him in place, gently but firmly so that he will eventually just give in to you. In time, he may not be the cuddly lap dog that you were hoping for, but he will be more willing to sit in your lap. Your lying down on the bed with him on your stomach is not a good idea. You are telling him in doggy language that he is above you in rank. At this stage of the training, you need to always be above him. Sit up on the bed with a pillow propped behind you for support and place him in your lap, doing these exercises.

[labman]

''Elevation for small puppies: Sit on the floor and gently put your hands around your pup's middle, below his front legs, and lift him up. He is facing you. Hold him for 15 seconds. Repeat until he no longer struggles. If he is past 10-12 weeks, lift his front feet off the ground, but don't pick him up.

Cradling for small puppies: Hold your puppy gently on his back, as you would cradle a small baby. If he struggles, hold him firmly until he quiets for 10-15 seconds. With larger pups, you can do this as your sit on the floor, with your pup between your legs.

Quiet lying down: Place your pup on the floor on his side, with all 4 legs pointing away from you. Use your hands on his neck/shoulder area and middle, to hold him in this position. When he is quiet, praise him. Lengthen the time that you keep him quietly in this position. When he accepts this position well, handle his paws and muzzle, while keeping him quiet.''

The quotes mean this isn't my original work. It is copied from my Puppy Raising Manual. I have long used these or minor variations of them, and they are very effective. You may want to give him a belly rub while he is on his back too. Helps bonding. There is a big difference between him rolling over and demanding a belly rub, and you choosing a time to roll him over and rub his belly. The latter cements your place as pack leader.