For families and couples who want a dog that loves being cuddled, then you might want to consider the Goldendoodle.
A mixture of the beloved Golden Retriever and the intelligent Poodle, the Goldendoodle is an extremely friendly dog. They’re also quite social and love bonding with their owners.
Whether you’re a family that wants a dog who loves to cuddle or an elderly couple that desires a companion who is open to affection, the Goldendoodle might be the right choice for you.
Do Goldendoodles like to cuddle? Yes, Goldendoodles who are properly socialized love to cuddle. They are very open to affection and are more likely to follow you around the house. They don’t like being alone for long hours, so you can be sure they’ll want to cuddle with you when you return home.
Certain breeds of dogs are more affectionate than others and like to be touched. There are also ways in which you can get your Goldendoodle to cuddle with you.
There are many reasons why Goldendoodles are so popular, and their affectionate nature is just one of them. Raising them the right way from the time you bring them home is critical, however.
That’s why we put together The Owner’s Guide to the Perfect Goldendoodle.
You’ll learn everything from preparing your home for a puppy to using reward-based training methods to what it takes to keep their coat healthy and tangle free.
This isn’t just another puppy-raising book.
It provides you with information and advice specific to Goldendoodles, such as understanding the differences in generations and coat types and how that influences shedding and grooming.
You won’t find a more comprehensive, breed-focused book anywhere else. Pick up your copy today to begin helping your Goldendoodle grow into the dog he was meant to be.
After a long day, you and your buddy want to cuddle up on the couch and relax a bit. A Goldendoodle is definitely up for that! But you have to lay the groundwork, and we’ll show you how:
Goldendoodles Temperament
One of the biggest factors that will determine whether a dog enjoys being cuddled or not is their temperament.
Some dogs are shy and don’t like to be handled. Even independent dogs may find all of the cuddling and petting tiresome after awhile. Maybe a better question you should ask is:
Are Goldendoodles affectionate? That will often determine whether or not the breed is comfortable with cuddling.
Yes! Goldendoodles are affectionate. They have a friendly nature and are open to meeting new friends.
They’re dog, cat, and people friendly when socialized at a young age, and they bond particularly close to their owners.
(See our Complete Guide to Socialization to make sure you’re exposing your dog to the right things.)
Because they love and live for praise, the best way to get to your Goldendoodle’s heart is to offer them a lot of love both vocally and through touch.
Once they register that your touch is a sign of praise, you can be sure that they’ll want more of it.
Goldendoodles do have a tendency to jump on new people that they meet. This isn’t a sign of aggressive behavior, however.
(Can Goldendoodles be aggressive? Find the answer here.)
It’s their way of displaying excitement at meeting new people or a friend. Due to their excitement of meeting people and other animals, they’re not the best for guard dogs.
They think everyone is their friend and don’t mean them any harm.
This 75+ page book is jam-packed with expert knowledge and real experiences from Goldendoodle owners and breeders alike. Consider this the ultimate owner’s guide for the breed with tips, tricks, and answers to the most frequently asked questions – saving you time, money, and loads of frustration along the way.
Due to their social nature, Goldendoodles don’t do well alone over long periods of time. They can become depressed or invoke destructive behaviors like chewing and digging in the house.
This is where crate training can be a huge benefit. Our Guide to Crate Training, though it was written with Labradoodles in mind, certainly applies to Goldendoodles as well.
For Doodle dogs, this crate is just perfect. A divider is included so it can grow with your pup, and we love the fact that it’s collapsible and features a front and side door.
Because of their need for social interaction, however, they are more likely to enjoy cuddling and lying next to you while you watch TV or read a book.
Energy Level of Goldendoodles
Something to consider about owning a Goldendoodle is their activity level. Both Golden Retrievers and Poodles have highly active lifestyles. Your Goldendoodle will too.
They enjoy playing around and taking walks. They’re practically naturals when it comes to games like fetch (a ball launcher, like this one, is a must-have for Doodles) and hide-and-seek.
Because of their high energy, however, that also means that they are more likely to cuddle with you after you play with them.
Playing with your dog is a wonderful way to grow the bond between you.
The closer that your Goldendoodle feels to you, the more likely they are to allow you to pet and cuddle with them. Playing with them also makes them exhausted.
After the playtime is over, you’ll likely find that your Goldendoodle wants to find somewhere to nap.
That’s a critical moment when you can invite your dog over to you for cuddles while they relax into sleep.
You should expect to spend anywhere from half an hour to an hour in play with your dog.
Did you know that adult Goldendoodles should receive at least two 30-minute exercise sessions daily, but puppies’ needs are different? Read this Exercise Guide to learn more.
Because Goldendoodles also need to be given plenty of mental stimulation (see our Complete Guide here) for their ultimate happiness, you can combine the two to give them everything they need in one activity.
You may want to take them to a local beach or river, for example. (Just be sure to read through our water safety tips first!)
As water dogs, they love swimming and playing in the water.
You can drive a boat along the lake and play fetch with them from the boat.
Or you can try your hand at canoeing and allow your dog to swim beside you or play Frisbee in the water.
By the end of a full day spent playing and having fun, your Goldendoodle is going to be thoroughly exhausted and ready for cuddles.
Tips For Encouraging Your Goldendoodle to Cuddle!
Sometimes dogs just aren’t in the mood to cuddle. If you really want that cuddle action, however, here are a few tips to consider that might help.
- Wear em out! – Well-exercised dogs are more likely to cuddle.
- Treats! -Fun fact: Dogs love treats. Bribing is totally doable…
- Be Patient – Some dogs take a bit to warm up, so go slow if needed.
Exercise First
The first tip is to exhaust them. The more tired your Goldendoodle is, the more receptive they will be to affection and cuddling.
Simply put, they don’t have the energy to leave your arms. Just make sure the dog isn’t too sleepy, or they might get grumpy that you’re disturbing their sleep.
Offer Treats
Much like children, you can always bribe affection from your Goldendoodle with treats.
No matter how tired they are, if they know you have something tasty, they’ll be all over you.
Be mindful that this doesn’t encourage behavior for jumping and begging during mealtime.
(Some Goldendoodles are fond of jumping up to greet people. We show you how to remedy this problem in this article.)
Make sure the treat is one of theirs – these are made with natural ingredients and are just the right size for a small treat or to use when training.
You can hold it in your hand and encourage your Goldendoodle to lie over your lap. Once they’re in place, offer them the treat and cuddle with them while they eat it.
If they’re comfy enough, they’ll likely remain there with you.
The use of treats can also be a way to train your dog to cuddle.
By offering them a treat each time you pat your lap or give them a command, they’ll learn that by laying on your lap, they might get a reward for it.
You get to have your cuddle action, and your dog gets both affection and a yummy treat.
Be Patient
In the event that your Goldendoodle is uncharacteristically shy, they might need a little more coaxing.
In this case, you need to start smaller and make them more comfortable with touch.
Begin with petting. You can sit beside them on the floor and pet them slowly and gently. Do so for as long as they will let you.
Sometimes this might only be for a minute before they scurry away. Be patient and let them become used to your presence and touch.
Once they are calmer around you, then you can introduce cuddling. This should be done on their terms.
Invade their space slowly and calmly. Then you can wrap yourself around them and hold them. You shouldn’t squeeze the Goldendoodle. Instead, start only with light pressure.
After they have become used to that, you can try more pressure as well as start training them to cuddle with your treats.
Teaching a shy dog how to cuddle requires a lot of patience and trial and error.
It’s best done while they’re puppies. However, it can be done with adults too with treats, patience, and love.
More often than not, your Goldendoodle will likely refuse to leave you. They’ve been known to follow you all around the house in order to rest at your feet.
Are you ready for more Goldendoodle training tips and answers to common questions about these wonderful dogs?
You’ll find all of our informative and advice-filled Goldendoodle articles right here.
Related Questions:
Are Goldendoodles Intelligent?
Because the Goldendoodle is made up of the Golden Retriever and the Poodle, both intelligent breeds, the Goldendoodle is considered to be an intelligent dog.
The American Kennel Club ranks Poodles second in the most trainable breeds. The Golden Retriever comes in at 4th place.
Since training requires intelligence, you can be sure these two breeds are among the smartest. Goldendoodles are too as a result.
How Many Hours a Day Do Goldendoodles Sleep?
Goldendoodle adults can sleep anywhere around 14 hours a day. Sometimes this can be increased if they had a particularly active day.
Puppies typically sleep anywhere from 18 to 20 hours a day. For Miniature or Tiny Goldendoodles, they may sleep a little less, around 10 to 12 hours a day.
Older dogs also sleep longer than younger dogs.
Before you go, remember to grab your copy of our best-selling book, The Owner’s Guide to the Perfect Goldendoodle. All the information you need to raise your dream dog, all in one place.
Last update on 2024-04-26 at 12:44 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
