I know, I know--if I wanted a lap dog, I should have gotten some little mongrel! But seriously, how many of your GSDs like to be held?
I'm new to GSDs and my past experience is with Labs---all of my Labs loved for me to get on the floor...they would love to climb all over me. As puppies, these labs didn't mind being carried/held (e.g. when too young to walk down a flight of stairs, they seemed to enjoy being in my arms).
Now with my new GSD puppy (10 wks), I'm noticing that he likes to be near me, but not "on" me in the same sense that my labs did. Holding him, he turns into a wiggly and very whiny puppy. My friend, a self-proclaimed dog expert, says that this is a sign of a fairly dominant dog...not wanting to be restrained/controlled. Is this an Alpha on my hands in puppy form? Or is this just something more general about the breed?
Thanks again...J

My 14 week old puppy (not a GSD but similar temperament, despite being very hyper) kind of likes being picked up and held sometimes. She for sure likes to lie near me, and sometimes on me if Im on the floor.

But for the most part she just wants to be where she can see me, and will follow me everywhere anytime I leave one from for another.

She had to have an operation at 10 weeks old, and from that point on she seemed much less bothered by me holding her. I don't know if thats a product of worry, or if it was just something she would have started liking anyway.

But I think another thing that made her stop wriggling was that alot of times when I would see her lying down sleeping I would go pick her up and hold her for a few minutes. She would be groggy and wouldnt resist. I held her facing me and arms over my shoulders, kind of.

She would fall back asleep that way and now, weeks after I started doing that, and now she doesnt seem to mind it much at all. Not that I do it much anymore.. shes getting too heavy.

<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

But she for sure seemed to mind being touched alot less after she got used to being picked up.

He's a very loving dog, very excited to see me when I come home, occasionally comes over to me n lays down with his head next to me... but he's not a lap dog by any means, he would rather go lay 10ft away from me than be pet for 20 minutes... but he does like being pet - but there's a limit. Once that limit is passed he'll get up n walk away n lay down somewhere where he can still look at me lol. In the pic below... was taken when he was right around 4 months old, I was sitting at my computer desk, he was laying down by my feet, he was never far away from me at that age.. he slowly shuffled his way under the bed n couldn't find his way out again lol. If I lay down on the ground, he'll step over me n walk around me n lick my face, if I cover my face he'll force his nose between my hands or arms to try and lick my face anyway. If all GSD's are like this, I think they are very well balanced, they're not always licking people and clamoring for attention, and when they decide to ask for attention it seems very sincere.

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y231/Nitromethane1261/09fc8f19.jpg

My dog also likes licking my feet... anytime my socks come off I need to expect wet feet.... I don't know if this is a sign of affection or just some strange fetish my dog has lol.

Generally my GSD's like laying next to me and being petted, but they are not as "needy" as say a Golden Retriever. When my 10 month old was a pup she did like to come up on the couch with me and sleep on me, but she has outgrown that <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />. I didn't grow up with GSD's most of my dogs back then were mutts that were really needy- always coming up for pets, etc.... I really like the fact that GSD's do like to cuddle for a bit then go have their own space.

 Quote:

I really like the fact that GSD's do like to cuddle for a bit then go have their own space.

Ok, Chris I couldn't resist....

Typical GUY!!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

QUOTE: I really like the fact that GSD's do like to cuddle for a bit then go have their own space END

I don't know whether it's because all my dogs so far have been rescues, but I too have found that they have liked to be petted and cuddled. Then they make it clear when it's time to gaze adoringly at me from afar (3 feet, 10 feet....).

BTW, Jennifer -- good one! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />