Though it may seem that Jenni and I are saying opposite things, we really are not (IMHO).

It is all the things that you do with your dog in any given day that will bond you to your dog. The idea of taking your dog everywhere is a good one. My dog comes to work with me every day.

Jenni is still the food dispenser at her house. That helps her bond. I doubt she would let someone else feed her dogs every day. She just chooses not to use treats for training and that is okay too.

Like Jenni, my dog isn't bonded to me becasue I am a treat dispenser, it is bonded to me because of everything we do together.

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A dog who is merely tolerating your affection in hopes of a treat is not bonded to you

I double dog dare Jenni to say my dog is not well bonded to me, despite the fact that he would rather not sit around and be petted by me all day. I can tell him to sit and be petted by me (no treat needed) because I am the pack leader, but it is not the most bonding event for my particular dog.

It is harder for a person to love a dog that is not snuggly, than it is for a dog that is not snuggly to love its master. This I have had to learn.

 Quote: Cindy Easton Rhodes

I think time spent with a dog is great, I think I am the luckiest person around because I spend 24/7 with my dogs here.

Yes, the more the dog is allowed to hang around with the owner, the better, I think.

We don't all have the great job Cindy has, or even work at home the way I do (with dogs beside me 95% of the time) .... but thinking of new ways to incorporate the dog's camaraderie with the owner is great! The idea about having him come to work one day a week -- that's a terrific idea, IMHO.

 Quote: Jennifer Coulter

.... The idea of taking your dog everywhere is a good one. .... It is harder for a person to love a dog that is not snuggly, than it is for a dog that is not snuggly to love its master. This I have had to learn.

It does take me a little longer to bond with a non-physical dog, too. I see that as a human problem. In particular, a ME-problem.

Still, the more that's done with the owner, the faster and stronger the bond develops.

JMO.

Jennifer, we do agree, for sure. I don't know where this whole training with treats thing is coming from; we were talking about bonding, and Lynne said she's become a walking treat dispenser.

At any rate, one of my dogs is not cuddly. At all. Giving him treats doesn't make him cuddly. Coincidentally, he is probably the most bonded to me. He has little interest in others. He simply has no need for other people, as he is not friendly, and I take care of all his needs. Sometimes I wish I could pet my dog, or that he'd lie near me and hang out, but he won't. That's just how he is. I was merely trying to suggest an alternate route to bond w/an a-typical dog.

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At any rate, one of my dogs is not cuddly. At all. Giving him treats doesn't make him cuddly. Coincidentally, he is probably the most bonded to me. He has little interest in others. He simply has no need for other people, as he is not friendly, and I take care of all his needs. Sometimes I wish I could pet my dog, or that he'd lie near me and hang out, but he won't. That's just how he is.

I guess I should count myself lucky mine is not THAT un-cuddly! He will lay right next to me, touching no problem. If any heavy petting starts (not just a pat or two), he will move however If he doesn't move right away, he will definately sigh to let me know that he is just tollerating it because he knows I like to pet him!!

Our points about bonding are similar. An uncuddly dog can still be VERY well bonded to it's owner! Thank goodness for that! I am sure the OP appreciates many different suggestions.

"Heavy petting."

LOL!

 Quote: connie sutherland

"Heavy petting."

LOL!

I am glad you noticed that too, I started laughing out loud knowing someone would say something.....

 Quote: carol boche

 Quote: connie sutherland

"Heavy petting."

LOL!

I am glad you noticed that too, I started laughing out loud knowing someone would say something.....

Come on guys...you know what I meant, right...right?

Thanks for the suggestions and different points of view. And I am glad to hear that having a non-cuddly dog doesn't mean that the dog isn't bonding. I will work on spending more 'fun' time with her and give some real thought as to exactly under what circumstances I am giving treats. And yes, I think I am having trouble bonding with her because she's not too receptive to the petting.
I guess that dream of us snuggling up together for a night of watching chick flicks just isn't going to happen!

Chick flicks with a bowl of bacon might work.