Cuddling puppies - silly question alert!

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gingerthing

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Just a general Monday night musing...

As I type I am sat here with my gorgeous 11.5 week old lab puppy snuggled up on my lap. She is a total softie and loves nothing more than being invited for a cuddle, loves being fussed and held. She would sleep on my lap all day given the chance!

On hearing several mentions of behaviour issues in dogs ie separation anxiety and so forth, can there be such a thing as too much cuddling? Can it be bad for them and prevent problems further down the line?

Would be interested to hear responses
 
Betsy was cuddled constantly as a pup (She was beautiful... you can't blame me!) and she does suffer seperation anxiety unless kept in a strict routine. It may be related... who knows?

I think it very much depends on the dog, B is quite a stressy dog she needs a routine and regularity. She still gets cuddles but on our terms, not hers!
 
My lab was also cuddled lots and lots as a pup - still is, and is currently curled up on my bed with me.
I also live alone, so Im all she has, but she doesn't have any separation anxiety at all.
However, as a puppy she slept in the kitchen, and had a routine. She was only allowed to sleep upstairs once she was house trained fully, and the stairs were not going to damage her joints.
I also left her in her puppy cage for short periods during the day, and actually left the house even if I had no-where to go.
I do remember the first time I left her, ran to the village shop, and was back after 10 minutes... I peered through the letter box to see if I could here anything, but she was fine...
I think the key is to provide puppies with a secure and cozy puppy cage, so that when they are shut in they are relaxed.
I can leave my lab for hours, and all she does is slope off to my bed and sleep :D
 
My puppy is cuddled lots, when we go to bed he snuggles under the covers and curls up in my lap. We have no problems with seperation anxiety so far, he's crated with kibble filled Kongs and he goes to sleep whilst we're out (I can tell because he's yawning and streching when I get in!), he follows me round the house like a shadow but is equally happy to do his own thing.
 
My lurcher is now ten months old. Has always been cuddled and played with lots. He sleeps next to my bed and joins me in it every morning. No separation anxiety whatsoever. I have crate trained him and when I go out he happily goes into it and settles down.
 
I have 2 cocker spaniels who are not really dogs, I'd say more babies in dogs costumes! I have never come across 2 more cuddly dogs, they just can't get close enough to you. But I wouldn't have it any other way.

No separation anxiety whatsoever, just 2 soppy teddy bears wanting cuddles and strokes.
 
It's not so much in the cuddling but more in the (not creating a routine) where by they spent time alone and not atatched to you 24/7 which creates the separation issues.
 
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