Man’s best friend wasn’t a phrase penned for no reason and Poodles are a great example of the relationship between humans and dogs. Families make the decision to get a dog for a whole host of reasons; company, a love for animals, to keep another dog company, or perhaps to fill an empty nest. I think any first-time owner will be surprised at how quickly dogs fit into their life and suddenly they can’t remember their life without them.
Poodles show affection by wagging their tails, nuzzling, nudging their owners with their noses, bringing toys, following humans around, jumping up and coming for cuddles. Poodles are affectionate animals and will develop a strong bond with at least one human.
Some dogs are more affectionate than others and we are going to explore Poodle affection and just how they show this to others. We’ve composed some common ways Poodles show their love and we bet some of them will resonate with you.
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The Poodle Temperament
Poodles are rated as a dog topping those charts of affection. We’re going to look at why and the ways in which they show this affection to their owners. Poodles are often chosen by families due to their many redeeming qualities including being non-shedding (great news for allergy sufferers), being incredibly smart and easy to train, and also due to their personalities. They are super affectionate dogs who show lots of loyalty to their owners and as a result, strong bonds are developed.
Poodle owners often suggest that their Poodles are in tune with their emotions so if the owner is feeling sad, their dog will display similar behavior too. They are sensitive dogs who pick up on the feelings of those around them which is a good quality for those that are used as therapy dogs. So, if Poodles are in harmony with human feelings, how do they display affection?
How Do I Know if my Poodle Loves Me?
Poodles are generally considered patient and calm. This means they won’t mind lots of cuddles. In fact, they’ll love them as much as you. They are keen to please their owners whenever they can.
Let’s look at some of the ways Poodles show their human’s love and attention. Here are some of the most common tell-tale signs that your Poodle is trying to show you affection:
- Being your shadow – Poodles have a tendency to form a strong attachment to one person and as a result, love nothing more than to be your companion. They might follow you to another room. They may lie down at your feet when you sit down. These are both ways of them finding a way of being close to you because they love and need your company. Usually, but not always, they will attach to the person who takes care of their daily needs.
- Jumping for attention – Is your Poodle a jumper? You may have considered this trick quite cute when they were little and fluffy, right? But the older and bigger a Poodle gets the less cute this jumping behavior gets. It really is best to try and train Poodles not to jump up at people, particularly if you have young children at home. However, jumping is a sign your Poodle would like some attention and wants to play or have some fuss.
- Learning human names – One of the first things you do as a dog owner is to teach your new puppy their new name. Very important for recall purposes as well as other training. But did you know that dogs often learn their owners’ names or other peoples’ names who are special to them? You might say to your family that “Grandma” is popping over later and your Poodle may well start wagging their tail and maybe go to look out the window. This is a sure sign that your Poodle loves Grandma, hope she remembers those treats!
- Using their noses to communicate – If you are a dog owner you have likely experienced being nosed by your pooch. You might be relaxing on the sofa or talking on the phone when you suddenly feel a cold wet nose pushing your arm. This is nosing and is your pooch’s way of showing their affection and wanting some love. Sometimes dogs who are patted and then the fussing stops will start nosing the human to say they haven’t had enough fuss yet.
- A wagging tail – We all know that dogs who have a full-on wagging tail session going on are genuinely happy to see you. Those tails tell a story of love for their owner and are a very clear way of showing their emotions. It is important to point out that approaching a stranger’s dog with a wagging tail isn’t a sure sign they are friendly, and permission should always be sought from the owner before petting another dog.
- It’s all in those eyes – Does your dog ever stare at you with those puppy dog eyes that allow them to get away with so much? If so, then this is another way your four-legged friend is showing you affection. They might be interested in what you are doing, checking you are still there or trying to get your attention for some playtime.
- Bringing you a toy – Does your Poodle have that favorite toy that is battered, smelly, and falling to pieces and they still insist on bringing it and placing it on your lap? Well, this means you are loved and trusted by your pooch and they want to share their most favorite thing with you. So next time you end up with a drooly, stinky teddy on your lap remember, it’s an honor!
- Nuzzling and cuddling – Dogs get happy from cuddles and close contact just like humans do. Poodles are one of the cuddliest breeds out there so at the end of the day they’ll love nothing more than cuddling in with you for the evening.
- Licking – Perhaps not the most savory habit dogs have but they do like to kiss their owners. While this should be discouraged, (just think of the plethora of germs on that tongue), it can be very cute when a Poodle wants to kiss.
The Downside to Owning an Affectionate Poodle
It’s hard to believe that there are any downfalls to having an affectionate Poodle in your home and for the majority of the time there won’t be issues. Sometimes though, there may be some problems that will need to be addressed to keep the home a happy place.
One downside to owning an affectionate Poodle might be their clingy behavior. It can be sweet having a dog follow you everywhere, maybe not so much when you wish to use the bathroom though. This shadowing can also lead to further problems such as separation anxiety when they are left alone. This can make dogs unhappy and even destructive in your absence.
Jealousy can be a problem that stems from owning a loving Poodle. Some dogs have been known to be jealous of human relationships, particularly intimate ones between lovers. Sometimes dogs will take an instant dislike to their owner’s significant other and this needs to be dealt with right away through lots of positive reinforcement and showing you are in charge.
Sometimes Poodles form a bond with just one member of the household and while they like other members they will only listen to their main bond. This can cause problems, especially if the person in question is away or the dog is being walked by someone else. It’s important your Poodle can take commands from other people.
To Summarize
Wow, Poodles really are an affectionate breed with so much love and adoration to give. It’s easy to see why so many families choose this breed and why such strong bonds are formed between dogs and humans worldwide.
We should point out, however, that every dog has its own unique personality so don’t necessarily assume your Poodle will fit perfectly into the affectionate title. It’s likely that they will but it’s not a given, and some will be more loving than others.
That said, there is nothing more uplifting than doggy love so enjoy the licks, the wagging, and the cuddles.