Does he not like me anymore?

[BobbiandPaul]

For the past 2 months my 5 year old male Paul won't cuddle on the couch anymore. If he is on the couch and I sit on it he will get off. If I sit on the floor with him, he'll get up and leave. No other behavior has seemed to change but this is making me so sad! Could this be sign of something else going on?

 

[Ddski5]

Not quite sure on what’s going on there but if I wanted to gain his attention, I would go back to basic obedience training in the yard. First start on leash and then graduate up to off leash- all the while feeding him by hand his daily meals when he got the commands correct.

Never met a Doberman that didn’t like attention or training.

 

[Ravenbird]

No other behavior has seemed to change but this is making me so sad! Could this be sign of something else going on?

As @Ddski5 mentioned, try doing something WITH him, that involves both of you interacting and rewards that are meaningful to him. If something that use to get him excited is now boring or he doesn't want to expend the energy, then maybe take him for a check up and a general blood work panel to make sure it's not a physical ailment. If there are others in your household, is he doing the same thing with them?

Welcome to Doberman Chat, we always enjoy pictures of new dogs!

 

[BobbiandPaul]

 

[BobbiandPaul]

Thanks so much for the feedback! Yes, my concern also jumps to maybe there is something physically wrong. It's just my husband and I in the house now, and I feel he does this a bit more with me.
I am going to switch up our routine and spend more time training again. He is a super chill/lazy dog, but we do get out for a leashed 30 min walk once or twice a day.

 

[Ddski5]

It doesn’t have to be long…just go out there with a pocket full of kibble and get him to do things in which he thinks he is pleasing you. Then reward him for pleasing you.
If you are capable, take him to a local park for a walk…a different look, a different smell. The excitement of the newness will be related to “mom”, the giver of good things.

Mine loves to go to the different parks and when I do this a lot, she will ignore my other family members and give me the sole attention at home. When family members complain, and they do…I tell them to take her to the park and do some light training with her if they want to gain her attention more.

 

[Fladobe]

By always going to new exciting places sometimes you can be so connected that all you have to do is think about leaving and the dog is on you.

It doesn’t have to be long…just go out there with a pocket full of kibble and get him to do things in which he thinks he is pleasing you. Then reward him for pleasing you.
If you are capable, take him to a local park for a walk…a different look, a different smell. The excitement of the newness will be related to “mom”, the giver of good things.

Mine loves to go to the different parks and when I do this a lot, she will ignore my other family members and give me the sole attention at home. When family members complain, and they do…I tell them to take her to the park and do some light training with her if they want to gain her attention more.

 

[Two Dobes]

Yes, I would wonder about a physical ailment as well....because dobermans don't ever seem to mind being close...when they don't feel well, they will want to be left alone. They are so stoic, that in my experience; once it comes to that, something is definitely wrong.
Love the photo, please keep us posted how he is!

 

[JanS]

Welcome from Minnesota!

I agree that it would be a good idea to have him checked by a vet since it is very unlike them to not want to be near you all the time. Granted our boy will get off the couch to go lay on the floor if he gets too warm but he comes back within a half hour or so.

 

[Ravenbird]

because dobermans don't ever seem to mind being close..

LOL, except mine. She wasn't cuddly ever, even as a puppy wouldn't fall asleep near anyone, only in the crate or the x-pen. She didn't like being petted or rubbed on, generally didn't like being touched much at all, just play and romp and zoom and be crazy. Little by little she began liking her ears rubbed, her neck scratched or resting her head on my knee when I was sitting somewhere. On the bed she always laid on the bottom half, rarely leaning on me. Until the last couple of years, closer and closer, leaning and even laying across my legs or torso on the bed. But it took years. It's just how she always was, so now it's really special to me.