Kenzo snuggle behavior

Vahid

I noticed something interesting and was wondering whether any other Shikoku owners have had similar experiences.

Normally Kenzo is not particularly into cuddles, he accepts it easily but won't seek it out or react to it much.

However, I noticed that after I 'get mad' at Kenzo and tell him off for something (which I do with a looming body posture and a vocalization) he will back off for a second as though he has had a little shock (in what I THINK is a submissive rather than excited way), but recently after this he will come right back and solicit some real snuggling as if to ask 'do you still love me? am I still in the pack?' He'll do this by pressing his side against me a lot and brushing his head around, really enjoying it when I pet him. He will sometimes put his ears back in the submissive position too.

Anyone else had this happen? And any ideas about how to get this kind of behavior out of him without having to 'get mad' first?

This occurs most often when I'm working and he comes over and grumbles at me because he's bored and wants to play or go outside. He'll get a little antsy, and then after I tell him no, he will skitter away and then come back- having calmed right down- and do the snuggle thing.

Leonberger

One of the most typical characteristics of the Nihon ken is their independence, they won't often have expansive displays of affection. It doesn't men they don't love us, but they do so their way, which isn't expansive at all. I have to say that's one of the traits that lead me to Akita.

Then you have to weigh the fact that you got him not that long ago, and already at 10 months. So give him time to bond tightly (or more tightly) with you, and he might get a bit more expansive. Just remember not to expect Lab behaviour.
:-)

dlroberts

I don't have experience with Shikoku, but I know my Shiba boy suddenly decided he liked affection around 13 months old. He went from shying away whenever I tried to pet him (not out of fear, just a dislike for being pet) to approaching and nagging me for affection in the period of 3-4 weeks. Now snuggles are a weekly(ish) part of our routine, belly rubs are a daily part, and general petting/scratching happens 10s of times per day.

Give Kenzo a few more months as I suspect he'll become a bit more affectionate as he calms down.

Heidi

Rakka wants affection all the time. If she wants attention and I'm ignoring her, she paws at me and sings to me until I pet her. She also likes to molest all the visitors that come over with a tornado of shika love. Tojo, on the other hand, will only rarely show affection. If someone is upset, he will usually want to sit near them and put his head in their lap. He also does this to visitors sometimes.

ddowdemers

Tenji loves affection. Has since he was a pup.
Tenji becomes particularly affectionate after a correction.

BradA1878

Loa always wants to snuggle, but Ahi is not a snuggler. I have noticed tho, if I get mad she will come up and offer affection to me to try and sooth the situation.

So, yes, I have noticed a similar behavior with Ahi, our older Shikoku. As she gets older she gets more snuggly tho.... so some may be age and independence.

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LisaW

Sophie isnt a Shikoku but I have seen it many times that when a dog told her off she often came back and rubbed her had at the other dogs one or tried to lick his mouth... so perhaps cuddling is like you said Kenzos way of making your relationship good again :)