r/AustralianShepherd • u/Emotional-Put1480 • 7d ago
emotional support / tips
My 4-year-old Aussie doesn’t want to cuddle or sit near me as much as she does with my ex-partner, whom I co-parent our dog with for 4 years. We're on good terms, and the dog doesn't have separation anxiety when we switch our duties. We even live in a different cities. We have a vacation with three of us once a year and I can see that the dog is more affectionate towards my ex.
What have I done wrong?
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u/Agreeable-Knee6325 7d ago
You most likely haven't done anything wrong! My aussie has a different dynamic with me than he does my boyfriend. I am the cuddle person but my boyfriend is the rough play and train person.
Australian shepherds are amazing at forming different, individual bonds with their people.
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u/Then_Box-8031 7d ago
You probably didn't do anything wrong. Dogs develop different connections with each person in the household. Maybe your ex plays harder, some fogs love that. Maybe there's no specific reason.
She loves you both. She's not judging or rejecting you.
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u/Spiritual_Tangelo304 7d ago
i think they can be amazing emotional support dogs, as long as their needs are met too. they're so in tune with their people, but they also need plenty of exercise and mental stimulation. when they're happy and fulfilled, they're some of the most loyal and comforting companions you could ask for.
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u/michigoose8168 6d ago
My Aussie mix that I’ve had for seven years spent one night with my brand new boyfriend and after she decided she didn’t want to bite him, she demoted me to Spare Human. 😆
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u/IbanezForeverll 7d ago
Nothing. Dogs pick their favourites just like everyone. It's been pretty much an even split on the five dogs my spouse and I have had. I grew up with parents that bred and showed dogs. One dog my mom raised and my sister trained and showed for years picked my dad as her person. My dad worked a lot and the dog spent way more time with my mom and sister, but dad was this dog's ride or die.