is this normal

[Julie Fred]

Tank loves to lay outside in the cold weather all day. She will come in for lunch and water, but prefers to stay outside.

Are there excercises I can do to bond with her more or is this normal for some newfs?

I have never had such an independent dog.

 

[JackandKelly]

Julie,
I don't know if it's normal, but I can say that Lola didn't become snuggly until 9 months old. She was pretty independent. As I type this I have 5 snuggly dachshunds in the chair with me and Lola is on the floor chewing a toy, but since she has been 9 months old she does "miss" me I guess and will come up and climb in the chair too so she can be in my lap..squishing all the dachshunds. She climbs up, lays in my lap and snuggles at least a couple times every time I sit down. Under 9 months old she just stayed in the floor.
I don't know if she would stay outside though since she is only allowed to be out a few minutes to do her business then right back inside. If I left her out there she would literally live in the lake. Does Tank follow you everywhere? Lola is attached to my side when I am up walking around or doing housework.
It seems we bond well when I sit in the floor with her and watch TV. When I am in the floor she lays on me, pushes her mouth against my face to get drool on it and just in general spends time with me. We have great play time when I am in the floor.

 

[charlieinnj]

In my case, it was 'normal' what you're going through. Oliver was the same way. He still marches the the beat of a different drummer (LOL!) but he finally became more clingy/cuddly/affectionate around 2 1/2 - 3. Before that? Forget it....

 

[Wayne A]

Chloe likes to lay out on the back deck.It's cool and up high so she can see over her domain.As for the cold she can't get enough of it.

 

[SarahZ]

I don't know if it's normal either, but Moe is like that. He loves being outside in this weather, he snoozes, he watches people and cars and squirrels, keep an eye on things in general. I want him to be with me! When we bring him in, he'll come in for a drink or a cookie, but 5 minutes later he wants to go out again.
He is 19 months old now, and he's never been a cuddler. We have our special time where we lay on the floor and I rub him and love on him, and he licks me (alot), but that's it. Even as a little puppy, he was too busy doing things and investigating things to snuggle.

 

[Sue M.]

I'd say it's pretty normal for Newfies.

 

[dblsr]

I think if all Newfs were allowed to choose, especially in cold weather, they would all be outside. They LOVE it! Rose would live out there. She probably wonder's why I keep ruining her fun, by making her come in for no reason. What would be perfect for them is, if we would go and lay out there in the snow with them.

 

[NewfDad]

Wait till July, July in DC you can't hardly get them to go out for any reason. Hot weather, grown up dog, inside all the way.
ART

 

[brownnewf]

Leroy loves to be outside in this weather. He would lay out there all day and night if I let him. I feel bad sometimes, like he is being left out of the family beacuse he is outside and everyone else is inside.
Sherman likes to go out alot, but only for short periods of time. He will only stay out long if I am out there with him. When inside he follows me from room to room. Leroy would rather be laying in the basement where it is cooler.

 

[newfy]

Newfies like the cold,
Tiki is sitting outside on the deck as we speak, it is 30 & very windy, he is laying on his favorite lounge chair & looking happy, but if he sensing that I may be going to work, he always wants to go, he will cry if I go & do not take him; Merlin likes it outside, he will stay out at night when it is cold & snowy, I have to drag him in sometimes, just sitting in the yard & howling at the fire sirens...........