Pugs have what some call a “face only a mother could love”, yet this breed of dog has made its way into the hearts of many. Still, whether you are wondering if your pug’s sleep habits are normal or are just looking at what owning a pug might be like, you might wonder if they are lazy.
Pugs are known to be more lazy than many other breeds because of their low to medium energy level. Because of their small stature, they cannot complete strenuous exercises but still require physical movement and should be given attention accordingly. Pugs can become bored, leading to excessive rest.
Interestingly, this breed learns quickly and is prone to playfulness when actively engaged with family members making the pug an ideal family dog. Still, pugs prefer that you initiate the play and are less likely to come bounding down the hall when you could come to them instead- a tip to their sass as well. Let’s take a closer look at what makes pugs often be perceived as lazy.
What Kind of Temperament Does a Pug Have?
Before you bring any pet into your home, you want to make sure that he or she has the right fit for your family. While there are no guarantees, one way to help ensure that a certain breed of dog might be the right breed for you is to know the dog’s temperament and then assess whether or not this is the type of dog you are looking for.
When it comes to pugs, you can expect a playful, fast-learning, stubborn, and sometimes lazy breed. This breed of dog knows that it can charm you, so expect for your pug to attempt to take the dominant position rather than allowing you to do so. This can make training difficult, but it is not overwhelming.
It might seem like a paradox to think of a pug as both playful and lazy, yet this is the case with this breed of dog. It is known to be playful with its owners (as well as other new people) whenever the people are the ones to initiate the play.
However, on the opposite end of this, pugs are fast-learning meaning they will wait for you to initiate play before beginning. With that said, you might see your pug as lazy as he or she does not begin the games, yet he or she will jump right in whenever you are the one to start this. So, call it lazy or stubborn, the pug breed has figured out how to work its owners from the start.
This is just one more reason that it is incredibly important for a pug owner to initiate physical and mental stimulation via exercise opportunities, toys, and games. Since the pug is not the type of dog that will run to the door and wait for you to bring over his or her leash, you will want to maintain a routine with your pet to encourage them to enjoy moderate amounts of exercise with you. This can be an incredible bonding opportunity for you and your pet if nothing else.
Along with this, you will want to engage your pug with opportunities for mental exercises as well including providing appropriate chew toys, playing indoor games with your pet, and even playing a game of hide-and-seek to keep your pet happy and healthy. You may find that if your pet does not have adequate opportunities for these types of exercises that he or she will become bored and consequently rest an excessive amount.
Through the continued provision of mental and physical exercise opportunities, your pug can remain healthy, playful, and hopefully, you can ward off some of the stubbornness that seems to come with this breed.
Can Pugs be Left Alone?
Now that you are aware of why pugs can be perceived (and be) lazy pets, you might be wondering if they can be left alone? Sure, they might not mind the extra time to sleep or do absolutely nothing except bask in their sunny spot on your living room carpet, but is leaving them home alone good for them?
Pugs that have been house trained can be left alone between 8-10 hours a day as long as they have access to food and water and ideally can be let out to relieve themselves after 4 hours. If you are leaving your pet alone during the day, be sure to provide physical exercise attention when you come home.
A pug is the type of dog breed that likely would not mind being left alone too much in the sense that he or she will be fine to chill out on your sofa (or maybe even sneak his or her way into your bed while you are not looking). Still, this does not mean that you can simply abandon your pet or that leaving them entirely alone is good for them.
If you are fortunate enough to work from home some days or can even commute home for your lunch break, it is ideal to use this time not only to allow your pug to relieve his or herself outdoors, but this can be a great opportunity to check in on your pet and let him or her know that he or she is not alone for the long haul.
Another way to combat leaving your pet alone is to hire a dog walker or dog sitter to take your pet outside for you if you are unable to make it home for your lunch break every day. This investment is well worth it for the long physically healthy and happy life of your pet.
This can be incredibly helpful in establishing and maintaining a routine for your pug, too. If you hire a dog walker to come every day at lunchtime, and you are around on the weekends to maintain the same routine, then your pug will become accustomed to this opportunity for physical exercise, a chance to relieve themselves, and will ultimately look forward to this bonding interaction rather than being incredibly stubborn about it.
Obviously, avoiding stubborn behavior by your pet can be not only a way to avoid your own frustration, but it can help to set the appropriate roles of dominance in your home- allowing your pug to see you as the confident leader that he or she needs you to be.
Are Pugs Clingy?
While you can leave your pug home alone, you might be wondering about what he or she will be like when you arrive at home after a long day. While your pet might be ready to wag his tail to welcome you back into your house, you might be wondering how long this excitement will last- or if the excitement of you coming home will be easily overlooked by the introduction of food or a new toy.
Some people find that pugs are incredibly clingy, prone to separation anxiety, and likely to sit on your feet as a demonstration of loyalty and closeness. While pugs can be a bit lazy, this does not follow suit in their willingness to follow your every move when they are not sleeping.
This combination can be a bit frustrating for some people, especially if they have never experienced a pet who is highly anxious or needy. However, due to the pug’s breeding history, it is a type of dog breed that is not known to be highly independent but is particularly loyal (aka clingy) to its owners.
However, there are a few different ways that you can help your pug to become less clingy. Mainly, spending consistent time dedicated to the physical and mental care of your pet is incredibly important. Even if this is just 10-minutes at the start or end of the day, showing your pet that you care can go a long way.
You can also consider obedience training for your pug to help with his or her clinginess. Often, your pug may be clingy because he or she does not trust that he or she is safe unless they are found right by your side. However, through consistent obedience training, you can help show your pet that you are in charge and will take care of them- even if they are not right by your side.
You can also consult your vet for any behavioral concerns if the issue becomes severe. Even if your veterinarian is not a trained animal behaviorist, they will be able to point out any inconsistencies (or consistencies) that are leading to your pet acting so clingy. They might even encourage you to provide a special toy or blanket to your pet for comfort while you are away- it might seem a bit far, but if it works and is the best for you and your pet, then it is worth a shot.
