Here in this question are Rat Terriers affectionate? As first-time owners, we are in luck today, as I am going to be sharing with us some adorable ways Rat Terriers can show affection to their owners.
I know we all wish dogs could speak our language. It would make things a lot easier. Isn’t it? But they can’t.
So, how do Rat Terriers express their love for their owners? It’s an unanswered question. We’ll learn how they demonstrate affection as we progress through this article.
Whether it’s bringing us their toys, stealing items, or even bringing us a dead squirrel or rat, it’s all part of the game. These behaviors, however, are both strange and adorable.
Are Rat Terriers Affectionate
Yes, Rat Terriers are affectionate, clever, and eager to look after their owners. When Rat Terriers follow you around, touching or putting their face close to yours, they demonstrate affection for you. Keeping an eye on you as you eat, bringing toys to you, and providing emotional support to their owners are just some of the things they do.
So, let’s move on to explain in detail the ways Rat Terriers can show affection to their owners:
1. Rat Terriers express affection when caressing or laying their face near to yours.
while your Rat Terrier can’t say those three magical words he simply shows you by letting other dogs know that you belong to him.
If your Rat Terrier ever placed its face next to yours and rubbed his face on yours, well this is no coincidence.
But clever maneuver dogs have scent glands in their faces, so when he rubs his face against yours it might be an attempt to mark you with his scent.
This territorial marking serves as a signal to other dogs to steer clear of you.
Sometimes your Rat Terrier does this to get your attention.
But other times, your Rat Terrier is marking his prized possession, mutts don’t like to share things they love.
It’s why your Rat Terrier gives you that death stare when he sees you petting another dog.
Some might even growl to show their discontent it’s always one of those reasons why your Rat Terrier sniffs you when you get home.
He wants to know if you have cheated on him with another dog. Yes, they are very possessive.
2. Rat Terriers demonstrate affection like herding.
Here, not only that Rat Terriers very possessive, but they are also very protective of their pack.
It is going to be your Rat Terrier’s nightmare if anything happens to you or any of your family members.
Therefore he barks when he sees a stranger approaching your compound to alert you and also to tell the person to stay away.
However, apart from barking your Rat Terrier may also herd to protect their pack members.
Rat Terriers are most likely to do this, as they are known for their hunting and herding instincts.
While the entire family is taking a stroll, if someone or another pet steps off the sidewalk, your Rat Terrier will herd the wayward member back onto the sidewalk and safety.
This is a way Rat Terriers are affectionate to you and his other pack members.
3. They are concerned when you lie down for an extended period of time.
When you lie down for an extended period of time, your Rat Terrier will become concerned.
Ratties are very loyal animals who will lay down their life for you if they have to.
They can’t imagine life without their favorite humans and would freak out if they think anything is wrong with their loved ones.
Have you ever played dead with your Rat Terrier just to see how he will react?
Your Rat Terrier will probably lose his cool and become aggressive because of how scared he is.
In this scenario, your Rat Terrier will lick your head and face desperately if they think you are unconscious or unresponsive.
These are signs of love that show you how much your Rat Terrier expresses affection toward you.
Also if you are asleep for long hours during the day your Rat Terrier will most likely come to the bed and nudge or lick you to wake you up.
It’s a sign he cares about you and has come back to check how you are doing. You see to it, Rat Terriers are affectionate.
4. Your Rat Terrier will keep an eye on you as you eat.
While you’re eating, your Rat Terrier will show you affection by keeping an eye on you.
It is a common sight for your Rat Terrier to sit close to the table while you eat and stares at you with those cute big brown eyes.
However, contrary to what many things your Rat Terrier will sit on you while you are eating, not only because they want part of your meal, but also because your Rat Terrier is guarding you.
Your Rat Terrier is your companion, he is protecting you while you’re eating if his back is turned to your table.
They’re paying attention to all other things around you. You are his most treasured asset, and his sole focus is to keep you safe.
However, various animal experts have stated that it’s best to discourage this behavior as it can only lead to your Rat Terrier to become overly territorial or developing other behavioral problems.
Again, thesprucepets says: The key is to maintain natural eye contact while you’re playing or cuddling. If you force eye contact with your dog, it’ll probably get a little uncomfortable and look away.
5. When he hears your name, he becomes aroused.
Your Rat Terrier shows affection when he hears your name, he becomes excited.
Every dog lover knows about the over-excited welcome party that awaits them when they get home from work.
Your Rat Terrier probably sits behind the door while waiting for you to get home, and then he goes berserk when you finally get home by bouncing off the wall and furniture.
But what if I tell you that not only your arrival excites your Rat Terrier.
So far your Rat Terrier really loves you, he will also be excited about you even in your absence just by hearing your name.
Ratties are intelligent to learn their own name but also the name of their favorite human.
According to veterinarian James Richardson, if a dog hears the name of a loved one who is not present, it will get excited in the present in the thought they might appear.
If that doesn’t signify affection, I don’t know what does.
6. Bringing toys to you.
Your Rat Terrier will show affection to you while bringing toys to you.
When your Rat Terrier is bringing you their toys is one of the more glaring ways of professing their love for you.
Ratties are very protective of their possessions and their toys are one of those items they cherish most.
Ratties have an emotional attachment to their toys. Having an attachment to a particular toy run so deep that they can’t sleep at night without it.
It is almost like they consider it as a member of the pack. Hence, they feel the need to protect it.
They don’t like to share, and some dogs will bare their teeth and growl when anyone tries to grab their plaything.
So if your Rat Terrier brings you any of the things he caught it shows that he trusts and loves you and of course, it also means he wants you to play with him.
7. Examining you.
Ratties show affection by keeping an eye on you. Unlike his toy, you are not just one of your Rat Terrier’s most treasured possessions.
You are the item that he places the most value on, while we all know that most dogs like to follow their favorite human everywhere, some don’t.
But that doesn’t mean your Rat Terrier loves you any less. Your Rat Terrier might simply have a more independent who trusts and doesn’t see a need to be around you all the time or curl himself next to your feet.
He understands you need to be alone at certain times while doing some activities, and he also values his space as well.
Instead, he has a routine for checking in on you from time to time when you are in another room.
Your Rat Terrier will most likely also do this when you’re in a new environment. That’s to tell you, Rat Terriers are affectionate.
8. Delivering emotional assistance.
One of the best qualities of your Rat Terrier is their emotional intelligence, just as they have learned to read our body language for cues about what we want them to do.
Ratties are also smart enough to know how you are feeling. Research has shown that your Rat Terrier can tell when you are happy and when you are going through a difficult period.
So, what do they do? Ratties will either try to mirror your emotions or respond in the best way possible.
If you have had a good day at the office, your Rat Terrier will know. You would find him jumping around and full of energy.
During those periods when you’re having a difficult time, your Rat Terrier will respond by cuddling you, he knows he needs someone to comfort you, and he will try to do just that.
9. By removing your stuff.
Your Rat Terrier will also demonstrate affection by always taking your things and keeping them for themselves.
Every dog lover must have had their fluffy friend still in their socks or other pieces of clothing. Now, I know this is one of those dog behaviors that not many of us appreciate.
I would suggest you indulge your Rat Terrier, for them, it’s a sign of love your Rat Terrier takes your clothes because he can perceive your scent on them.
It’s why your Rat Terrier prefers to take your dirty clothes rather than the clean ones as it is still laced with your smell your Rat Terrier can’t get enough of you.
And snuggling with your dirty clothes makes him feels like his next to you.
Some vets advise you should leave one of your dirty clothes with your Rat Terrier when you leave the house.
This can help prevent destructive behavior and comfort them while you are away. It’s best to leave a piece of clothing that you no longer need.
10. Excited peeing.
When you have to leave the house and go to work, that moment is the worst part of your Rat Terrier’s day.
They imagine the worst when their owner leaves home. What if you don’t return and your Rat Terrier has to be alone all the time.
It’s why your Rat Terrier react in different ways to the absence of their owner. Your Rat Terrier might have a change of attitude, and you can tell they are unhappy.
Your Rat Terrier might start scratching the door and become destructive because they are bored.
They might sit at the window and barks when you leave the house, but the moment you return home, everything is well with the world again.
This is how your Rat Terrier might go crazy, and he can’t control himself before he gets to see you again.
His excitement might also make him pee in the house, but it doesn’t mean his potty training is regressing, he is just thrilled to see you.
