OP, don't think of yourself too highly.. you are just another dog to him..

Except you are more bony and hard to sleep on.. but he suffers and endures the inconvenience.

Anonymous wrote:My dog is not a cuddler at all and I am jealous. He will come, put his head in your lap for exactly 15 seconds, and then immediately jump up and be ready to play or run around or something. Part of me wishes I had a couch potato lapdog!!

You need to plan for it.
YOu need to get a breed that is like you want and within a breed individual dogs can be more or less clingy too so you need to buy a dog for character and personality.

Anonymous wrote:I write this with my 30 lb dog curled up in a ball on my lap on the sofa. At night he must be glued to a human at all times except if it's hot. He doesn't get separation anxiety when we leave, so I don't think that's it. Is it because I'm warm (even though he's warmer than me)? Is it because I give him food and this is him returning the favor by doing something her perceives as nice for me? Does he love me or is that too advanced of a concept?

Not complaining, I love it. I'm just so curious!

Dogs are pack animals. You are his pack.
Dogs are attached to humans that they consider smarter then themselves hence you are his top dog.
Dogs sleep about 16 hours a day and when they do, they often sleep together and overlap for warmth, you are it.
Dogs love warmth of your lap and your closeness.
Dog is protecting you from whatever by being so close to you. This his how he satissfies his all needs:

To be near you. To keep you warm and himself. To protect you and the parameter, you are most important to him. To unify resources, he is close to you as if danger comes, you two have greater chance of survival if he was alone under the sofa and you next to the computer.

Some breeds are more human clingy then others. I am assuming your dog is of from a work dog breed or mix..perhaps spitz or other german mix breed? They are most human clingy and have sense of duty to protect human as close as possible.

Most of the theories presented here is total BS that does not take actual dog as a human companion for EONS into the account. This is a dog equivalent of Anthropology if you will.. to know how they operate..
Canino... logy.

My current dog, a wee border collie, is like Velcro - always wants to be cuddled up next to me or at very least will have her feet against me in bed when it’s too hot to cuddle close.

My dog is not a cuddler at all and I am jealous. He will come, put his head in your lap for exactly 15 seconds, and then immediately jump up and be ready to play or run around or something. Part of me wishes I had a couch potato lapdog!!

Because he loves people. He cuddles with us but honestly, would cuddle with most nice people who are down for a good pet and belly rub. The gold standard is definitely under a blanket on a couch or in bed, but he'll take the affection from any random admirer who calls him pretty or cute on the street.

-Golden Retriever

Me and my yorkies hug and kiss all the time. They put their arms around me to hug or wrap themselves on my head.

Our hound mix likes the couch, bed, and snuggly blankets. I’d like to think she wants to cuddle with me, but I think she really loves soft spaces.

Your dog wants to cuddle because you smell good, you are the pack leader, you're her bestie, it feels good, etc. Does your dog ever paw you or pet you? Same thing!

Same reason we do. It creates a bond, it releases oxytocin for them as well.

He loves you. They’re pack animals and are wired to form emotional connections. That’s why dogs and humans have evolved together.

I write this with my 30 lb dog curled up in a ball on my lap on the sofa. At night he must be glued to a human at all times except if it's hot. He doesn't get separation anxiety when we leave, so I don't think that's it. Is it because I'm warm (even though he's warmer than me)? Is it because I give him food and this is him returning the favor by doing something her perceives as nice for me? Does he love me or is that too advanced of a concept?

Not complaining, I love it. I'm just so curious!