Recently, I saw an episode of It’s Me or The Dog with a dog owner that whined because other dogs could handle stressful
situations, but her dog couldn’t. She seemed surprised that dogs, like people, have different personalities and limitations and wanted her dog to be different. I was annoyed by the whiny lady, but I could certainly relate to the “why can’t my dog be more like…” mentality.
I try to take Pooh for what she is and not compare her to other dogs, but it can be tough sometimes. I have adjusted my
perspective since living with her so that I have a “new norm” in living with a dog. I love to cuddle with my pets and she isn’t very comfortable being touched so we don’t cuddle. I do all sorts of things like rub parts of her body, hug her around the neck, fluff up her ears, touch her feet, and try to give her massages. I have even been known to lie down next to her on an oversized dog bed (she got up and left!). To this day she has never rolled over on her back so I can rub her tummy. She has reached a point so she enjoys having her tummy rubbed, but she will stand stiffly…never laying on her side or her back. My goals with touch were conservative. I wanted her to be comfortable with people petting her and allow for medical treatment.
Then, last weekend she walked up to the couch and looked longingly up at me. I was bit confused because this was not something I had ever seen her do. Perhaps I was misinterpreting based on my own wishes? I spread a blanket out on my lap (blankets seem to calm/signal her) and patted my lap with a quiet “up”. She jumped up and settled on my lap!! In that moment I realized how much I missed having a cuddly dog and how grateful I was to have her on my lap!! She laid there for forty minutes and has repeated the process this week. So, respectfully accept your dog’s limitations, but don’t be afraid to ask for what you want…perhaps your dog can meet you half way. It certainly wasn’t the first time I had asked, but it was the first time she was ready.
situations, but her dog couldn’t. She seemed surprised that dogs, like people, have different personalities and limitations and wanted her dog to be different. I was annoyed by the whiny lady, but I could certainly relate to the “why can’t my dog be more like…” mentality.
I try to take Pooh for what she is and not compare her to other dogs, but it can be tough sometimes. I have adjusted my
perspective since living with her so that I have a “new norm” in living with a dog. I love to cuddle with my pets and she isn’t very comfortable being touched so we don’t cuddle. I do all sorts of things like rub parts of her body, hug her around the neck, fluff up her ears, touch her feet, and try to give her massages. I have even been known to lie down next to her on an oversized dog bed (she got up and left!). To this day she has never rolled over on her back so I can rub her tummy. She has reached a point so she enjoys having her tummy rubbed, but she will stand stiffly…never laying on her side or her back. My goals with touch were conservative. I wanted her to be comfortable with people petting her and allow for medical treatment.
Then, last weekend she walked up to the couch and looked longingly up at me. I was bit confused because this was not something I had ever seen her do. Perhaps I was misinterpreting based on my own wishes? I spread a blanket out on my lap (blankets seem to calm/signal her) and patted my lap with a quiet “up”. She jumped up and settled on my lap!! In that moment I realized how much I missed having a cuddly dog and how grateful I was to have her on my lap!! She laid there for forty minutes and has repeated the process this week. So, respectfully accept your dog’s limitations, but don’t be afraid to ask for what you want…perhaps your dog can meet you half way. It certainly wasn’t the first time I had asked, but it was the first time she was ready.