Molly (our springer spaniel) and her relationship with our sofa!

Molly settled on the sofa

Molly at the end of a good graunge on the sofa.

Hello again. I couldn't resist sharing with you some more Christmas photos of Molly my springer spaniel.

In my first blog about Molly ("introducing Molly") I told readers how Molly was very nervous as a pup due to a deprived puppy hood. The two springers I had before molly used to love to sleep one either side of me on the sofa. This for me was very comforting and relaxing. So.. When I got Molly I tried to encourage her to join me on the sofa - but she would stare in a threatening way, warning bit my had- then try to climb on the back of the sofa behind our heads - she was plainly terrified by it all.

She is now 9 years old - and has come to understand me a little better. We have come to a happy compromise regarding the sofa!

So when I first sit down on the sofa she will jump up beside me and have a little lean on me and accept some fuss and sloppy conversation . Then she always has a a happy graunge - on her back - rolling and kicking her legs out and up and making sure the sofa is well and truly covered in her scent.

We then move on to phase three of her relationship with the sofa - she may settle for a little ( the top and perhaps even have a short dose if my attention is fully on the TV rather than on her.

Then she obviously feels she has fulfilled her duty as my pet and takes herself off the sofa and into her bed. where she sleeps well 

I have come to understand that too much interaction stresses her but that the little that she chooses to have does make her happy (and me !).

All the best

Caroline

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Keywords: Dog Springer Chair Sofa Cuddle Anxious Pet