Okay, so maybe they aren't BFFs, but they are tolerating each other well. We have made some changes to make Simba realize that Gwen isn't replacing him so he will like her more. These include giving him treats whenever we do something special for her, creating an ottoman (yes, creating - I didn't want to buy a $200 matching ottoman to go with my glider, so I took a large rubbermaid container that I use to store craft supplies, covered it with an old comforter that is folded over twice to make it extra soft, and pushed it up to the chair. It is also next to the window so he can look out the window to occupy himself while I am feeding or reading to her) in the nursery for him to sit on while I am sitting in the glider rocker with Gwen, and making sure to play with him and let him sit on our laps when they are not in use by Gwen.
How can I tell that they are getting along better? Well, while Gwen wasn't having any problems with the poodle before, she has gone from not paying any attention to him to watching him when he's around and active. As for Simba, he stopped growling at her. Additionally, he hadn't been sitting on our laps, even when she wasn't on our laps, for the first few weeks we were home. He finally decided that he would like to sit on our laps again. Maybe he has forgiven us since we have been spoiling him with treats. And he doesn't just sit on our laps, but he comes over when we have Gwen (who he used to make a large circle around) and will lay with her (he does look slightly annoyed when she whacks him with one of her flailing limbs, but then quickly goes back to sleep). Finally, he tries to comfort her by licking her. I realize that licking is not the dog trying to give you a kiss, but I do think that he uses it as a means of comfort. Whenever I cry, he comes up to me and tries to lick me. He did the same thing to my mother-in-law when she was walking him and tripped, skinning her knee. When Gwen cries, he tries to lick her. I tell him no, and I would prefer this habit he is developing to be broken quickly, but at least it is a sign of acceptance and protection.
How can I tell that they are getting along better? Well, while Gwen wasn't having any problems with the poodle before, she has gone from not paying any attention to him to watching him when he's around and active. As for Simba, he stopped growling at her. Additionally, he hadn't been sitting on our laps, even when she wasn't on our laps, for the first few weeks we were home. He finally decided that he would like to sit on our laps again. Maybe he has forgiven us since we have been spoiling him with treats. And he doesn't just sit on our laps, but he comes over when we have Gwen (who he used to make a large circle around) and will lay with her (he does look slightly annoyed when she whacks him with one of her flailing limbs, but then quickly goes back to sleep). Finally, he tries to comfort her by licking her. I realize that licking is not the dog trying to give you a kiss, but I do think that he uses it as a means of comfort. Whenever I cry, he comes up to me and tries to lick me. He did the same thing to my mother-in-law when she was walking him and tripped, skinning her knee. When Gwen cries, he tries to lick her. I tell him no, and I would prefer this habit he is developing to be broken quickly, but at least it is a sign of acceptance and protection.
No comments:
Post a Comment