It makes him very happy. I mean, really, what dog wouldn't be thrilled to have their very own puppy man cave?
My hope is that having his very own cozy puppy man cave will help Hurley progress on his journey towards accepting other dogs in the shop. Actually, he would totally accept them all, if they would all accept him charging at them like a wild beast & barking as soon as they entered the store. If they're cool with that rude greeting, he calms down and then wants to play. If they're not, well, you can imagine.
So our focus has been creating his safe & cozy place & training him to remain in that safe & cozy place whenever a dog comes in. To ensure that he stays, he's tethered and I have a barrier at the edge of the counter so that he can't see the other dog. He's been doing great with this arrangement & I can see how content he is hanging out by my side. He's even beginning to show that he understands that staying under the counter is his job when a dog comes in. One step closer to a bark-and-charge-free zone!
What a cute cave!
ReplyDeleteStop on by for a visit
Kari
http://dogisgodinreverse.com
Great idea! A safe place that is all his and next to you, while you handle the dogs, may be just what he needs right now. I think it sounds like a great arrangement. I know it works in our house when they have their own spots to hide in.
ReplyDeleteThat's such a great idea for managing a potentially stressful situation. Lucas likes to hide out in his version of the puppy man cave, under my desk, whenever it storms. I think having a safe retreat is such a great idea because they can feel so much more secure and comfortable. Plus, it makes for one darling picture!
ReplyDeleteHaving their own safe places is very important. Dottie has her own cave in our house, it's under our bed, she sleeps there, goes there if she gets nervous or scared, in fact we call it the Dottie Cave.
ReplyDeleteGood job Hurley. You just worry about what is going on in your cave & nothing else :) I have never had a cave, but I do tend to jump in the recliner if I get nervous.
ReplyDeleteGreat place to rest.
ReplyDeleteLurve this! Hurley can supervise from the comfort of his man cave!
ReplyDeleteI'm sure Hurley feels more secure in his 'safe place'.
ReplyDeleteVery smart! This is a great way to set him up for success and give him a calm place to observe. Now all the needs is a flat-screen TV and some beer and popcorn!
ReplyDeleteI want your job!
ReplyDeleteHow awesome! I ditto the above...I want your job.
ReplyDeleteHe is so damn cute, and it's nice to see you guys making progress. I 100% get what you're saying about him calming down once the rude greeting is over. That is exactly Desmond. He wants nothing more than to say hi and then play--but his way of going about it is pretty terrifying and wholly ridiculous.
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