To make absolutely certain they get a nose scritch from everyone who passes by.
Must pay the toll, hoomin.
justdontbesad
They feel comfy and safe. They know they won’t be attacked, so they find a big open space to sprawl out.
RabbittingOn
It’s a sign that they feel as safe as they can be! Well done you 🥳
Our girl Molly has such severe anxiety and nood swings that we’re getting treatment for her. The bond with her brother fell apart because of her behaviour issues, despite being spayed. Having him nearby calms her down, but her mood swings can cause a fight.
Owen is free-roam and Molly is in a large pen. Owen also spends a lot of time in the bedroom, and we let Molly out when he’s there. I work with her to lower her anxiety. Working with her every day is such a journey… But every small bit of progress is such a payoff!
She would always hide underneath the coffee table when she was out of her pen. Over time she became more relaxed and now she flops exactly in the middle of the path from the living room to the kitchen. She used to hop away when I had to walk past her, but slowly she learned to stay put.
I sat down close to her when she learned to stay put. She probably thought that I was presenting, was nervous and tried to show submission all the time. She was so insecure and licked my hands and face. I sat up more straightly and pretended to groom myself: I just want to chill, Molly, don’t get worked up over it.
After a week or so I gently offered my hand to her. Sometimes she walked away, sometimes she sat still and I could rub her nose. Nowadays she just boops my hand away if she doesn’t want to be petted, and she lowers her head if she does want rubs. What a journey!
3 Comments
To make absolutely certain they get a nose scritch from everyone who passes by.
Must pay the toll, hoomin.
They feel comfy and safe. They know they won’t be attacked, so they find a big open space to sprawl out.
It’s a sign that they feel as safe as they can be! Well done you 🥳
Our girl Molly has such severe anxiety and nood swings that we’re getting treatment for her. The bond with her brother fell apart because of her behaviour issues, despite being spayed. Having him nearby calms her down, but her mood swings can cause a fight.
Owen is free-roam and Molly is in a large pen. Owen also spends a lot of time in the bedroom, and we let Molly out when he’s there. I work with her to lower her anxiety. Working with her every day is such a journey… But every small bit of progress is such a payoff!
She would always hide underneath the coffee table when she was out of her pen.
Over time she became more relaxed and now she flops exactly in the middle of the path from the living room to the kitchen. She used to hop away when I had to walk past her, but slowly she learned to stay put.
I sat down close to her when she learned to stay put. She probably thought that I was presenting, was nervous and tried to show submission all the time. She was so insecure and licked my hands and face. I sat up more straightly and pretended to groom myself: I just want to chill, Molly, don’t get worked up over it.
After a week or so I gently offered my hand to her. Sometimes she walked away, sometimes she sat still and I could rub her nose. Nowadays she just boops my hand away if she doesn’t want to be petted, and she lowers her head if she does want rubs. What a journey!