She has always been a hermit, since we brought her home at 12 weeks old. It was nowhere near as bad as it is now, and obviously it's my fault for allowing the behavior to progress. But it's not an acceptable behavior, and it needs to stop. It doesn't seem to be that room in particular. It seems to be whatever room she sleeps in at night. That has changed a couple of times over the years, but wherever she sleeps at night is where she wants to be all the time. Back when we kept her crated at night, she would stay in her crate much of the time.
There are a number of reasons, like I said. The major one being that the behavior is unacceptable. The next one being that she has started pulling our clothes out of the hamper and putting them in her bed. This wouldn't be a big deal since they're already dirty, except when they aren't "just right" she will start digging in them and tearing them up like she does with her blankets. Another is that we recently discovered the rabbit has been using under the dresser as her own personal bathroom. The gate keeps her out as long as no one - human or animal - is in there. If someone is in there, she wants in and she'll start tearing up the carpet. Just a bunch of things that add up to the easiest solution being keeping the dog out. And the plan was working out great when we were keeping the door closed. Audi has beds in the living room and computer room, and when she wasn't able to get into the bedroom, she would stay with us in whichever room we were in.
I don't know where she came from before we got her, but if I had to guess, I would say it was not a happy place. She could just be an overly sensitive dog, but I don't think that's what it is. Her previous situation may be where her hidey behavior came from, but we could see that within two days of bringing her home, so we've always been extra kind and gentle with her. If we are interacting with her directly, she is happy to spend time with us and play or just hang out or whatever. But if you're not interacting with her, she's out. Just as an example, if we're hanging out on the couch together, I have to be touching her. If I'm not, she will put her head in my lap. If I don't touch/pet it, she will leave. Unfortunately, I can't be petting her or playing with her or talking to her 100% of the time.
It's sort of become a vicious cycle because when she doesn't come out of the bedroom, I don't often seek her out (again, my fault) and then because I'm not seeking her out/giving her all of my attention, she doesn't come out on her own. Since we have put the gate up, we have been trying to give her extra attention and show her that we are happy to have her with us, but as soon as we stop paying attention, she goes right back and jumps the gate.
I'm also not convinced it's a lack of understanding. When we first put it up, she stayed out, but now that she's realizing it's a permanent thing, I think she's just saying "screw you guys; that's my room." I don't know.
I am more than willing to work with her in any way that I can. I just don't know how to make her want to be around us without needing our attention.
There are a number of reasons, like I said. The major one being that the behavior is unacceptable. The next one being that she has started pulling our clothes out of the hamper and putting them in her bed. This wouldn't be a big deal since they're already dirty, except when they aren't "just right" she will start digging in them and tearing them up like she does with her blankets. Another is that we recently discovered the rabbit has been using under the dresser as her own personal bathroom. The gate keeps her out as long as no one - human or animal - is in there. If someone is in there, she wants in and she'll start tearing up the carpet. Just a bunch of things that add up to the easiest solution being keeping the dog out. And the plan was working out great when we were keeping the door closed. Audi has beds in the living room and computer room, and when she wasn't able to get into the bedroom, she would stay with us in whichever room we were in.
I don't know where she came from before we got her, but if I had to guess, I would say it was not a happy place. She could just be an overly sensitive dog, but I don't think that's what it is. Her previous situation may be where her hidey behavior came from, but we could see that within two days of bringing her home, so we've always been extra kind and gentle with her. If we are interacting with her directly, she is happy to spend time with us and play or just hang out or whatever. But if you're not interacting with her, she's out. Just as an example, if we're hanging out on the couch together, I have to be touching her. If I'm not, she will put her head in my lap. If I don't touch/pet it, she will leave. Unfortunately, I can't be petting her or playing with her or talking to her 100% of the time.
It's sort of become a vicious cycle because when she doesn't come out of the bedroom, I don't often seek her out (again, my fault) and then because I'm not seeking her out/giving her all of my attention, she doesn't come out on her own. Since we have put the gate up, we have been trying to give her extra attention and show her that we are happy to have her with us, but as soon as we stop paying attention, she goes right back and jumps the gate.
I'm also not convinced it's a lack of understanding. When we first put it up, she stayed out, but now that she's realizing it's a permanent thing, I think she's just saying "screw you guys; that's my room." I don't know.
I am more than willing to work with her in any way that I can. I just don't know how to make her want to be around us without needing our attention.
Reply
Leave a comment