Dognabit! I can’t take it anymore!!! I’m sorry, that outburst was very unbecoming of a Golden. But once again Asa ruined a perfectly good nap by insisting on laying on my head. Recently though my good friend, Shawn, reminded me that Asa is only doing it because he loves me and wants to be with me. Perhaps she is correct. I’m awesome. Why wouldn’t Asa want to be as close to me as possible? Perhaps it is me who has failed Asa by not teaching him the etiquette of personal space. So up to the attic I go to once again read through Mom’s old college text books to learn how I can teach Asa.
According to a dusty Child Psychology book: “Most young children want to touch everything and everyone as they learn about the world around them. They lick, poke, slap, and hug things and people with little concern about what those objects are or who they belong to. Very young children are generally used to being physically close to family members.” Yep, that certainly applies to puppies as well as children! But how to change this behavior?
Another nap interrupted by Asa.
According to this book I need to establish clear boundaries, “baby gates, fencing a play area or building a furniture boundary using kitchen chairs can all provide a clear definition of a child’s play space.” Ok, that makes sense. We already have baby gates. Now if only I had thumbs to lock Asa out! I tried the kitchen chair approach already, but he just joins me under the table.
Chuck Billy can’t even find peace and quiet under the kitchen table.
Skimming further, the book suggests “it is important to define personal spaces for each family member. Everyone needs a space that is just theirs.” Ok, I’ve done that too. I have my crate, and he has his. But yet Asa more often than not chooses my crate to take his nap in and not his own.
Not even Chuck Billy’s crate is off limits to Asa.
Oh this is funny, “Every adult can teach children about boundaries and personal space by modeling the behavior they’d like to see.” What does this book think I’ve been doing? I’ve never sat on Asa’s head! This is pointless. I’m going to use Reverse Child Psychology instead! I’m going to invade Asa’s personal space and see how he likes it! Surprisingly, he at least makes a good pillow…
Chuck Billy decided if you can’t beat ’em, join ’em, and invades Asa’s space.
