I really enjoy my space. In fact, I like it so much, I add to it every chance I get. And that means every chance I get. Here, there, wherever I may roam, I make sure this is mine and that is mine, just to make sure I’ve always got some space left over. You know, just in case I need it.
As a dog, you should enjoy your space. It’s the claiming part that always seems to be the challenge though, especially when your pal is trying to stop you from doing such things. It’s like they don’t understand that you’re doing it for “us” not just me. What’s mine is mine and what’s you’re is mine or at least it’s soon to be.
First things I usually smell for is if the spot is claimed already. If it is, I claim it anyway. There’s really no reason not to, and they can always claim it again if they really want it back. And when it comes to disputing over claimed areas, just keep claiming it until the other one gives up. Persistence pays in the end.
Of course the house is your primary spot of all the claiming of the things, but I like to find locations beyond the yard. Like when we go for walks around the block, perfect time to pick out spots to claim. A tree? A bush, even the neighbor’s yard can all belong to you, but here’s the hard part: your pal is always out to stop you. This is mine now? Nope, you can’t have it says your pal. And so you’ve got to be clever about claiming things, and it’s for their good too, they just don’t know it yet.
My method of claiming things and my friend’s method are very different too. I prefer to sit on things and they’re mine. I sit on the sofa, it’s mine, I sit on the floor, it belongs to me. It has to, but when I’m done, anyone can claim it afterwards.
However, my pal is always claiming things they aren’t even using. I get on the bed, nope, gotta get off because it’s they’re bed. They’re not even napping right now and it’s still claimed. The bed, sofa, and other spots I really really like are usually unoccupied, so I claim them and my pal scoots on in and scoots me out of the way.
In fact, now that I’m thinking about it, my pal claims a lot more stuff than I do. I just wish she would share more often, especially the secret location of those tasty treats. If I could only find it, I’d claim that spot and it’d be mine, mine, all mine!
But not so fast, the more you claim, the more you have to try to keep. And that’s a little too much for a pup like me. So I claim what I keep, and my pal is possibly the best thing I ever claimed. And I’m keeping her forever… so paws off!
