Good Evening everyone. Just a quick query really. Bud, as many of you know, is extremely excitable and loving and loves nothing more than to play, eat and sleep (walk, run, jump etc are also in there.) My wife and i don't see much difference in how he behaves with each of us, when we are both together. There is however becoming a difference when he and i are together and my wife is not here. He prefers to rest, either in his crate or beside me. But doesn't tend to want to play when we are inside. Outside he will go crazy but indoors he seems to be losing some enthusiasm. Once my wife is home he picks up and is ready to play again - but here's the thing. It is me he will come to the most with his toys for some tug, or to have a wrestle (which is certainly taking its toll a bit some days.) I find myself thinking "Why couldn't you do this before mum came home?" All thoughts welcome. Thank you. Tony Additional Note:- I had wondered if he could be picking up on my health issues and choosing not to burden me too much physically. But, as much as this would be a lovely gesture and very intelligent, it wouldn't explain his outside playful manner, and how he plays with me when my wife is here.
Are you the one who is home most of the time? Does your wife come home in the evenings? (which coincides with a time when dogs 'wake up' and become more active).
I am the one who is at home with Bud when the other is away (it is rarely my wife at home with him and me away) It is not always evenings when my wife returns home. Sometimes it can be the afternoon. Sometimes this behaviour can be when my wife is upstairs asleep, but not as often as when she is out. We are both together with him quite a bit on a daily basis.
It may be the case that whatever you do when you are alone with him, inside, has become a cue for 'settle'. My dog has learned that if my laptop is open, and I have my glasses on, it's settle down time. Mind, the sound of my laptop closing has him up like he's had an electric shock... He is though, much more playful when my OH is around, but that's just because that happens to be when it's playtime...
That is a thought Julie. Thank you. I find though that most times, no matter how lively i suddenly become, he would much prefer to settle down. He will come over to me and get some attention, settle at my feet, and sometimes return to his crate. Activity seems lost on him until we go outside, or my wife shows her face. Then he too is showing signs of that electric shock you mention.
Dogs do sleep a lot, so mayb he does his sleeping when alone with you, but when you are both home, it is a cue to play?
Thanks Stacia. Bud certainly does love his sleep, and deserves it because when he is active he gets quite a work out. Maybe there is no definitive answer as all dogs are different. The good thing is, he is healthy and happy.
This sounds like the perfect set up to me . Nice quiet calm dog for you all day and then a loony when your wife is home! I agree with Julie that they seem to learn your different 'cues'. My Ella has learnt that when I sit down on the couch between 8-9pm it means cuddle time and she promptly hops up and snuggles in, regardless of what she was doing beforehand. This has to be my favourite time of the day ☺
I suppose it is quite ideal Emily. I just find it confusing that he can be so lively outside, and then again inside with me once my wife is around, but with just the two of us indoors not much will get him playing. He does tire out quickly and maybe his activity before my wife goes out, or leaves the room for long periods, is enough to cause him to want to just rest. Cuddle times, i agree, have to be some of the best moments a dog owner will experience. When Bud was younger we both fell asleep together. Unfortunately he awoke very quickly when my wife tried to get a photo.
Perhaps Bud associates having both of you at home with more things happening, so more reason to be awake and ready to play. Wispa and Tuppence find it much more difficult to settle down when other members of the family are here, even when they've had some play time or a good walk. They show little sign then of their normal routine of eat, walk, sleep, play, more sleeping... more eating... more sleeping! Tuppy can be particularly 'needy' when she thinks people are here to entertain her (and be entertained by her antics!), yet she can also spend much of a normal day just sleeping (and is currently snoring on my feet!). I think, as Julie says, they're quick to pick up the 'settle' cues.
Thank you very much. These 'settle' cues appear to be a common theme, and have taught me something new. It is reassuring to know there is nothing to worry about. I had wondered now and again if maybe Bud liked to impress and if my wife is also here he has more of an audience. With Tuppy enjoying entertaining the family i am even more inclined to believe Bud has a similar manner.And also like Tuppy, Bud is currently in the land of nod, alongside the sofa. Thanks everyone who has shared their thoughts. Really appreciated.
Charlie absolutely takes his cues from what is happening around him - it's a very useful thing to use, if you always ignore the dog when you do X, the dog will go to sleep. If you always play with the dog when you do Y, the dog will play. If you want him to play without your wife, just think of what distinguishes the periods for him and keep trying to get him to play when you want him to play. Just be really clear about the difference between quiet time and play time - I bet he'll learn it.
