WillowsMom
Well-known member
Hi All!
I'm hoping someone might have some words of advice. We have a young baby - 5 months old, and a 2 year old cavalier. Lately Willow has been displaying signs of being jealous/sad about the baby. We know that she misses being our center of attention. We try to include her as much as we can, but she actually resists some of our efforts. For example, she used to be the ultimate lap dog - she liked nothing else better than to curl up with us in front of a movie on the sofa. Now, she'll often come with us for a few minutes, but then leave and go lie on the floor, looking incredibly sad as only cavaliers can do. In the last little while, she's also taken to peeing on the floor upstairs (where the baby's room is) - we know it's a cry for attention, but we don't know what to do, especially since when we try to give her attention, she often turns away.
We know if we can get through the next year or so, she's going to have the best buddy possible in our son. I have to add, she's NEVER shown any signs of aggression towards the baby - she loves to lick his toes, and gets mad with us when we won't let her lick him all over. For his part, he just adores Willow - he gets the biggest smiles and giggles whenever she comes around. I'm convinced his first words will be "doggy" or "Willow".
Any advice anyone has on how to help her deal with the adjustment to being a fur sister instead of the baby in the family would be appreciated. We consider her one of the family, and it's just devastating us to see her unhappy.
Thanks!
Krista
I'm hoping someone might have some words of advice. We have a young baby - 5 months old, and a 2 year old cavalier. Lately Willow has been displaying signs of being jealous/sad about the baby. We know that she misses being our center of attention. We try to include her as much as we can, but she actually resists some of our efforts. For example, she used to be the ultimate lap dog - she liked nothing else better than to curl up with us in front of a movie on the sofa. Now, she'll often come with us for a few minutes, but then leave and go lie on the floor, looking incredibly sad as only cavaliers can do. In the last little while, she's also taken to peeing on the floor upstairs (where the baby's room is) - we know it's a cry for attention, but we don't know what to do, especially since when we try to give her attention, she often turns away.
We know if we can get through the next year or so, she's going to have the best buddy possible in our son. I have to add, she's NEVER shown any signs of aggression towards the baby - she loves to lick his toes, and gets mad with us when we won't let her lick him all over. For his part, he just adores Willow - he gets the biggest smiles and giggles whenever she comes around. I'm convinced his first words will be "doggy" or "Willow".
Any advice anyone has on how to help her deal with the adjustment to being a fur sister instead of the baby in the family would be appreciated. We consider her one of the family, and it's just devastating us to see her unhappy.
Thanks!
Krista