The couch is a losing battle

David and I made a lot of decisions before Zeldie arrived in our household. We had a plan and we were confident and we were sticking to it. Part of that plan was a dog-free couch. We started losing ground when she finally got big enough to jump up onto the couch. David and I were so stunned we both just stood there in shock. Our momentary hesitation before we pulled her off might as well have been permission as far as Zeldie was concerned.

Then, one day, I was trying to take a nap on the couch and she jumped up there with me and cuddled right into the crook of my arm. She just settled herself right in. I didn't even resist or restrain her. David did, however, and he started to call me a softie. I didn't mind being a softie. Then Zeldie got smart, she started to jump up on the couch when we were sitting down to dinner. Even David didn't want to get up from dinner to pull her off the couch. Needless to say, the couch is a losing battle.

But, while perhaps we have been more lenient than we planned on this, she is coming along in other ways. Tonight, she was picked to model a skill at puppy training class. David and I were very proud. She has never been picked before and we never thought she would get picked. Terriers kind of do their own thing. They are not people pleasers like the labs and golden doodles so they can be somewhat unpredictable. Not good material for demonstrations. She also was the only puppy to charge towards her handler on the recall. David said the rest of the puppies kind of hopped or walked. But she came running in her flappy way that gives her name the meaning of happiness.

So the couch may be a losing battle, but I suppose, that may be one I am willing to let her win.