Strange behaviour with certain bed

[Flowerofthefen]

We bought our old black lab a lovely cosy comfy bed. Unfortunately she inly had it a few weeks before we lost her. We lifted her into the truck in it as she lost the ability to move. She was pts in the bed then buried when we got her home . The bed was washed and has been washed several times. Our fox red took it over. When I got my parsons last November she chewed a small whole in it so we removed it. She has stopped chewing now. She gets in the bed and socks one corner. She goes all gooey eyed and just lies right in the corner sucking it??? She doesn't do it with any other bed. I've never seen anything like it. Any ideas why she would do this?

 

[SilverLinings]

Is it a different texture/material to the other beds? That, or a different type of stuffing, may mean that it tastes or feels nicer to her when she sucks it.

If she didn't know the deceased dog, plus the bed has been washed several times, I think that it is unlikely that your parsons is behaving like this because of the bed's previous owner. She can probably still smell dog on it, but I expect other things in your house also smell like your late Lab.*

*I'm not saying your house smells like dog, just that dogs have an exceptionally strong sense of smell

 

[Flowerofthefen]

SL yes it is different material. Its a very ' posh' cosy bed. I'm sure your right about it not being linked to the old dog but it's just very strange. My house probably does smell of dog but I can't smell it!!

 

[SilverLinings]

SL yes it is different material. Its a very ' posh' cosy bed. I'm sure your right about it not being linked to the old dog but it's just very strange. My house probably does smell of dog but I can't smell it!!

When my last dog dies a couple of years ago she was PTS at the vets. She was exceptionally close to my mother's (younger) dog, who didn't see her die. I took my dog's bed back to my house, washed it thoroughly and left it out for when my mother's dog comes to visit. I had moved house at the same time and neither dog had spent more than a few hours in the new house.

A couple of months later my mother's dog came to stay, as soon as came through the door she perked up (she had been very depressed since the death) and raced around my house sniffing and apparently looking for her friend. It was heart breaking, but despite my apparently thorough washing and cleaning the bed and house must have still smelt enough like my dog. I couldn't smell anything.

She did settle and is quite happy to sleep in the bed when she comes to stay. I expect she can still occasionally smell the other dog, but now knows she isn't here.

As your terrier didn't know the lab, and she has another dog for company, I think it is unlikely she is obsessed with the bed because it smells like an unknown dog. It must just be a very tasty bed

 

[I'm Dun]

Is it a different texture/material to the other beds? That, or a different type of stuffing, may mean that it tastes or feels nicer to her when she sucks it.

If she didn't know the deceased dog, plus the bed has been washed several times, I think that it is unlikely that your parsons is behaving like this because of the bed's previous owner. She can probably still smell dog on it, but I expect other things in your house also smell like your late Lab.*

*I'm not saying your house smells like dog, just that dogs have an exceptionally strong sense of smell

One of mine goes nuts and very gently and careful nibbles on any sort of fleece throw that has longer bits like hair. He is so happy doing it. I think he just likes the texture and he was weaned a little bit earlier than I'd have liked so dunno if thats related. One of his many nicknames is nibbler. He never does any damage and is so dainty and cute with it we just leave him be.

 

[Parrotperson]

We bought our old black lab a lovely cosy comfy bed. Unfortunately she inly had it a few weeks before we lost her. We lifted her into the truck in it as she lost the ability to move. She was pts in the bed then buried when we got her home . The bed was washed and has been washed several times. Our fox red took it over. When I got my parsons last November she chewed a small whole in it so we removed it. She has stopped chewing now. She gets in the bed and socks one corner. She goes all gooey eyed and just lies right in the corner sucking it??? She doesn't do it with any other bed. I've never seen anything like it. Any ideas why she would do this?

My jrt sucks his soft toys. I think it’s simply a call back to puppyhood.