Dog Training Update: Hiding

After nearly 7 years, it still makes me sad to see Lilly slink off to “hide” when she is upset or afraid or nervous. The other day, I found her wedged behind the toilet in the master bathroom. I joined her, and this is what I found.

I can see what Lilly likes this unlikely spot. It’s dark. It’s cool. It’s quiet. So, I sat down on the floor next to her. I didn’t say anything. I didn’t fuss on her or pet her. I just sat there in the dark and gave “hiding” a try.

While I don’t particularly like that Lilly potentially feels terrible when she hides, I can see why she finds it soothing perhaps. Maybe it helps her cope.

For me? It gave me just a few minutes to simply be. I tried not to feel, just be.

And, so we sat.

Oddly enough, Ginko came looking for us. And when he found us, he gave my cheek a quick kiss, circled around, and plopped down on the bathmat.

With a big sigh, he promptly went to sleep.

The three of us, peas in a dark pod, hung out for a while, and I have to say it helped.

Perhaps there’s more to hiding than we think. Perhaps it’s a better coping mechanism than we assume.

Made me wish I had a crate of my very own.