Dogs on furniture?

There are some aspects of life with a Golden which are a little more challenging than others. For example, I don't allow my dogs on the furniture. 

No, really, I don't ...

However, (big 'however'!) when Polly was a puppy, she used to hop up onto a footstool in this bay window to be groomed and she would sit there patiently like a good girl, content to watch the world pass by the window while I brushed her.

Cut to almost six years later: the footstool has long since been replaced by a rather expensive wing chair, but her ladyship sees no difference, in fact, she LOVES 'her' new chair. According to Polly, this fabulous chair is the perfect height for watching the world go by and Mum has also kindly provided a soft woollen blanket, comforting when she feels snoozy.  The chair is also absolutely ideal for standing tall, with paws perched on the arm, to bark ferociously at the postman. No matter how many times I insist Madam remove herself from the chair, she always returns, as if attached by a piece of elastic. 

Polly and I have now reached the kind of agreement my old obedience training instructor would have groaned loudly at whilst rolling his ex-police dog handler eyes and yes, I completely accept that I have inadvertently trained Polly to use this chair by grooming her in that space as a pup. We agree now, that as long as she sits quietly, she can settle in the chair, but standing barks are a no-go and she will be removed ... needless to say, we don't necessarily always agree on the finer detail of what constitutes a removeable offence, but she knows when Mum says 'off NOW!', it's definitely time to head for the floor rug instead.

And before you say anything, yes I know, I know!  All I can say in my defence is that I learned from my early mistake with Miss Polly and grooming procedures have been adapted so that her little sis Betty is more than happy to settle on the living room rug for naps, rather than in a chair!

So, for anyone considering adopting a Golden Retriever, a word to the wise, they have long memories, are independent thinkers and have a sense of humour ... you'd best prepare yourself for a life of compromise and give careful thought to the early lessons you teach them, maybe without even realising!

:-)