Ok, *please* hear me out this is very embarrassing and I don't mean to cause any discomfort, but I am hoping I am not the only person with this issue. So I have a lovely male dog "Cheeto" who I got during covid, he is also my first dog ever. He's a fixed Chiweenie/smallbreed mix rescue, 5 years old. We're a little co-dependant/clingy, and this is largely because not only was he adopted during covid but also had ringworm which is highly contagious and prevented his socializing with other dogs during the key phase of puppyhood. I'm working on his social anxiety and he has made some very big steps and I'm proud of him. He is overall a very good boy.
That's the backstory. The current issue I'm frustrated by just isn't in any training books that I've seen. The harsh reality is I live with him in a studio apartment. so he is forever in the same room as me and also my bed. There is a small connected kitchen area and a laundry/closet/bathroom which does have a closing door but is very small. There is no yard. For %90 of the time this causes no problems.
But, here's the thing. I'm currently single (F42) and I feel extremely weird having to attending to my "adult needs" in the same room as my dog (I wish it were otherwise, but I feel like I don't have a choice in the studio setup.) Those of you with children probably understand how a child interrupting you kills the spark pretty quickly. and those who have pets know that a curious nose sniffing around the bed or whines for attention during your "personal" time are not conducive to the "mood." In addition, I don't know how long I'll be living here, and if I don't address the issue now I'm afraid it will just be worse if I ever do have a partner with me in the bed.
So, sorry for the overshare, but how have others dealt with this? Especially those in a small spaces? How do you balance your dogs comfort it with your "adult activies?"
FYI, I do let him sleep in my bed with me. I don't know if that could be part of the issue, and if I ever have a live in partner we would probably need to change that arrangement (I'm kind of just praying I'm in a bigger place by the time that happens).
Update: Thank you everybody for the feedback. I'll be trying some different strategies with Cheeto but these ideas really helped! and funny to hear your stories about your experiences too. 🙂
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