The Leather Chair Has New Scratches, and the Pug Is Very Sorry
The black Pug sits on the wooden floor with his ears folded back and his big dark eyes looking sorrowfully at us. Beside him, the arm of a brown leather chair has been scratched and scraped, with pale marks across the surface and a few peeled flakes on the floor. A plant, a hallway, and a pale rug sit in the background, and the light is soft and golden.
Dogs scratch and dig at furniture for several reasons, including boredom, anxiety, and the instinct to make a comfortable nest. A Pug, with his short nose and relaxed nature, may not seem likely to be a scratcher, but any dog can get creative. Providing a comfortable bed of his own, interactive toys, and enough exercise can reduce the habit. If scratching suddenly increases, mention it to your vet, since itching or anxiety can sometimes be behind it.
His expression is a perfect mixture of guilt and affection, and it is hard to be angry at a face like that. The chair has a few new marks, but it also has a story to tell. A soft cushion and a gentle talk will probably keep the peace, and the Pug will happily take both. His curly tail twitches once, as if to ask whether dinner is still on the schedule, and whether chairs are on the menu.
