Jealous!

[Bozhana]

I have nearly perfect pets. :D At least perfect for me. I have a Maltese (Baby Bear age 5?) and a Sheltee mix (Nicki age 7).

Baby Bear is very jealous of anything I do with Nicki. I understand Bear thinks he's the 2nd in command, with my being the pack leader. So I am careful not to upset that balance. Yet at the same time I want to have Nicki join in when we play fetch. I want to hug nicki without Bear wedging himself in between us.

Example: I'll throw a toy- Nicki loves fetch and gladly bounds after the toy. Bear doesn't care to "fetch" So he sits nearby and waits for Nicki to bring the toy closer, as she nears, he gets up and takes the toy from her with a growless nip at her face and either brings the toy back to me, or simply stands over toy not letting Nicki pick it up. Nicki comes to me as if to say... "well I tried to bring it back"

Bear will sleep in his bed and be content, until Nicki comes up to rest by me on the sofa. Then Bear suddenly must sit as close to me as he can get.

Advice?? [/b]