Why?

[monkseaton]

I have a jack russell bitch which I rescued from the local cat and dog shelter. She had to be spayed before we were allowed to take her home. We picked her up from the vets and wrapped her in a blanket. She always has the blanket with her ,she chews it pulls the threads etc then falls asleep with it in her mouth, why ? I can't even get it off her to wash it although if I put it into the washer it will probably just fall to bits !

[garner]

Ah bless her...It will take time she has it as a comfort thing, she has come from rescue and you don"t know what the little lady has been through.I"m sure when she is settled and feels more content it will not be a major thing in her life.Good of you to go to a rescue centre for her,give the little lady a cuddle from me .g.

[wolf63]

That is really sweet.

No idea what to do though.

If it makes her feel secure and causes no harm just leave her. Does she take it on walkies?

[fredpuli47]

Not heard of one doing this with a blanket from the vet ! Most dogs don't want anything that reminds them of there :). We give a new owner something from here which has a familiar smell, such as a bit of cloth or blanket that the pup has slept on.The familar smell is very comforting and they won't be separated from it, choosing to sleep on and lie with it.. Your little bitch is finding the same.

She'll gradually grow away from this once she has settled and found her own personal bedding and has come to associate your smell, and home 'smell' , and you yourself, with happiness.

Wouldn't bother to separate her from it: quite the reverse.It's doing no harm and she's happy.(I wouldn't wash it either, unless absolutely essential. Don't want to remove that 'lovely' scent !)