I left my puppydog with my mother for a week and now she is upset with me.

by Lucas
(DK)

I went on a vacation to Spain (it was fun and warm) and left my puppy at my mother's house. My dog is 1½ year old. I came home and drove over to my mom to get my puppy. When I said hi and all that, I went to see my puppy. She was in the living room(usually she charges at me when I come home from work) and seemed to not notice me.

I called her name, and she starked snarling at me and then she barked at me. Shaking and such.
I don't know what to do. She is the only reason I can be in my house. I am scared of being alone, and she's all I have. But I think she doesn't care about me. My mom said she just did as I told her to. I wrote a note telling her when to feed her, when to walk her, etc.

So I have no idea what to do. Please help me. I am sad and I feel like I have let her down.

Comments for I left my puppydog with my mother for a week and now she is upset with me.

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Sep 28, 2012
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Puppy
by: Vicky & Jonah (Az)

Remember if she whins & u reach down & say oh u poor thing but pet her u r telling her that it is ok to whin. So she starts to whin more because she gets a pet. So when she whins ignore her. If she does not get attention the whinning goes away.

Its kind of like when they start to shake because of a storm u say its ok & u pet them. Its telling them its ok to shake. Before a storm just wipe them down w/a fabric soft. sheet so the elec. doesn't affect their fur that will help & do not fuss & they then learn to ignore the storm.

When she pulls stop call her back to ur side & preceed with ur walk. Every pull stop. It will soon end. Thats great that she getting back to normal. The next vacation u go on will be easier for her she now knows u will be back.

Sep 28, 2012
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Vick and Jonah, thank you...
by: Lucas

Thanks. I will do that. She is eating a little now and then. But she is whining most of the time and she is pulling the leach when I walk with her and she even sit down if she doesn't want to go. Something I have never experienced before.
However, I think it's getting better now. Thank you, and thank you all.

Sep 27, 2012
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Puppies
by: Vicky & Jonah (Az)

U r giving ur pup power that she does not have. Sit down on the floor watch some tv with the treat in front of u & let ur pup get it. Don't reach out just lay another down. Share some popcorn with her no butter light salt.

She also will eat when hungey. Put a LITTLE boiled chicken w/a dash of garlic in the water & then put on top of her food.

If her sleeping in the bed is what u would like then pick her up gently lay her besides u & scratch behind her ear or rub her belly. If the bed is high off the ground move an ottoman at the foot so she can easily jump up & down. Give her her bedtime cookie on the bed after she comes in at night from her last pee.

Dogs r social animals they follow ur lead if her afraid to reach out to her she will shy back. Remember dogs live on luv. Luv & kindness trumps u going on vacation for a couple weeks. U went on vacation. U did not leave her by the side of the road. She stayed with mom.

That just is a part of life that is life. Dogs learn to adjust to life so u need to adjust to what u did is normal life so get back to it. Get back to taking ur dog for her walks & to the dog park. Playing ball or frizbee etc.

The next time u pack ur bags don't make a big deal to say good bye, give her a kiss & go. Then don't forget her new toy when u come back. I cannot stress this enough. Dogs r not vengeful animals u r her world so get back into it & start having fun again playing games with ur puppy.

Trust yourself that U will do fine. Now go have some fun with ur pup.

Sep 27, 2012
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Thanks for your answers...
by: Lucas

Hey, I took my puppydog home with me. I think I shouldn't have forced her to come home with me, because she won't eat or play with her toys anymore. She sniffed to the toys once then she snorted and turned her back to it.
I try to pat her, approaching her slowly but she jumps back and shrieks at me.
Even at night she won't come into my room. She just sleeps in the entrance in front of the door.
She won't eat her food, not even her favorite snacks. I bought those Plus Protein Chicken flavored goodies which she just loves, I won't even look at it.

And the worst thing is that the sadness that it makes me feel is greater than the fear that I have when I am all alone.

I must look like a big moron and the world's biggest failiure and the worst owner, ever.
And I really feel like it.

Sep 25, 2012
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Just a thought
by: Laurette

You know what you described may not have been snarling at all :) If your puppy was barking and showing her teeth she may have been smiling. Many years ago - when I had my first Coton he would actually get so excited to see me he would show his teeth and bark and carry on when I would return home. The vet told me that he was actually imitating the smile he observed when I would come home and actually was imitating me - she may have gotten so excited to see you that she did the same thing!

Sep 24, 2012
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Resilient
by: Vicky & Jonah (Az)

Dogs r not vengeful. Don't be overly sorry u left ur pup it is a fact in life that sometimes in life she may have to be boarded or stay with friends. Get back to normal in ur scheldule & behavior.

U have probably coddled her for a couple days now to show how much she was missed & that is certainly the way to do it. Now it is time for her to be a dog again & no growling at her master. A sharp verbal AH AH, NO or Bad Girl if she tries it again.

If only they really did understand how much they were missed they would use that to their advantage. LOL

Sep 24, 2012
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unconditional love
by: Anonymous

Dogs are more forgiving than we are and love us despite our imperfections (thank goodness). She may be picking up on some of your anxiety. Try not to worry about what happened while you were gone, and just give lots of love and attention to her now and she should be fine.

Sep 24, 2012
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upset puppy
by: sherrycottoncandie

How upsetting this can be but do not be so sad. Do you have a special toy, game or routine that the two of you shared??

She could just be pouting as a way of letting you know she missed you. Try going about your normal routine with her as you did before leaving her, hope things will be back to normal really soon.

They are such loving sensitive little dogs, a few minutes of her normal playtime and special treats from you will work wonders.
Does she enjoy going on walks or riding in the car?? Anything that was fun for her before would help.

Good luck and please let us know how she is doing.

Sep 24, 2012
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It will be OK
by: DeMarie Rossi

Awww its ok honey, she will warm back up to you - maybe she was sleeping when you came in and she didn't realize it was you. I am sure after a day back in her own home with you she will stop pouting and be back to her old loving self.

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