Is Bo mad at me?

[Puppy Madness]

I'm afraid Bo is upset with me. Here's what happened..

This morning before I went to work, I let Bo outside to potty. Well, when I called him to come back in, he decided to run. So I stepped outside and called him again but he ran until I was literally chasing him around the backyard. Well I have a bad ankle so I said forget it and stepped on the porch to wait. By this time I'm almost late for work. Well Bo eventually ran on the porch so I started to block him in with the patio furniture. He's so smart that he managed to almost crawl underneath our porch railing. It's a very tight space and I was surprised that he almost got under it! Well I grabbed him from behind to keep him from going all the way underneath and this made him yelp. I felt so bad about it but I knew if I let him go, he would run again and start another chase. It was a struggle I admit and I ended up scraping my knee and cutting my hand a little. So, out of frustration I tugged his collar and brought him in the house and shoved him in his crate...I was really angry. I ended up late for work. All day at work I thought about Bo and how awful I behaved toward him. I feel so bad right now and to make it even worse, he won't come to me when I call him and he refuses to give me kisses on my hand like he normally does. As soon as I got home from work, I told him how sorry I was and that I would never lose my temper like that with him again. And just a little while ago I cuddled him and repeatedly told him I was sorry. But...he still won't come to me. How long will this last? Will he always remember this incident? I hope he doesn't attack me later in life. I'm really worried.

[Cathy w/Shiloh~Cody]

You are beating yourself up over being in a rush to get to work and then having your dog ignoring you,

and you just were trying to protect him from the underneath of porch.

He will be okay and so will you. No worries.  It sounds like he is pouting-he wanted to play and stay

outside and not go in his crate..

When you wake up tomorrow it will be a new day-dogs usually live in the here and now.

Next time-take a deep breath and do not chase-you will never win that battle.Worse

case scenario-you or him get hurt as is what happened, best scenario he thinks its a game and will

keep playing it. Chasing is a no win situation. Maybe try to get him to come back in for a treat? Hold

it where he can see it and keep holding it until he follows you back in?

[Jeanne, Tura and Dolly]

You may have to take him out on a leash in the morning for awhile. He can sense your anxiety when you are late. Some evening or weekend start to play come and treat games. You can go in a different room, call his name and when he comes give him a treat. Very excited and lots of praise. If you have 2 or 3 people to play who are hiding all over the house or yard it is even better.

[Amber (with Maggie)]

The easiest way to control a dog is with well applied (not over applied) treats and a lot of affection. Unfortunately, if you keep up the chasing and getting really mad, your relationship with your dog is going to get worse. You should probably go to a dog trainer (to give YOU the tools) to deal with your puppy in a positive way, learn not to put yourself in stressful situations where you will get mad at your puppy for being a puppy.

 

I will tell you what I learned when training horses, and the same is true with dogs...there are no bad horses, only bad riders. Learn your weaknesses and how to deal with them in a positive way. There are *no* excuses for beating or abusing your animal.

[Sonja]

My puppy is two and a half and I stayed with this group to keep learning and pass on what might help others.  One uptight incident doesn't make the relationship.  If the morning upset is a regular thing,  you might look for help from a trainer, but it seems to me this group will have lots of training ideas for you.   I find my morning routine had to change with a puppy.  I woke up earlier, and took Maizy on a short 15-20 minute little walk on a leash for morning potty.  It was a relaxing, bonding time together, and I still do it even though she can go in the yard and comes back.  Then the urgency of the morning is much calmer, and I'm calmer, and Maizy feels the reward of time with me.  These dogs do love to play chase, and I agree with Jeanne that you will never win, but it sure is frustrating.

[Mimi Linna, Lilly and Lolly]

hugs, he will get over it. mornings are rough for working mamas- fur babies or human kids..my 2 cents. have your stuff for the morning set out the night before. wake up a half an hour early. put Bo on a long leash to go out and do his business. reward with a treat when he comes to you. We do not have a yard. (and I am very jealous of those that do) Lilly has been on a retracable leash since 10 wks when she decided that  the outside world was very cool. Each time she goes potty, I ssy good girl, lets go get a treat and bring her in,, there is some tugging gently on the leash on my part from time to time when sticks/ bugs/ you name it grab her attention. She comes in, sits/ I take off the leash and she gets a treat.  hope this helps.

[Tina, Clover, Plus 5 More]

Daniece, you are being to hard on yourself.  I can not speak for others but I have lost by cool before too.  One thing I would do is use a long training leash.  This will allow you to grab a hold of the leash and make Bo respond to the "Come" command.  Otherwise the "Come" command should not be used.  Because Bo will think he only needs to do it when he wants to.  The training leash or check cord comes in different lengths.  Some are nylon, woven or rope.  I have tried several and the one I use the most is a 25' check cord by Remington.  It is light weight and dries fast if it gets wet.  Here is a link so you can see what I'm talking about.  Petco does carry them if you decide to try it. 

http://www.amazon.com/Remington-Nylon-Check-Training-Orange/dp/B000...

Bo loves you and will stop sulking soon.  Try not to be so hard on yourself.

[Carol Brand]

Do not feel bad.  Bo was being a total brat.  He is at fault and frankly the collar pop and crate time were totally deserved.  You have a bigger problem brewing though.    He is currently not coming to you, not because he is mad at you but because he is continuing to test his limits.  You have allowed him to learn that "coming" is optional.  This is very dangerous and can lead to life threatening situations in the future.

 

About the "COME" command.  Some people like to use an unusual word that can not be mistaken for anything else  since "come" can sometimes be over used.  I have heard folks use the word FRONT or AQUI.  Whatever word you use, be consistent.

 

Training a good recall.... I would keep BO on a long line both in the house and out.  If you can't enforce the command it becomes useless.  You will end up with a dog that either blows you off or that only comes when you have a treat.  I would use a 20 yard line outside and 15 ft lead inside. Before you ever call him, pick up the end of the long line.  Give the recall command in a happy, confident voice.  BO COME!  If he does not immediately turn and start coming in at a little trot, pick up the end of the line and give it a little tug or pop.  It can be sharp.  This is a correction.  Praise him as he is coming in.  Moving backwards away from him will encourage him to come in faster.  

 

When he is right in front of you (I teach my dogs to "touch" my bellybutton with their noses) give him a treat.  I like to deliver it out of my mouth so that the dog learns to come in close and look up at my face.  I've found that if I take it out of my pocket, they will over time start swinging to one side or the other.

 

Eventually, he will figure out which side his bread is buttered on.  If he comes right away, he gets PRAISE AND TREAT.  If he doesn't come, he gets a correction.  Either way, he is going to come!   Note.... the biggest mistake that people make is taking a dog off of a long line too soon.  Every time you give a command that the dog can blow off for whatever reason, you are teaching him that your directions are optional. 

[Jaime and Barley Barker]

I think Bo will forget about it, so don't worry. You probably surprised him more than hurt him. One time I was sitting on the couch. I can't remember exactly what happened, but Barley accidentally hurt me by either taking a flying leap on me or giving me a puppy nip. I didn't mean to, but as a reaction, I pushed him away from me. He fell off the couch, gave me a very sad long look, and started crying. I felt so bad. It was an accident. Barley quickly forgave me. Dogs are smart, but they don't hold grudges. (I think cats do, though.)

 

I used to have a Sheltie, Max. I didn't realize he was sitting in front of me while I was sitting on the couch, reading a book. I crossed my legs really quickly and suddenly, and accidentally kicked him in the mouth. I had no idea he was there as I was so absorbed in the book until I made contact. Well, I kicked him so hard that his mouth was bleeding and he ran to his crate. He wouldn't come out for the rest of the afternoon. I cried and felt horrible. Later that evening, he came out and licked me. He had forgiven me.

 

These two incidents nearly broke my heart; however, they were accidents and my dogs new this. I've learned to be more aware of my surroundings, even if I'm just sitting on the couch. Please don't beat yourself up. I promise that Bo will forgive and forget. Maybe you've just learned that you need to develop a less stressful morning routine until Bo is more mature.