Mad puppy!

[Breanne, Dave & Maizy!]

Yesterday night I put on my puppy's all natural flea and tick preventative.  This is the 4th month she has been on it. It is all natural and smells like spices. It has never bothered her before. Yesterday she got so upset with me when I put it on. She was sniffing like crazy and immediately went outside to poop. Came inside and literally would not look at me or my boyfriend. She went in her crate and slept all night. This morning she woke up and went outside, did her business and back inside. She has refused to eat and is still so mad at us! I gave her tasty treat too... Still hates us! :( Help! What should I do? When will she forgive us? 

[Donna K & Quincy]

I have no idea, but that little lady knows how to hold a grudge. :>) I'm sure she'll come around sooner rather than later.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Ned can get sulky. I feel badly but I ignore it and he eventually comes around.  I have wondered if the flea stuff can burn when it is applied.  Perhaps the scent of it is more obnoxious to some dogs.

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

I was wondering about the scent too. It may smell very strong and unpleasant to her even though it smells good to humans! Dogs do have a much keener sense of smell and you mentioned that she was sniffing like crazy.  I wonder if she views it as a punishment and can't figure out what she did wrong to deserve that kind of treatment. Needing to poop right away could be a sign that she was stressed out.  The behavior you are describing "Came inside and literally would not look at me or my boyfriend" as well as putting herself into her crate could also be signs of avoidance of the "alpha dogs" (who have just punished her). Not that she is mad but rather respectful and unsure.

 

Some herbal scents are very unpleasant to dogs and are used in correction collars, etc. So it could be that this is just a very scary experience for her and she is confused about why it is happening.

 

Is it possible to find another product without such a strong smell? If not perhaps you could make a playtime of applying it  by going outside where she can run around and air out afterwards. You could take her favorite toys out or play retrieve or something she really enjoys for a time afterward. That way she will know that she hasn't done anything wrong and instead she gets the reward of play time (along with her treat). Perhaps it might change her attitude about the experience.  Good luck!

[Bryce P]

Hahahah, this is funny because it is not my dood. Just let her be mad, she will get over it (keep trying treats).

[Jennifer,Chloe & Myla]

Hope she gets used to it-she'd be an angry doodle for life!

[Breanne, Dave & Maizy!]

After almost 24 hours Maizy has decided to forgive us!!! What a stubborn little girl!!!