Help! I think my puppy hates me

[Raghu]

After a lot of help from DK family, I was well prepared to receive my first pet my fur ball remy. Again, with help from DK family I was able to get him potty trained over the next 4 weeks.

He has been a very well behaved puppy over the last 3 months. We had to leave him at the boarding 2 weeks ago (for 3 days) to attend a family emergency. On bringing him back home he seemed to have forgotten all the potty training..

The other day, while I was admiring the new carpet we got, I caught him quietly peeing on the carpet.

It was my fault, I screamed in rage and pushed him off the carpet. Off the carpet, he was looking at me in the submissive pose and peeing all over himself. I picked him and took him out to his spot to pee. He did his business and just did not want to get back in the house.

Since then, he has lost appetite. Does not ring the bell when he needs to pee. Not very eager to get out of his crate. Refuses to get back home after his walks. The scariest was a couple of days back when I opened the crate door to take him out for his morning walk.

As I tried to pet him while he stood up in his crate, he peed in the crate !

I quickly picked him up and took him outside to do his business. He refused to get inside the house after  the walk. On carrying him into the house, he did not move from the spot I set him. I gave him his fav. snack but still no response. I cleaned up the mess in the crate after which he walked right back.

He warms upto me over the day. He plays fetch and tug. I let him win and praise him with treats to build his confidence but its the same situation in the morning where he is petrified and scared to get out of the crate.

Have I scared him for life? What else can I do to build his confidence ??

[Raghu]

Hahaha I do the high pitched tone "NO!" to my wife followed by "good girl" if she listens... :)

He has been a lot better today... still scared to get out of the crate but once out, he looks happy and runs around like his usual self...

I hope he is on his way back to being a goof ball

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

It sounds like trauma to me, I too wonder what happened to him when you left him.

[BG and Gavin]

Be consistent, lots of leash time, more obedience challenges and I think he will pass through this.

[Jennifer,Chloe & Myla]

I really hope that nothing happened at the kennel to frighten him, I think he was startled by the reacion on the new carpet.

Puppy class really would help omprove the bond and let him get used to other dogs being around. Keep us posted, good luck.

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

I do not think your yelling about the carpet did this (unless you have inadvertently repeated this behavior or used a certain tone over and over again with him - not just for the carpet).  I mean, I cannot lie, I definitely yelled at Peri a few times, snatched her booty up and definitely scared her a bit when I was potty training her (it is HARD to keep your patience at all times!).  She was never was fearful of me.  I feel like it stemmed from the boarding facility (don't go back there if you can help it).  Did they crate in the boarding facility???

To get things back on track, train, train, train, train all the time.  Use lots of positive reinforcement. The high-pitched voice when you take him outside. The second he peepees, say "yes!!!"  have a little party and give him a treat.  When approaching the crate, give him a treat when he goes in there.  When you want him to come out, put a treat at the end and call him.  When he comes out give him lots and lots of love and praise - use the high kiddy voice again whenever he comes out of his shell.  Continue to work with him through walking on a leash, training, positive reinforcement, etc....

[Laurie, Wally & Charlotte]

If I remember correctly, you are supposed to scold them when you catch them in the act of peeing inside, and scoop them up and go outside immediately.  That way, you turn the accident into a learning moment.  It sounds like you did the right thing.  Something else must be going on, as his behavior sounds unrelated to the potty accident.  

[Maryann,Roo and Tigger]

All will be well, honest.  You just have a sensitive puppy, which is easier than one who isn't.  He is just confused about what happened.  Since he is so young, just go back to the start.  Pick him up to go out to potty, lots of praise when he does, pick him up to come in.  Put him in the crate, with praise, take him out with a smile and a kiss.  Keep your voice and actions small and gentle. In about three days to a week, all will be well.

 Tigger is sensitive in that way also and even at nearly four he will pick up on something I or someone else important to him did that startled him or he thought was directed at him and get a little weird with whoever was responsible.  Often these extremely vigilant and observant dogs make great obedience dogs and are always excellent pets.  One caveat, please start carefully introducing young children now.  Young children make loud sounds, sudden movements, etc.  He needs to know that these are not important signals for him.  Respond to startles and silliness with nonchalance and easy reassurance.  Be careful not to reinforce this "frightened" behavior with lots of cuddles and food.   Wait a bit (10 minutes) and then play a fun game for a minute. 

[BG and Gavin]

Great feedback Maryann!

[Donna K & Quincy]

I don't know if this would help any but maybe you could move his crate to a different spot and maybe it will change the association. If you catch him peeing inside, just a firm no and take him outside is enough. Then you have to do the potty dance, well not really dance but make a big deal out of it. Good Luck, love and patience, lots and lots of patience.