Sooky Pup

[Eileen]

My 6 month old Stafford pup has started doing something odd in the morning. When we get back from the park she is bouncy and happy as normal. Once I start tidying the kitchen and making my boyfriend a cup of coffee to take upstairs, she gets really dejected, flopping on the couch with droopy head and body, and she won't look at me. After I go upstairs I usually have a shower, get dressed, come back downstairs, do a few more things and put her out for the day with a bone, unless boyfriend is staying home. She ignores me this whole time and her whole demeanour is like she is sick. (The first time she did I did think she was sick, or had a tick).

Yesterday my boyfriend stayed home and he told me as soon as the front door closed, she jumped up and ran over to him for pats with her tail wagging. Um, I am trying not to humanise my dog, but talk about emotional blackmail, haha.

I usually ignore her for the last 20 mins or so, as I thought that was meant to minimise separation anxiety, but is this making her worse?

[Riley'n'Mia]

My 6 month old Stafford pup has started doing something odd in the morning. When we get back from the park she is bouncy and happy as normal. Once I start tidying the kitchen and making my boyfriend a cup of coffee to take upstairs, she gets really dejected, flopping on the couch with droopy head and body, and she won't look at me. After I go upstairs I usually have a shower, get dressed, come back downstairs, do a few more things and put her out for the day with a bone, unless boyfriend is staying home. She ignores me this whole time and her whole demeanour is like she is sick. (The first time she did I did think she was sick, or had a tick).

Yesterday my boyfriend stayed home and he told me as soon as the front door closed, she jumped up and ran over to him for pats with her tail wagging. Um, I am trying not to humanise my dog, but talk about emotional blackmail, haha.

I usually ignore her for the last 20 mins or so, as I thought that was meant to minimise separation anxiety, but is this making her worse?

They are brilliant at making us feel guilty (and worried) aren't they, mine is the opposite I get up an hour earlier than I need to so I can play with him before I get ready for work and once play time is over he sticks to me like glue whinging and giving me the sad eyes right up until the time I give him his bone or chicken wing and put him outside when I leave for work. He never does this to my OH (he usually leaves first) just makes me feel bad, so we are getting him a little sister picking her up next week so he has another friend at home to play with whilst we're at work. When he's a bit older I will bring them both to work but he doesn't understand when I tell him that staying home all day is only until he gets out of his naughty puppy stage (he's 3½ mnths).

Sorry can't answer your question for you but I know how you feel !

[Poodle wrangler]

Don't let her make you feel guilty- dogs don't think that way .

My dogs always have "quiet time" after coming in and having a play and feed in the morning- they go outside and have a sleep and sun themselves (hard life!). Perhaps she's just tired after the walk?

Ignoring her for the last 20 minutes won't make her worse.

Do you do some training with her? That really increases your bond, but in a good way

[schnauzer_luv]

I have only just started walkies with my pup but I know when we get home he flops down like he's run a marathon (we walk for 10 mins max) and cant play and can barely be bothered to drag himself over to his water. So maybe your pups just really tired...the door closing thing may be that your pup thinks everyone is gone when the door shuts then notices your OH is still there to play with so gets some renewed energy?? Mine does a very similar thing when the front door shuts, a quick scout around the house and if he finds anyone he plays with his "treasure".

Dont feel guilty, your pup probably isn't as complex as you think Food and love, food and love...I'm pretty sure thats all they repeat in their heads.

[MyMontage]

Don't let it make you feel guilty. Your pup might even be used to the routine you have of walkies, home, coffee, shower etc. and just knows what is coming so doesn't feel anything and is just content to lie there. I wouldn't complain. Maybe just vary the routine a little bit from day to day and just not fuss the dog around or anything so she gets used to things just happening around her and won't feel anxious. I'm sure she is fine.