am I over reacting?

[boxerprincess]

Probably.

I think Princess is mad at me, and its really hurting my feelings. :confused:

Princess is generally well behaved and extremely affectionate...She is still being a good girl, but over the last few weeks, she has become very distant with me. No more love, kisses, snuggles or affection and an "oh its you" reaction when I come home.

She is still her normal affectionate self around my boyfriend, but she only sees him a few days a week - and he's always been adored by her.

I think I can pinpoint where things changed, but need help with solutions.

Since the time I adopted Princess last fall, I'd been working from home about 90% of the time - was always around. In the past few weeks I've been in the office a more regular 9-5 schedule, so Princess has been either in her crate (which she has no objection to) or is inside the house, but uses the doggie window.(depending on how extreme the AZ heat is that day)

Between work changes and personal commitments, I guess in general she has been spending more time away from me, and more time alone. When I'm home we still do all the same fun stuff as before, but I think she misses sleeping on my feet all day!

I really think that she is mad at me because of all this. Help!

Tracey

 

[Lisa M]

I would try doing something special for her when you come home. When we have been out longer then usual, I'll come home, let Casper out of his crate, change out of my dressy clothes, then greet Casper and Sumi in a really happy voice, grab the leashes and say - "Do my babies want to go for a nice walk" in the most excited voice. They run over to the door, Casper does his bucking bronco dance, then I pet them and get them to sit and on go the leashes and off we go for our nice long walk. You could also do a play session, anything that shows her you are committed to still spending quality time with her.

It sounds like your baby just misses you and wants to be with you.

 

[jenniemitchell]

No Doubt

I agree, Princess misses you! I also have to leave my Babe alone a lot, so we always take a walk when I get home--or even better--go to the park. Plus, of course, lots of hugs and treats! I'm sure she'll adjust to your new schedule, maybe a new toy would help to keep her occupied?

 

[srcchapman]

Lonely Pup

I totally agree, sounds like your pup is just lonely for you. My husband and I recently survived a rather large lay-off and were asked to take on longer hours to help ease the transition. We knew our pups would be drastically affected by this becuase they know exactly when we are "supposed" to be home. (They actually camp out in the front window half hour before we get home.) We decidely until things calmed down at work, we would try out a local "doggie daycare facility" a few days a week. Also, we asked one of our friends to just stop by and say hello. Our pups seem to have adjusted to our temporary schedules pretty good, but one things is for sure, no other person, place, or thing can replace your personal attention. Don't you just love dogs!

 

[powderman]

Our boxer, Lady, never got mad at us, but I would have to say she could show disappointment and lay on a pretty heavy guilt trip! I used to take her running with me and it was something she really looked forward to---think she could smell my running shoes or something. Anyway, as she got older, it got harder and harder for her to keep up. She could not jump into the back of the minivan anymore, so she would just put her paws on the back bumper and wait for me to lift her rear quarters for her. Eventually, she could not longer keep up and I stopped taking her for safety reasons. As I would leave, she would whine and cry until I was gone, and after I got back, she would just follow me around for a while looking at me with those pleading brown eyes...made me feel like I had been a really "bad person", which was her intent!!

 

[leenasmom]

Leena gets mad at me when I go out back to clean up after them:eek: , and don't bring her with me. She will sit in her crate and sing (woo-woo). She cracks me up!!!

 

[boxerprincess]

update!

Well things seem back to normal with Princess....now I'm getting SOOOOOO much attention from her that she's become quite the drama queen.
(but i love it! she's soo precious)

when I get home from work she'll kb in circles around me, crying and doing that moan wimper "pay attention to me" noise...Not wanting to encourage that, I (try!) ignore her for a few minutes until she dramatically picks up a toy/treat, flops herself on the floor and lets out the hugest moaning crying sigh. She'll let the treat/toy drop out of her mouth like its just waaaay too much work to chew on it, moan and cry once more, and then she's quiet.

 

[lmyhand]

Overreacting?

Everyone has given GREAT advice! I think my pup Baxter got a little mad at me when I started leaving for work during the day. He actually at my couch! He is getting better though but I am still afraid of getting a new couch!!!!:confused:

 

[Marie Christine]

He does not get mad much!

Brutus does the guilt trip often, I can live with that, I cant live with the back-talking. He is going to kill me one day I laugh so much. He thinks it is highly unfair of me to tell him "back" when I am doing something and he wants to see. For example, I'm reading a magazine and he wants to look (put his head in my lap), if I say "back" he moves one pace back and moans and groans then one pace forward, I say "back" again then he barks and moans and groans. It really is too funny. Brutus has no problem going "back" from food or another dog, its only me he will not go "back" from. I love it but I usually end up with tears running down my face from laughing. Not only will he kill me with laughter but I'll get wrinkles around my eyes to boot!

 

[rlogle]

Dogs

No matter how much we'd like our dogs to be human, or just behave human, or just have human emotions they do not. Dog's don't get mad at us, they don't feel guilt or try to make us feel guilt. Your pup should have been seen by a vet or animal behaviorist. Dogs have no conception of time, in such that we have. They become members of our "pack", and yes they know when we are gone but not how long. Your pup knows that it depends on it for it's survival. Put your pup in a crate with some of it's toys and leave it, however not for over a couple of hours till it gets older, it will make the pup feel more secure while you are gone.
Don't make the mistake of thinking that your dog has the same feelings that you have, they do not.
Good luck.