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The doghouse

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Original poster

I think I have totally confused my dog....

18 replies

Punta · 31/07/2018 06:29

I have a 6 month old dog - had him since 3 months. I have taken him to my holiday home in Spain for 6 weeks - we are now 1 week in.

At home, he definitely saw me as ‘the boss’ and was always very excited to see me (on hind legs, paws up, almost dancing to see me). Since we have been away, he still follows me everywhere but he just doesn’t seem as happy in general. He still relies on me for his walks, food and water and will still have a good play, but his behaviour towards me is different. He doesn’t respond to his commands as quickly either.

He is away from his home, away from my husband. I have my sister and nephew currently staying with us (he knows them). I have kept to roughly the same times for his walks - first thing in the morning and a longer one in the evening. This and yesterday morning, he has started to sit down after he has toiletted and doesn’t want to walk further (he does this to my husband at home if I he tries to walk him without me there).

I really think I have upset my dog by bringing him over but I thought he would be fine as long as he was with me. I am sure you will understand when I say that before, he acted as if he was besotted with me and now he is just not that fussed.

Is there anything I can do to make this better? Will be come round naturally eventually?

OP posts:

jellyandsoup · 31/07/2018 06:37

I would imagine it is too hot for him? Why did you take him if your husband is at home? Could his ears have been effected from.the flight, it must be pretty scary as a dog to fly.

Original poster

Punta · 31/07/2018 06:47

Re the heat...I’m taking him out at half 6 and it’s really not hot at all at that time. We have AC in the house and it’s a tiled floor - we have a covered outside area as well. It stays cool out there until mid morning, when he comes in and then is in and out during the day. In the evenings, he is out after dusk and down by the sea, so it is cool again. This house is built for hit weather more that our house in England was!

If I was away for a short period of time such as 2 weeks, I would have left him at home in England, but I am here 6 weeks. My husband works longer hours than me and the dog has always been closer to me as well. He is still at work during the day while I will be with him.

I was worried about the flight, and when we leave we will be driving home. He is enjoying his evening walks and was enjoying he morning walk until yesterday. But he is staying out later and getting a longer walk in the evening.

OP posts:

Branleuse · 31/07/2018 06:58

I think it will be fine and taking your dog places with you will cement his bond to you as a person rather than a building. You needed to bring him anyway so i would roll with it

billybagpuss · 31/07/2018 07:11

I think he probably is a bit confused as they do get used to their own environment. We've taken our pup away for a couple of weekends, which she's loved but she is always sooooo happy to be home.

Also re the commands, yes he's probably tired etc, but you also said he's 6 months which in dogs is the beginning of adolescence. Ours is the same age and she hasn't reacted well to the heat, but in general has been getting less obedient. Recall has gone from 100% to about 3%, its more if she can be bothered and there's nothing else more interesting around.

Keep consistent with it, keep practising her training every day and try not to reward her for ignoring you but loads of praise when she obeys. Yes he's out of her routing but is also going through a perfectly normal stage of puppyhood.

Original poster

Punta · 31/07/2018 07:16

Thanks for your response. He has just come up for some lovely cuddles and we just played with his ragga (this is an open plan house and he loves me throwing it the full length so he can skid along the tiles).

I will keep being persistent with the commands.

OP posts:

SingingTunelessly · 31/07/2018 07:21

Please, please don’t let him skid along the tiles! Very easy way for them to get cruciate damage. Your house sounds lovely and cool btw 😄

Original poster

Punta · 31/07/2018 07:22

We took him away to Scotland a few weeks ago to get him used to staying in different places. He seemed pretty unscathed by it.

OP posts:

Original poster

Punta · 31/07/2018 07:24

Thanks Singing...will avoid that. He used to do it in our kitchen at home. Not a long skid, but I will stop that!

OP posts:

adaline · 31/07/2018 07:30

He's just coming up to his teenage years - they're a recipe for stubborn behaviour and some disobedience. He'll settle eventually and he will grow out of it!

And yes please don't let him skid around - he's only little and still growing. How long are you walking him for? It should only be five minutes per month of age at this stage.

Original poster

Punta · 31/07/2018 07:53

Morning - around 20 - 30 minutes including sitting out on a bench half way

Evening - this is around an hour or so outside, but we usually stop and have an ice cream or a drink somewhere, so he is sitting down for a good 20 minutes during that. Is the longer and later walk in the evening one of the reasons he doesn’t want a longer walk in the morning?

We also play throughout the day and he likes lots of snoozes!

OP posts:

parklives · 31/07/2018 08:08

He's missing home.
My dog loves me and my exh the same, but he loves his home more!

Original poster

Punta · 31/07/2018 08:24

I know - I think he’s homesick too. I thought he would rather be with me. Hopefully, he will come round.

OP posts:

Hoppinggreen · 31/07/2018 09:49

Did you fly or drive him there?
I imagine a flight would be a terrifying experience for a puppy and it would take a while to get over it

Original poster

Punta · 31/07/2018 11:41

We flew. He seemed pretty OK here the first few days, but he has gone a bit quieter over the last couple. I think he is missing my husband as well.

Having said that, I am usually at work during the day (I pop home for my lunch break and finish at 3pm) so perhaps he is always quieter during the day. He usually sleeps through the day and is full of beans once I get home from work. So maybe this ‘quietness’ is what he is used to.

If I initiate the petting and belly rubs, he still loves that. He is barking at unfamiliar sounds , as this house is more echoey than at home. I wonder also if he is sensing my anxiety about it all.

OP posts:

Fluffypie1 · 31/07/2018 21:31

Different smells ,noises ,environment and a flight as well. Dogs love their routines and although you are sticking to the same walks everything else is different and will take time to adjust to it.

Original poster

Punta · 01/08/2018 07:23

Yes - I’m here for another 5 weeks and my husband is over in another 2weeks. Hopefully, he will settle down.

I went out and bought him more toys last night, which he loved.

OP posts:

Chalady · 01/08/2018 07:28

Bless him, maybe he is anticipating flying again? The unknown of "are we doing it again, in a minute?"

So I think once he hopefully realises that you will be driving home, he might settle in the car?

Do you leave the radio on in the day or t.v, on an english familiar channel? It sounds crazy, but it might work.

Original poster

Punta · 01/08/2018 07:55

Yes I’ve been leaving the TV on for him. It helps to mask any unfamiliar sounds as well.

I took him out this morning for his walk. He just wanted to toilet and then come back in again. Maybe he’s decided that’s how he wants his routine to go in the morning. He enjoyed his walk last night and he has seemed a bit more settled.

Last night, he got up and sat on me a few times for a stroke, so maybe he is starting to feel more, secure again.

OP posts:

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