I have a 5 1/2 month old chocolate lab baby who is a wonderful dog, however we have been on holidays for 2 weeks and she went back to the breeder to stay while we were away. I picked her up yesterday and she won’t talk to me now. She won’t look at me, give eye contact, or come when called, and she won’t participate in any games or activities with me. I understand she is cranky with me, not sure if it is because I left her, or picked her up (she was having a lovely time with the other dogs) but not sure how to get that closeness back now. To make it worse I have to take her to the vet tomorrow to get desexed, so guessing she will be even more upset with me then. Any suggestions?
I there and welcome! First of all, I'd cancel (postpone) her surgery if you are able. It's asking a lot for her to to be away from you and then a day later go through surgery. As for why she's acting this way, it could be any of the reasons you've mentioned. I've found my girl dogs (my own and fosters) to have much better memories than my boys and likely to "punish" me with a grudge for something I did that they didn't care for. On the bright side, they all got over it and would forgive me and I imagine your girl will do the same. I doubt you need to do anything special to get her over her huff, but just treat her with your normal love and affection and she'll come around in a few days. If you think it's because she really loved playing with the other dogs and misses that, maybe set up more play dates/outings to increase her contact with other dogs? Not to get her over her huff, just as an idea going forward. Hope she's back to her old self soon!
I had a collie that used to do that. She would turn her back on me for a few days and look absolutely disgusted at my behaviour. She would keep it up for two or three days and then full favour and grace would suddenly be returned. Don't worry, she will soon be back to her old self.
We had a collie once that was my daughters best friend, once when she was nine we went away for a few days and he ignored her on our return. She cried and sobbed so much that he had no option but to try to comfort her so he couldn't keep it up and was all over her in no time !
I agree with Emily regarding postponing surgery. It might be too much for her to go through this at this time. Give it a few days and she will come around. Harley gave me the cold shoulder when I went away for 1 night, even though she stayed with my OH. It only lasted a day.
Thanks for the replies, I did think about postponing the surgery but due to some other commitments I couldn’t do that. However she has handled that fabulously and I now seem to be back in her good graces. She is currently curled up with me soaking up all her post operative attention. Any excuse is a good excuse I suppose.
