My dog is scared of me.

[darren9]

I have a bullmastiff/dogue de Bordeaux cross. She's a very sweet and loving animal with a great temperament. But, it seems that she has become scared of me.

She's fine with my wife and seems to have a very strong bond with her but reacts completely differently around me.

When I'm home alone the dog won't stay in the same room as me and if I approach her her tail goes between her legs and her ears go back.

This has only happened recently a few months ago she was more than happy to be around me, I haven't done anything to her, I haven't mis-treated her. The only thing I can think is that I've been quite stressed recently as my mum died in February we've had a child and bought a house, could she have picked up on my stress?


Any ideas on how I can build up our relationship?

Edited by darren9 on Thursday 15th November 10:11

[falkster]

Jess was a little like this with me but she is a very nervous dog anyway.
Are you a moody person or temperamental? Only ask this because Jess would disappear if I'd had a rubbish day at work, she could sense it when I got home. My wife is total opposite as she is always happy so the dogs go to her all the time.
You won't fix it instantly but I started by making a concious effort not to walk into the house in a negative mood and always make sure she knows I'm pleased to see her - a little bit of blackmail works too, giving treats etc.
10 months later and she'll sit looking at me for ages - a little freaky but she's happy.

[darren9]

falkster said:

Are you a moody person or temperamental? Only ask this because Jess would disappear if I'd had a rubbish day at work, she could sense it when I got home. .

I have been recently, I guess life's just been a bit hard. I'm making more of an effort with Betty (the dog) recently. I've got this virus that's been going around so I'm off work I've just managed to persuade her to lie with me. She's getting more fuss. I'll just have to try and be less of a grump I suppose.

Thanks for the tip.

[AdiT]

Probably just picked up on your mood and overreacted. Put a bag of dog treats in the car so you can havesome in hand when you come home; She'll soon like you again I suspect.

[LordHaveMurci]

Who feeds her? If you're around at food time try to make sure that you're the one who feeds her.

[darren9]

I'll try the treat thing. Me and the wife feed her as much as each other while 1 is settling our son the other feeds the dog. I'm the one who walks her all the time too. I'm hoping now I'm over the worst of my stress the dog will come round.