i feel so bad that I get crabby with my dog. How can I be nicer?

Question

My dog rocks! i love him so much. He is just hyper and follows me around the house when I am annoyed. He is sooo loving. And when I am annoyed, he clings to me. But I am pregnant and I just want calm and space. He is yappy and hyper and I sometimes just turn around and snap at him and tell him to leave me alone. Then he sulks away with his tail down and I feel so bad. I want him to know how much I love him, but right now, I just want to be alone alot... How can I give him what I need and give me what I need?

OK, this sounds like a stupid question. But I really do feel bad when I snap at him...

Answer 1

I think the best way would be to teach him (if he doesn't already know) a "bed" command. "Get in your bed" is a fairly common phrase to use, although trainers suggest one-word commands like "bed" instead. Have a few "beds" throughout the house (like one in each room you spend the most time in). That way you can tell him "bed" before he start irritating you, but he'll still be in the room with you.

Of course this is easiest with a well-trained dog... which if yours isn't, it's not going to help much unless he's quick to train. In any case... teaching basic commands (come, sit, stay, down, off, leave it, wait, go, bed, etc) makes for a MUCH happier owner and thus a happier dog.

Answer 2

I could only imagine how uncomfortable you must be. Both emotionally and physically.
Being annoyed and having a short fuse is pretty common when expecting. You can't help it, it's just something you go through. You'll be much more calm once the baby comes.
As far as your dog being a little pushy, he knows you're upset about something. Even if it's not him. Our pets are very inquisitive when it comes to our feelings. They feel it when you're upset or angry. They try to comfort us the only way they know how and that's being close to you. I know that can be a little obnoxious but I try to be nice. It's hard sometimes when you just want to be left alone. Something that I do is throw a favorite toy or some treats from where I'm sitting and I kind of zone out while doing so. My dog runs funny and she's full of personality and it helps me to smile a bit. The treat thing is a little better because you won't have to get up to retrieve a toy the dog doesn't want to bring back. Or another thing I do is drop her off at the "babysitter". Mine is only $5 a day and we usually bring her for when we have long work days. It's a nice break too if you're going to be busy at home, want to relax or have a lot of errands to run.
My advice is to try and play a little bit. If that's not working, try the day care thing. It works. Your dog will come home pooped and just want to sleep all night! And that's a relief.
Good luck with your puppy and the new baby!

Answer 3

I had that same problem earlier this year. I was pregnant and had a little dog that needed a lot of attention. She was as sweet as could be, but she followed me everywhere and would cry and whine when I wouldn't hold her and when I would let her outside she would bark nonstop. I ended up giving her to my mom because I knew things would only get worse when the baby came and I wouldn't be able to give her the attention that she needed and deserved. Now she is extremely spoiled and loved very much and I still get to see her when I visit my mom.

Answer 4

Since you want time to yourself, give him something constructive to do. Put him in his crate, confine him to another room, or have him lie on his bed a few feet away and give him a rawhide bone, Kong toy stuffed with food, IQube, or other toy that will require him to work a bit.

Other options: take him to a class. It could be agility, trick training, Canine Good Citizen. The point is to have a scheduled weekly time when you and the dog can spend time together. You won't feel so guilty about wanting alone time if you know you have this "date" and he will get quality time with you in class and when you do your homework.

Have a dog walker take him out. It doesn't matter if you are home and technically available to walk him. I know people who work at home and hire a dog walker to take the dogs out so they can be in the home office. You get a break and he gets some fun.

Answer 5

As well you should. You are capable of controlling your own anger, especially that which is directed at a helpless animal or a child!! You will certainly need to learn patience when the baby arrives!! I highly suggest you start now by coddling your little pup!! He loves you with all his heart. He is fully aware of your "condition" and is most likely under foot because he feels drawn to you! You need to get ahold of yourself and give him even more love now, since he may very well feel left out once the baby arrives.

If this continues, I strongly suggest you find another home for your pooch where he will be loved and not snapped at for loving his human!!

Answer 6

Well, sounds like the horomones of pregnancy are kicking in and affecting your dog as a result. It's so common for pregnant women to have a lower tolerance... been there, done that.

If you have the option, take your dog to some basic obedience classes. You can teach your dog, with the assistance of a good trainer, when it's appropriate time to play and when it's time to be calm and relax. I wouldn't trade my trainer for the world and we've done so much with our Border Collie puppy since beginning classes.

Answer 7

First congratulations on being pregnant. I'm sure you know that pregnancy can case mood swings. I love dogs so much. My husband took our dogs (they were his dogs before we were married) to the pound because he didn't want to deal with them any more. It broke my heart. Believe me dogs forgive you. I used to live in the city and this family had a pit bull. I tell you this dog was the most lovable dog you could meet.

Can you put your dog outside for a while? Then you can rest.

This might sound like an off the wall thing to do...but when I was young my parents had a welsh corgi and the breeder we bought him from told us...if he barks too much...throw a can (like a coke can) of stones at him. We did this one time and he was under the bed. The next time my Mom just shook it a little and he was gone. After that all she had to do was act like she was going for the can of stones and he would be quite. There must be something about that sound that they don't like. Like I said I loved that dog...don't think we were cruel to him. He was like a family member.

I hope your dog and your baby get along well...good luck.

Answer 8

Here is what people don't understand about dogs. They can't understand our feelings. They don't know when you are crabby, all they know is that your like their parent and there is a conflict with you. They are just like a kid, so they can't read your mind when your in a bad mood. I know you may be impatient because you are pregnant, but he doesn't know the difference, so take it easy on the little guy. If you aren't wanting to fool with him put him in a room away from you for a while. It's not his fault your in a bad mood!

Answer 9

Your dog will always be happy and excited to see and be with you. Dogs forgive and forget easily so just relax, try to be calm and try putting him/her outside, take for a walk or play with him/her for awhile. Your dog needs activity and maybe you could find a way to release some of there energy with activities. You too could probably use some regular walking, and stress relief under the circumstances.

Answer 10

I know what it is like to want your own space, and having your companion following you through the house. My dog loves my company no matter where I go in my house. I feed him , and I go to the bathroom for some me time. He gets what he wants, and I get some alone time. It works!!! >^.^<
Have a good day!