Guilt: Bad dog owner?

Question

My baby loves to run and I took him with me this morning to get coffee and study. I rode my bike and he ran- I like him to run and get the energy out when possible and I don't have a car. We've done it before and I am pretty careful.

Well today I was pulling off to the side to let him go potty and he turned and headed right toward me and his leg hit the bike. He yelped and cried and limped for about 45 seconds and them put him leg down and walked just fine. 1 hour later I check them again and he didn't yelp when I touched them or flinch or anything. We ran home with him going pretty fast (I let him choose the speed) and em being extremely careful.

I still feel awful about it- I called the vet and they said if he seems fine he probably is.- just keep an eye on him.

He keeps the kisses coming- he doesn't seem mad.

Has anyone else had a similar experience? Do you still feel bad?

Answer 1

I can tell you that I have had similar incidents with my pets and with my kiddos, and you will always feel guilty and badly. you feel that way because you are responsible for the care and attention that the animal receives, and that is natural. you have to understand that accidents happen, and you didn't mean to do it, forgive yourself he has.

Answer 2

Accidents happen. I can see how upset you are. I probably would take him to the vet to get checked out just in case anything is wrong, but please don;t go blaming yourself.

We all have things happen that we do blame ourselves for even when it's not our fault. I have MS and walking is hard for me most of the time. I do try to walk at home when I can to keep some strength in my legs. More than once I have lost balance and stumbled and steped on a tiny Chihuahua paw. I fee so bad for it, but my babies always forgive me just like yours has forgiven you. They know we would never intentionally hurt them.

Big hugs for you and gentle hugs for the little one.

Oh and I want to add if you were a bad dog owner you would not even care about what happened. Becuase you feel so guilty says a lot to me that you are a GOOD dog owner because you really do care.

Answer 3

I play ball with my dog. I will stand on the deck and throw his tennis ball and ran and missed the last four steps off the deck. He is a cocker spaniel he cried for awhile. The thing I have to watch for is that every now and then when he gets tired he limps on the one paw that was hurt. I felt so bad but we still go for walks alsmost on a daily basis. Just watch to make sure he does favor the legs and limp all the time. Good Luck!

Answer 4

Beating yourself up about it won't do you or him any good. It was a complete accident and he's fine. By the way he's kissing you, he's just telling you he's fine. He just wants to please you. Everything's fine, and in a few days you'll forgive yourself.

One time I actually put my dog on the counter (he's a small dog) thinking he'd stay. He fell off and limped for a minute then was completely fine. Even though he was fine I still cried for 2 hours and couldn't sleep. I felt really bad, but then in a few days I realized that I was just inexperianced with dogs.

Answer 5

You shouldn't let your dog choose the speed. That could cause an accident, worse this time. I've seen people do that with dogs, in short distances. It's fine as long as you're careful about it, and bring plenty of water for your dog. =) That's a great way to exercise. I wish I could do that with mine, it's just way too hot here, 115 degrees is the highest it's gotten this summer. The ground is too hot on there paws too.

Don't feel awful, at least you checked to see if he was alright afterwards, that's why he's so forgiving.

Answer 6

It was an accident and Dogs are loyal and forgiving:
This is specially for you -

A Dog's Prayer
by Beth Norman Harris
Treat me kindly , my beloved master, for no heart in all the world is more grateful for kindness than the loving heart of me.
Do not break my spirit with a stick, for although I should lick your hand between blows, your patience and understanding will more quickly teach me the things you would have be do.
Speak to me often, for your voice is the world's sweetest music, as you must know by the fierce wagging of my tail when your footstep falls upon my waiting ear.
When it is cold and wet, please take me inside, for I am now a domesticated animal, no longer used to bitter elements. And I ask no greater glory than the privilege of sitting at your feet beside the hearth. Though had you no home, I would rather follow you through ice and snow than rest upon the softest pillow in the warmest home in the land, for you are my god and I am your devoted worshipper.
Keep my pan filled with fresh water, for although I should not reproach you were it dry, I cannot tell you when I suffer thirst. Feed me clean food so that I may stay well to romp and play and do your bidding, to walk by your side, and stand ready willing and able to protect you with my life should your life be in danger.
And beloved master , should the Great Master see fit to deprive me of my health or sight, do not turn me away from you. Rather, hold me gently in your arms as skilled hands grant me the merciful boon of eternal rest... and I will leave you knowing with the last breath I draw, my fate was every safest in your hands.
http://ra.nilenet.com/~gaska/dogpray1.html

Answer 7

I have a similar experience, but with my son. When he was a baby (in the toddling and teething stage) we adults were sitting at the kitchen table playing cards. He toddled over and bit my thigh! I khad an autonomous reaction and backhanded him! I cried harder than he did when I realized what (who) caused the pain and what I had done! I'd like to say we both got over it. My son doesn't remember, he is 26 yrs old now, but every now and then I remember that awful feeling of knowing what I had just done.

Obviously, this was just an accident, you loving pooch knows it. Keep reassuring him that you love him, and he will continue to give you unconditional love.

That is what unconditional love is-even though you did something to cause him pain, he still loves you.

Answer 8

Im not sure if riding your bike while hes running is the best idea but if hes fine then just remember theres nothing you can do its in the past and you cant do anything about it maybe if you feel really bad then you can go out and buy him a treat maybe a toy or a bone or something

Answer 9

i've never had this experiance, being that i dont own a dog, but i would feel extremely guilty if that happened! it doesnt make you a bad dog owner; everybody makes mistakes. one time, i was walking and i accidentally kicked my cat and i felt soooo bad! i had to hug him and make him feel better. my advice to you is just realize that the dog is apparently fine, and try your hardest not to let that happen again so neither of you ever have to go through that again. continue the loving relationship between you and your dog, and i wish you both the best! =]
Another quick story; a few years ago my sister was wearing shorts and i set a kitten on her leg. apparently he scratched a bit, and her automatic reaction was to fling him off! well, he went flying into a basket and sat there mewing. so i rescued him and my sister was freaking out that she had just done that! the kitten continued to act nicely around us though.

P.S. dont hold on to things for too long!

Answer 10

I stepped on both of my dog's tails one time by accident. Mia yelped for a second and I did feel like slapping myself for doing it, but 10 minutes later, Mia ran up to me giving me all kinds of kisses. Dogs will always love you, even if you make a mistake. Everything will be fun if you just do your normal routines with your dog: Give it love, care, and responsibility.

Answer 11

You certainly don't sound like a bad dog owner to me. Accidents happen to everyone, and that's just what this was - a minor accident. If your baby "ran" home, it sounds as if he is just fine. I know it's hard not to feel guilty, but just focus on how much you love your dog and be happy that he's OK.