Dog looking guilty

[Orangehorse]

I know there was a thread about this a few months ago, but my dog certainly looked guilty and that was before I found out what she had done and there was no telling off.

One morning last week I thought she looked a bit out of sorts, not quite her usual bouncy self but I was distracted by
something else and I didn't investigate and she seemed quite OK later on. She had her tail clamped to her rear and she was trying to get from the hall door to the outside kitchen door with a very guilty expression on her face and not looking at me. I think I spoke to her with quite a cheerful voice, like "Are you OK, X?"

Well, I was hoovering yesterday and discovered why she was looking guilty. She had been sick under the stairs. There wasn't a lot left(!) and it had dried (!) so hoovering up wasn't too horrid a job.

But who said a dog doesn't know when it has done wrong? Are you sure?

 

[angrybird1]

She probably still felt sick. Dogs do not do guilt. They pick up your body language.
Also being sick is not really doing wrong is it? If she couldn't get out it wasn't her fault.

 

[Dry Rot]

This ^^^^.

Konrad Most explained this very well in "Training Dogs". Not sure if this link willwork, but here goes anyway.

https://books.google.co.uk/books?id...RC6sQ6AEIVTAJ#v=onepage&q=widow bolte&f=false

 

[gunnergundog]

She had her tail clamped to her rear and she was trying to get from the hall door to the outside kitchen door with a very guilty expression on her face and not looking at me. I think I spoke to her with quite a cheerful voice, like "Are you OK, X?"

Well, I was hoovering yesterday and discovered why she was looking guilty. She had been sick under the stairs. There wasn't a lot left(!) and it had dried (!) so hoovering up wasn't too horrid a job.

But who said a dog doesn't know when it has done wrong? Are you sure?

She was just anticipating your reaction from previous occasions.

 

[Alec Swan]

…….. . Dogs do not do guilt. …….. .

Well said, and correct.

Alec.

 

[twiggy2]

Dogs do not do guilt.

Agreed

 

[chillipup]

Agree with AB, and I've never reprimanded a dog for being sick...they can't help it, even if it was self inflicted!....but can anyone explain why they feel the need to select the loveliest, most expensive, rug in house to vomit on rather than just do it where they stand? (whether you are there or not)

 

[ihatework]

She was just anticipating your reaction from previous occasions.

Really?
I have never chastised my dog for having an accident, be that toilet or vomit. Never.
He gets a cuddle, told it's okay and offered to go outside.

He is a very clean house proud dog and is mortified if he has an accident.
I always know if he has had one because he is to be found cowering in a corner!!

I don't think its 'guilt' but it is definitely perceived 'bad' on his part - I reiterate I have never chastised him ��

 

[gunnergundog]

Really?
I have never chastised my dog for having an accident, be that toilet or vomit. Never.
He gets a cuddle, told it's okay and offered to go outside.

He is a very clean house proud dog and is mortified if he has an accident.
I always know if he has had one because he is to be found cowering in a corner!!

I don't think its 'guilt' but it is definitely perceived 'bad' on his part - I reiterate I have never chastised him ��

Body language!

 

[Alec Swan]

…….. !....but can anyone explain why they feel the need to select the loveliest, most expensive, rug in house to vomit on rather than just do it where they stand? (whether you are there or not)

For the very same reason that when a pup decides to chew the heals of two shoes, they never pick a pair, and so ruin TWO pairs!

Alec.

 

[ihatework]

Body language!

Poor over sensitive lad!!

 

[CorvusCorax]

Not guilt, stress.

 

[{97702}]

Not guilt, stress.

Yep - this exactly.....

 

[Cahill]

OP said she didnt know till she found it later.
i think dog was worried/stressed cos he knew it was there.

 

[Dry Rot]

Agree with AB, and I've never reprimanded a dog for being sick...they can't help it, even if it was self inflicted!....but can anyone explain why they feel the need to select the loveliest, most expensive, rug in house to vomit on rather than just do it where they stand? (whether you are there or not)

It depends on the breed. Mine always used to vomit into the gap between the driver's seat and the passenger seat, with most if it going down the gap around the brake lever, and just 150 yards before reaching the destination after a long journey.