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Hello everyone, I'm in college and my dog has always played and wrestled with me when I came over. Recently I had to leave town for a month and a half. So my last day at home was Christmas. My dog was normal then. Today I came home and my dog was scared of me it seemed. She hid and wouldn't come out. Why would this be? It makes me feel terrible.
I know if may sound funny, but if you changed your facial hair (grew a bunch or shaved it all off) - even wearing sunglasses or a hat can sometimes confuse our pets. One of our pups didn't recognize my boyfriend recently after he dramatically changed his appearance...it took her a while to calm down and approach him.
Maybe you smell different--a new soap? New aftershave? Or perhaps you gave off a scent of agitation, or some hormones the dog doesn't associate with you?
Your dog may also be mad at you for deserting her. Dogs have feelings, too. You left for a long time and now you want things to just be exactly as before. She needs time and attention from you. You said you "visit" - does that mean you are no longer living in the house? If so, she might be distancing herself from the pain of repeatedly losing you.
One more consideration: is your dog a senior? She may not be well.
Your dog may also be mad at you for deserting her. Dogs have feelings, too. You left for a long time and now you want things to just be exactly as before. She needs time and attention from you. You said you "visit" - does that mean you are no longer living in the house? If so, she might be distancing herself from the pain of repeatedly losing you.
One more consideration: is your dog a senior? She may not be well.
I think the dog is upset you were gone and is showing displeasure. There could be other reasons for the behavior too, but I think it is displeasure.
Krocken, after re-reading your post I'm also thinking there may be something wrong with your dog. You call her"your" dog, but you don't live at home. That sounds to me as if you grew up with her/have had her while you lived at home, and now you haven't lived with your parents for a while (and she is not your responsibility). So she could be a senior by now, and her memory might be affected for some reason. I hope not--the best case scenario would be that she is punishing you for being gone. In that case she'll snap out of it. Let us know how she behaves during your next visit.
I got her over the summer and spent all summer and most fall with her. My dad takes care of her when I'm not there. She's not a senior because she isn't even 2 yet. She is probably upset I've been gone for so long.
Yet we've all seen videos of soldiers deployed for over a year coming home to joyous dogs so it doesn't seem like the length of time would be a factor. Same thing for lost dogs finally reunited with their people. I'll bet it was something physical about you. Our dogs bark and back away if we have on sunglasses, funny hats or gloves and especially hoods.
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I hope you have a nice visit with your furry friend!
