[titiaamor]

I was just removing ticks off my pup, when I went to get one from inside his ear I guess it really hurt- he screamed, I jumped back, then he ran toward me like he does when I've been gone for a few hours: leaning up against me, licking my hands, jumped up a little.

What happened?

He generally doesn't like it when I mess with his ears and toes (although I'm working on grooming him daily and getting him OK with those areas), but usually he growls.

I feel so bad. :redface:

 

[3doglady]

Sorry. I have no experience with this. Just sounds like the tick was in a sensitive spot. I would have loved him up and gave him a treat, then maybe play for a bit, or took him for a walk. You don't want to give him time to focus on negative experiences. Turn it into something fun and happy.

 

[titiaamor]

Aww. Thanks. That's what I did. Loved him up, played tug, threw the ball a bit.

I still feel awful, but I have to move on I guess. He already has!

 

[hanksimon]

Dogs forgive. You hurt him and I guess you reacted in a way the he recognized as an unintended injury... You 'apologized' and he accepted... So ya'll are friends again, all is forgotten.

I'm not being precise, but when I have to hurt my dog to medicate him, etc. when he whines I will pull back and do what I have established as an apology - gentle talk and patting. Then, I go back and continue the painful procedure. If it is not too painful, he will let me continue and he won't whine (much).

On the other hand, if he pulls away, I usually don't allow that and hold him tightly.

 

[Amaryllis]

Poor little guy! If he ran right to you, I'm sure he understood you didn't mean it, or maybe didn't even realize that you did it. Muggsy used to chase his own tail, snapping at it, then he'd catch it, hurt himself, squeal and run to me from protection from the horrible thing that hurt him. He never did realize he was hurting himself.

 

[lisahi]

Whenever I accidentally hurt Coco (usually by stepping on her foot), I immediately go into my high-pitched "I love you" excited voice, pet her, and she forgets about being hurt and gets happy and playful.

 

[Greater Swiss]

One time Caeda jumped at my DH and nipped at him HARD, she was playing hard and still pretty young (I think she thought the thing he picked up off of the table was a toy, and she didn't have decent manners yet), maybe 5 months tops, he didn't expect it and swung his arm. She fell back and hurt her leg, yelped pretty loud, limped for about 5 mins, then she was all good. She was a little iffy around him for about half an hour, but never at all since. I think she forgot about it before she recognized it as an accident. My DH on the other hand was more upset by it for longer lol....dogs are incredibly forgiving (and in most cases, pretty resilient).
I wouldn't worry too much, I don't blame you for feeling bad though!