We got her about a month ago. She’s an almost grown puppy. Black lab mix. We got her because her owner (friend/nieghbor) could not take care of her.
When we got her she was fine about running all over the house. Recently, though, she won’'t cross the kitchen She won’t go into the back room by way of the kitchen. Although she’s fine in the back room once we get her there. If we throw her favorite toy into the kitchen, she looks at it, lie down and whimpers.
Could someone out there who knows dog behavior tell me what is going on? Any ideas?
Does the kitchen have linoleum, tile, or hardwood? Maybe she slips on it and is therefore afraid of it. One of our favorite amusements is to toss a ball in the kitchen and watch lil’ Grommy slip and slid around as he bounds after it.
Do you have a gas stove? My Yellow lab never comes into the kitchen, and does the same thing your dog is doing when we try to get him in there. It’s been 3 years though and we love it because he never begs at dinner time.
Back to the gas stove, presumably they hate the smell of the gas or even the sound of the pilot light…possible? shrugs
If its a problem (do you have to wrestle the dog to get it into the back room, or is there another path that isnt a problem for the pup?) then perhaps give lettle rewards for walking into the kitchen. The dog might learn that she doesn;t have to be afraid, and that there’s even some good in being willing to walk into the kitchen.
Maybe your kitchen is haunted? Animals are sensitive to ghosts, you know.
I think my kitchen is haunted. The other day I was standing in front of my refrigerator and I opened the door. Suddenly I felt a “cold spot”. Sure sign of a ghost, cold spots are!
Well ok not really. But it’s just that weird. cause she didn’t have any problem with the kitchen too start with. And she doen’t seem to have a problem with linoleum (that was the first thing I thought of but she will walk on linoleum- just not this one part of the room.)
We have a gas stove. That sounds possible.
So should we convert to electric or arrange for an exorcism?
Well, did anything happen in the kitchen that might have scared her? Something fall off the counter and bonk her nose? That would be the first thing I’d think of.
I posted this in another thread:
My friend’s dog is afraid of raw potatoes.
My friend was peeling potatoes and the puppy was under foot. She dropped one of the potatoes and it bounced off the puppy’s nose. Her grown up dog is afraid of potatoes.
With lotsa love and treats, you can condition your dog to get used to the kitchen.
Remember: When your doggy is scared, don’t try to reassure her by petting her – she’ll think she’s being “rewarded” for being scared. Reward “bravery.”
