Puppy Depression

[Sarah B.]

When my boyfriend and I adopted our puppy 2 weeks ago, Otto (the puppy) seemed to be comfortable with both of us. Over the last week, Otto has gotten increasingly attached to me, and seems to be depressed whenever I leave. When I am not present, he refuses to play and walk with my boyfriend. Although my boyfriend persistently tries to play with him and engage him, Otto will sleep for most of the day and ignore my boyfriend completely. When my boyfriend takes him outside, Otto will walk only far enough to do his business, then won't budge unless it's in the direction of home. With me, it is a totally different story. When I'm home with him, he plays with me and on his own, and when we're outside, he will walk as far away from home as I take him. If he does sleep when I'm the one home with him, it is always right next to me (as opposed to when he is with my bf). For the most part, we spend roughly equal time with him.
To increase their bond, my boyfriend has started feeding him more often and taking him out for his middle of the night walk (Otto is only 3 1/2 months old), but this hasn't seemed to help. Is this something that might go away as he gets comfortable in his new home? He was brought to the shelter because he was in improper living conditions, but he seems far too trusting and unflinching to have been abused, so I think it is unlikely that he has formed a dislike of men because of a traumatic history. Does anyone have any suggestions for how we can encourage a bond between my boyfriend and our puppy? It is his first dog, and I think he's disappointed that Otto doesn't seem to care for him at all :(. Any and all advice would be appreciated! Thanks!

[Freedom]

BF feeding him, walking him, good start. Can they play a bit together too? Maybe BF can start teaching his commands (sit, lie down) so he is getting treats now and then.

Any idea what breed Otto is? Some breeds do develop a loyalty to one person, but once you are gone (work, etc) he should be OK with BF.

Although, as I write this: Dad says when I leave for grocery shopping, he could swear there isn't a dog in the house! They all go to sleep someplace. None of this "I am on the wrong side of the door" Grand Central Station as they trek in and out, no toys tossed to him to get attention. This IS a bichon trait, though. They tend to lock on to one person.

If Dad goes to sit in the backyard and calls, they will go with him. BUt there is not the mad dash to the door to be with him at all costs, as when I go to the door.

[Karen]

Yes, as Freedom said, encourage your boyfriend to be persistent about walks, and treats. Maybe once the pup has had all his shots, your boyfriend and the puppy could take Puppy Kindergarten together, as any training helps cement the bond, and as it's his first dog, likely he could use the human tips as well!

What breed is the pup, or breeds? Do you know? Just curious.

[Sarah B.]

Thanks for your response! Otto is probably a pointer mix of some sort. I posted his picture in the Breeds forum, and a lot of people guessed that he might be mixed with Heeler (another breed that tends to connect with one owner).

The boyfriend tries to play with Otto, but Otto is just completely disinterested. After lots of trial and error (he's a picky little guy), we've discovered that Otto likes turkey hot dog pieces as treats, and my boyfriend has been using them to try to get Otto to walk with him, but it isn't too successful. Thankfully, Otto will do some training (sit, lie down, stay, and come) for treats, but it hasn't seemed to help him take to the bf. We'll keep up with it, though!

[Karen]

Oh, yes - have you tried squeaky toys? Some dogs love anything that makes a funny noise ... in any case, tell your boyfriend it will just take persistence and consistence, and Otto will love him - not the same way he loves you, but in a different, equally special way.

[Sarah B.]

Thanks, Karen! Having my boyfriend take him to puppygarten is a good idea. I'm really looking forward to him being old enough and hardy enough to go to puppy classes and to the dog park! He gets so happy around other dogs, and I feel bad depriving him of that socialization.

[Sarah B.]

I probably should have held off with my responses so I could have answered everything all at once :P! He doesn't really care too much about the squeaky aspect of his toys. I'm making him seem like a hard nut to crack with his disinterest in treats and squeaky toys! He tends to care more about the texture of his toys. He likes his really soft stuffed animals the most and he likes toys that bounce. My boyfriend is rarely able to tempt him into playing, though, no matter how much he likes the toy with me. We'll keep at it. I'm hoping that it's just how he's inclined to adjust to his new home, and once he gets comfortable he'll open up a bit towards the boyfriend. He is such a perfect little companion for me, and I feel bad that my boyfriend doesn't get to experience that too.

[IRescue452]

I wish you the best of luck. I agree that your boyfriend doing the puppy classes should help. Heelers are definately a one person dog though. Maybe your boyfriend gets frustrated when the puppy won't listen to him and it shows in his voice? Or sometimes trying too hard for too much time is a turn-off for some dogs. If after a few tries, the puppy won't walk further with him, he should say "ok" and give up for a few minutes and do something else to put a break in the tense situation. When the puppy stops on the sidewalk he could sit down facing away from the puppy and see if the puppy decides to come to him. Then without paying attention to the puppy, get up and start to walk again and see if he follows. Just a few things to try.