Why does my dog act scared when I get home?

[princess]

My dog is sooo scared when I get home, and he has gotten in to the trash or something he knows hes not allowed to get in to, but he acts like I beat him and like goes and hides, But I have NEVER rasied my hand to him.. I don't understand I have had him sinces he was a 8 weeks old. When he does that I just point at his bed and he goes and lays on it and shakes really bad, What can I do to make him so hes not like that anymore.. hes not scared after like 10 mints. But I feel soo bad. and when I bring people home who doesn't know the dogs it makes me look like I beat him when I never have. I don't understand

[Cathy P]

If all you do is send your puppy to go lay down when you come home, you are teaching him to fear when you get home. Puppies have no association for what they did (get into the trash 5 minutes after you left) to when you get home to be mad about it. He is reacting to your displeasure, not what he did "bad".Most puppies respond better to positive reinforcement. Be happy to see him when you get home, call his name in a soft gentle tone. Show him affection. Suck it up when he has done something you don't like and just clean up the mess and forget about it. Unless you catch him in the act, there is no justification to punishing him. Good luck.

[guavagirl1]

Instead of pointing at his bed and telling him to lie down (which can be a sign of punishment) you should pet him and give him and treat when you walk in the door. This is a sign of acceptance.

[wonder girl]

guilt complex?

[luva_gal_18]

definitely crate training my husky is 14 weeks and i have had since 9 weeks and he is doing great...but the other day when mu husband went in the kitchen he freaked out and strted barking like he did not know who it was lol it was hilarious..

[SayWhat YouNeed ToSay]

ANSWER: Crate training.

[Poodlemum99]

Agree totally with SayWhatYouNeedToSay - crate training works well. When your puppy has been crated while you are away, he can't get up to any mischief and you will be happy with him. He will then associate your arrival home with being released from his crate and praised, patted (and maybe given a treat)