My dog hunkers down when I open the door?

Question

For about a week now, my walker coon hound has hunkered down at the door when I go to let her in from outside. Sometimes, she won't even come in. From what my mom said, when she came out of her bathroom, she heard my dad yell something at her, then she scrambled for my room. We both think he hit her, because for some reason he absolutely hates her. Also, she has been abused and hit by a car before we got her a few years ago.

Do you think he hit her? What should I do?

Answer 1

Hunkering down is a sign of submission. I would talk to your dad. Even if he didn't hit her, the yelling could have been enough to really put her in a bad mental state, especially if she's been abused. Dogs that have been abused are extremely sensitive to tone of voice and body language. If something is not done, she may become so frightened that she develops fear aggression.

Answer 2

even if your dad didn't hit her, verbal abuse and threatening looks can also cause great trauma in a dog. why does your dad hate her? maybe you could get them together in a controlled situation, maybe have him participate more in playing and training her. perhaps that'll get them to make a better relationship

Answer 3

How the "blazing heck" would we know what, if anything, dad did to the dog.



Ask dad if he hit the dog; if he says no, then let it go.