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my puppy doesnt like me..or is afraid of me

19 10:59:57

Question
I moved from GA to CA and my fiancee bought me a 10 week old golden retriever 3 days after I got there. I was very sad about moving and the puppy was supposed to cheer me up. Well, the puppy doesnt like me. She follows me almost everywhere, but she does not kiss me and come to me and wag her tail when she sees me. She does this with my fiancee and everyone else. Im soo sad. I am home with her all day and night except for running errands. She is 16 weeks old now and still does not care fo me. I feed her, walk her, take her to puppy classes and I never get a tail wag or a kiss. What can I do? Do you think she doesnt like me??Please help me...

Answer
That is strange.  At 10 weeks, it still should have been receptive to new people and and accepting ones different from the previous ones.  6 weeks would be plenty of time for her to adjust.  Try these exercises:  

''Elevation for small puppies:  Sit on the floor and gently put your hands around your pup's middle, below his front legs, and lift him up.  He is facing you.  Hold him for 15 seconds.  Repeat until he no longer struggles.  If he is past 10-12 weeks, lift his front feet off the ground, but don't pick him up.  

Cradling for small puppies:  Hold your puppy gently on his back, as you would cradle a small baby.  If he struggles, hold him firmly until he quiets for 10-15 seconds.  With larger pups, you can do this as your sit on the floor, with your pup between your legs.

Quiet lying down:  Place your pup on the floor on his side, with all 4 legs pointing away from you.  Use your hands on his neck/shoulder area and middle, to hold him in this position.  When he is quiet, praise him.  Lengthen the time that you keep him quietly in this position.  When he accepts this position well, handle his paws and muzzle, while keeping him quiet.''

The quotes mean this isn't my original work.  It is copied from my Puppy Raising Manual.  I have long used these or minor variations of them, and they are very effective.  You may want to give him a belly rub while he is on his back too.  Helps bonding.  There is a big difference between him rolling over and demanding a belly rub, and you choosing a time to roll him over and rub his belly.  The latter cements your place as pack leader.  

As I am preparing this answer, I am still puzzled about why.  It is quite common for puppies that stay in a kennel until after they are 12 weeks old to fear men or children if they didn't enconter them before.  I guess she could have had a caretaker that resembled you, but repelled all her affection.  Well I hope the exercises help.  Avoid letting it stress you.  She will sense your stress  and think you are rejecting her.