Stinking insects, dog thinks I did it

[punchy]

Pretty sure my shelter dog’s former owners used a shock collar to discipline. Meanwhile, it’s been a good year for yellow jackets and other stinging insects, which dog and I have encountered once a week or so when out taking hikes or walks. When she gets stung, she bolts in the direction of me or the car or home and does some really over-the-top submissive behavior to me. So I think she thinks that I zapped her. I’m avoiding all areas she got stung, but they are really all over this year—she got stung this morning on the side of the freaking road while walking down the street.

Anybody have any idea how to get her to stop associated stinging insect pain with me?

[S1969]

I’m not sure that behavior necessarily means she thinks you did it. My dogs have been stung before and they always run back to me and are upset but I don’t think they think I was the cause. Often they are very sure that they got stung and are obviously concerned with flying insects after that. And once they get stung on the nose after investigating a bee, they definitely figure it out.

But - that said - even if she did think it was you, I’m not sure there is any way to undo that. Other than for her to somehow realize that it was the bee. Not sure how to do that safely though.

I would just praise her and not make a big deal about it. “Good girl, let’s go”, and keep moving.

[punchy]

Thanks. I’m probably anthromophizing. She won’t go anywhere other than back to the car, so we go as fast as we can back to the car and she only calms down when she jumps in the back.

[S1969]

I had honey bee hives and my dogs were always fascinated because everything smelled like honey. Until I came back from the hives with my veil on and there was a bee on it (unknown to me at the time.) I took the veil off and somehow flung the bee right at my dog and it landed right on his nose and stung him.

After that the sight of the veil made him go back in the house.

Talk about feeling guilty!