Do you think they understand when you accidentally hurt them?

[Krystee]

I felt so bad earlier. Tobie was being all crazy and running around and as I was walking through the living room he ran ran in front of me and I kicked him in his face. He yelped and I immediately picked him up and started giving him kisses and telling him I was sorry. Do you think dogs understand when you do something on accident? I sure hope so, because I would hate to think that he thinks mommy hurt him on purpose

[JenniferLeigh]

I've done the same thing :S

Lexi didn't seem to mind after being showered with attention.

[shannonroselive]

This has crossed my mind too. Whenever I've accidentally stepped on Curly's toes or otherwise hurt her, she'll yelp but then come right to me for some love. I always pick her up and apologize profusely, give lots of hugs n kisses, and usually a little treat. She always seems to know, just like my kids, that mommy will fix the owie.

[nneessaa]

I don't think they do understand it was an accident, but obviously they will forget about it and still love you. On the first day I went to visit my dog (before he was mine), he walked over to me and hit his head on the coffee table. After that he was terrified of me since he thought I had hit him on the head.. He loves me now and probably has no recollection of that.

[capt_noonie]

I'm sorry, but I LOL when I read the "kicked in the face" part. I hope he's ok! Yes, I do think they know the diff between accidental and on purpose. I've stepped on Uni on accident before, and after I apologize and pet her she wags her tail.

[Mier]

Charlie is ALWAYS gets under everyones feet, and hes been accidentally kicked or stepped on a few times but he always forgives us as soon as we pick him up and tell him were sorry! I'm sure they forget all about it as soon as your giving them kisses!

[swill]

hey,
by accident (of course) i feel like i've practically "punted" my poor baby a few times in her life. But they DEFINATELY pick up on YOUR emotions and if you do exactly what you said- i'm sure he forgot about it in no time and as someone else wrote- just loved the hugs and kisses after.
It happens occasionally- no matter how hard you try- but i would still feel awful each time.

But yes, i believe yorkies, at least mine was so attuned to me that she definately knew when i was upset- just in general- and if i acidentally got in her way/ she got in my way... it was a accident. Obviously they don't know "accident" - but if your demenor is always loveing- yes...they will love you unconditinally back...despite a few inevitable mistakes!
all the best. hope your baby is ok!

[Krystee]

Yea he's okay... I think it startled him more than anything. When I put him back down on the ground he acted like it didn't phase him much but I just feel sooooo bad. Oh well, I hope all the hugs and kisses made up for it

[mscat]

I do believe our little ones pick up on our emotions. I have a new baby who is very small. She is always under foot. I have accidently stepped on her little paws a couple times, and then shut the bathroom door once on her paw, I wanted to die I gave her lots of cuddles and love , and checked her over so many times to make sure she was ok. Miley just licked my face , and it felt like she was telling me, that she was ok. I am always telling my son to be careful, be careful around Miley and Suzi, and I was the one who accidently has gotten her, gosh what a klutz. Miley loves to play and follows me everywhere! She's as cute as a button, but so little and quiet, I have to be on guard, 24/7 watching for her.
Yes, I do believe she knows I do not mean it. She gets down and just plays like nothing ever had happened.

[roxies_mom]

I can relate to this. I must tell Roxie I'm sorry a couple of times a day. It's not like she gets hurt but I just feel so bad for the least little thing. It's those eyes looking up at you. I've finished my yogurt or whatever before and forgot to give her a taste and that even makes me feel bad lol!! So I go and get her a treat. I especially forget to share when she's so quiet and waiting so patiently. I feel I should always reward her for that.

[mojo]

Yes, I think it hurts our feelings more than it hurts theirs. I always feel like such a butt when I do that and then go overboard with the love and attention

[rebeccag]

I definitely think they know when it's an accident especially if you picked him right up. My puppies already know to come running to me when my son starts to aggravate them. They know I'll protect them. They are smarter than you'd think.

[hannahallen]

Dogs are so intuitive. I think that they understand a lot more than many give them credit for. They might not actually understand that you are 'apologizing' to them, but I'm sure they can tell that you are sad after just doing that to them.

[MeganS]

I don't know that they understand the difference between accident/on purpose and what it is to apologize. But I definitely think they can sense our emotions and they can smell our body changes - I think a dog can tell the difference if you are angry or if you're sorry for something that happened.

Hugs make everything better.

[cynsir]

I believe that when we do something accidentally to our babies that we hurt more than they do. I remember when I accidentally booted Max the first time, he just looked at me like he was saying good move mom. I hurriedly picked him up and gave him kisses and loves. Every once in a while thereafter, I swear he would purposely get in my way and I'd feel terrible and give kisses UNTIL I realized that the little s--t was doing it on purpose. What a character he was and I wish he were he to do it again.