u/DrButterscotch

About a week ago our new’ish (8 month old) dachshund was underneath our reclining couch when my girlfriend went to sit it up. He got pinned between two bars and was choking. In a panic, I tried wrenching the bars apart before we took a chance and used the controller to relieve some of the pressure. I then ran out to my work truck and got a my electric ratchet, disassembled the bottom of the chair, and freed him from it. I took him in the shower with me and cried like a baby while I bathed him because he had poo’d and peed all over himself.

I don’t know if it was him being scared of being choked and mistaking that I was trying to help him or him being afraid of the ratchet but ever since he is terrified of me. He runs from me in the house and barks at me when I’m at home. Sometimes he’ll come up to me at night and lay on me while I sleep but generally he avoids me. It’s breaking my heart because I love this guy more than most things.

I’ve tried giving him treats. I’ve tried cuddling and loving on him. I’ve had my girlfriend hold him while I pet him. Anyone have any suggestions? I’m pretty devastated here.