We had come home and Owen jumped off the bed and went to another room cowering. He was scared. Most of you know that Owen is not abused and is well taken care of but he acted like I would expect an abused dog to act. He had gotten into garbage and had been chewing on them (an empty chip bag).
We did not react but did what we usually do and tell him no then put him away from us on his bed and ignore him. For the non regulars Owen is not hit and is not yelled at. The most we will do is a sharp NO to him.
My question is why he was cowering and so scared? Am I dealing with his chewing up stuff incorrectly? Do dogs understand when they do a behavior that it will lead to them getting punished?