Espero Que............

[Bobbert]

I normally see the present subjunctive after “espero que,” but in the examples below, the present subjunctive doesn’t feel right since the action already happened.

Are these examples correct? If not, please correct them.

I hope the puppy didn't bark too much while I was gone
Espero que el cachorro/perrito no ladrara demasiado mientras yo no estuve

I hope the puppy didn't bother you too much
Espero que el cachorro/perrito no te molestara demasiado

Any corrections and clarifications and are appreciated.

[poli]

A native speaker will correct me if I'm wrong, but if you wish to use the past subjunctive in these cases, you would have to use the conditional case of esperar (esperaría),

[Bobbert]

Thanks, poli.

Your suggestion feels more like "I would hope.........," but I guess that could work too. It will take some getting used to since that's not the first thing that comes to my mind when I form sentences like this, but I can make that mental change when speaking.

I appreciate your input.

[AngelicaDeAlquezar]

Since the action already happened, you need the subjunctive "pretérito perfecto": "haya" + "participio"

I hope the puppy didn't bark too much while I was gone
Espero que el cachorro/perrito no haya ladrado demasiado mientras yo no estaba*.

*We use "estaba" because the event that was the barking happened during the time I was away. "Estuve" is a one-time event.

I hope the puppy didn't bother you too much
Espero que el cachorro/perrito no te haya molestado demasiado.


Side note: "Cachorro" is a very young dog, when they're little. If the animal has reached the adult size, we just say "perro", or "perrito" if it's small-sized.

[Bobbert]

Thank you, AngelicaDeAlquezar. That answers my question.