hi I have a 3 year old working cocker, she has always been sensitive so I have been really careful how I go about things. she was doing well with most aspects of training except heal work which has always been an issue. she goes to agility and gundog training which is going great. my really big issue which has got worse over the last few months is her being almost rude with bad manners. she will jump up me on walks and bark if I stop to talk to anyone despite the fact that she might of already been out an hour or so, bark when im preparing her food and basically shows me little respect at the moment. she will also sometimes stop on street walks and refuse to go on. she is very clingy and whiney. she is fit and healthy. I know I need to deal with these issues, I have had a behaviourist out but wondered if anyone could give me some advice. I love my dog but at the moment she is doing her best to rule the roost, she is stubborn and very sensitive. thanks.
Hello there, and a very warm welcome to the forum, sounds like you've got your hands full. Dogs have no concept of respect, not as humans understand this concept (or being rude in human terms). Dogs also don't want to rule the roost or be in charge. This isn't what motivates dogs at all. What motivates dogs is rewards (or punishment but that has big downsides). A dog barking when you stop to talk to people is a bit tricky, because it's hard not to pay any attention to the dog. It's also hard not to walk on (to remove the barking dog from the person). Attention and walking on reward the dog for barking. So the only thing you can do once the dog is barking is nothing until the dog stops barking. Then walk on (rewarding the dog with activity - probably very important for a cocker spaniel). Ditto the food. If the dog barks, stop, do nothing (alternatively, don't let the dog watch you prepare food). And so on... Best of luck with it.
To add to Julie s good advice, cockers are often intensely affectionate dogs, and prone to expressing their feelings. But can be taught patience and silence by carefully reinforcing those qualities. You may find this helpful http://totallygundogs.com/my-cocker-is-bonkers/. And welcome to the forum!
Hi Clair, just wanted to say hello and welcome to the forum. I'm rubbish at the training so nothing helpful to offer right now. I would have thought using a clicker to mark quiet behaviour might help. jac
Welcome Claire I have a Clumber Spaniel and while not quite as busy as a Cocker I recognise many of the traits you describe. May I ask what the behaviourist suggested?
Hi and welcome to the forum. Do you practice just sitting next to you and not doing anything when you are out walking? I have five spaniels and it is an exercise I do more often than anything else. Especially my cocker is finding this hard. Sitting still and switching off does not come naturally to him, plus he craves physical contact by either standing up and putting his paws on my, leaning against me or sitting on my foot. All of those are common cocker traits. They do say that you don't own a cocker but you wear a cocker.
thanks for your replies. the behaviourist basically said I should not allow her to invade my space, she should go and relax in her bed in a separate room and only come to me for attention, play, training when I ask her too. I also shouldn't allow her to sit on my feet. its very hard as she is such a sweet dog. in the evenings she just lays on the rug and sleeps, no problem but how far do you go with this type of training. she is a pet therefore snoozing in the same room shouldn't be an issue. as for her jumping up when out on walks I should give her a gentle push and firm off. its very confusing, I want to sort these issues. she is very clingy. but I would like to say she is a fab dog wouldn't be without her, she got the first 2 gundog tests passed and won a cup last year for most improved gundog. I think a lot of the issues are due to the fact that she hates being still and not working when out and her frustration builds causing jumping, barking. thanks all.
I can't imagine there is anything wrong with letting any dog lie on your feet - that sounds like bonkers advice to me! I had two Cavalier Spaniels and one of the things I loved about them was the snuggly contact. .
Jeez, what kind of training is that? Of course my dog can ask for attention (he doesn't always get it) but he is free to wander over to my desk to ask if there is a walk going, and if not how about a quick cuddle then.....and he can sit on my feet anytime he wants. Dogs are dogs, they are a member of your family, not some kind of robot to be shut in a cupboard until you want them to do the cleaning! Sure, they have to behave reasonably, but.....agree with Mags, all sounds a tad bonkers.
My two dogs are lying at my feet as I write, the one is lying on my foot. @JulieT's advice is excellent and will work, plus the others good advice.
I think you can see from @heidrun post that several of the things the behaviourist suggested work against the typical Cocker behaviours. I too struggle to see why your dog shouldn't sit on your feet. It's important we help them learn to relax in their own space but you can't force them to. You need to find a positive approach, do you do any mat training? Also Kay Lawrence (and others) teach dogs to settle when out by standing on the dogs lead (attached to a collar) so theres slight pressure on the back of the neck, the dog can comfortably stand but not move about. Then the handler just waits for the dog to settle, when it does they take up the lead and move about again. I think @JulieT has used this approach and may be able to elaborate.
Yes, all the spaniels at training learn to settle (on a flat collar) in the same way as all the other dogs. Many cockers (and springers) are, somewhat embarrassingly, much better at it than my Labrador. He's not the world's calmest dog. You basically have a cue (foot on lead) and that means "absolutely nothing is going to happen". When the dog settles, you reward with movement, activity.
Oh and by the way walking along with my Clumber is like taking a walk with Tigger as he boings along beside me. I love him
Yes - and working dogs are not robots either - and should never be expected to be. When they are working they are working with their natural instincts, not against them - and the rest of the time they are dogs! .
