whining

[pamela]

Ben is 8yrs old now and getting a bit grumpy  Lately he has started to whine and sometimes even bark whenever I stop on a walk. Today I could barely hear what my friend was saying when I met her, Ben had been on a good walk so it wasn't as if he was needing exercised. He has always whined a little when I stopped but lately it is becoming a rather embarrassing problem, anyone any ideas how I can put a stop to it?

[Cazzie]

Id get him checked out with the vet. I had a springer here who did similar and he had problems with his ears  Maybe not that but was just an idea 

[Cob-Web]

I agree it is worth getting Ben checked out by a vet    This in not unusual behaviour for cockers in my experience, but any sudden change in behaviour warrants a health check to rule out a medical problem first 

If he gets a clean bill of health, then you could try "practising" stopping while you are out walking; reward him for quiet, calm behaviour by moving off again, and ignore the noise 

[pamela]

Thanks, he is going to the vet early next week, so I will mention checking his ears. He knows the wait command but it is as if every walk is his last and he has to keep going! I think some of it is just he is getting a bit grumpy in his old age