My goodness. Did I write that post??!!
Had to chime in on this one.
I too had a Springer for 15 years. Got him at 8 weeks, he was a bit of a pain in the backside until he was about 6 months old and then was just the best dog anyone could've had for the next 14 and a half years. I was utterly devastated when we had to say goodbye. He was such a good boy-He never bit, whined, guarded, took things he shouldn't have or had a problem with anyone or anything.
The house was just too empty without him so we thought we would repeat the wonderful experience by getting another spaniel. Just a tad smaller for the camper van but a similar bouncy fun dog... or so we thought...
I did masses of research into wcs as a breed and everything you read says that they are energetic (no probs), biddable, easy to train and eager to please..(
!!!).
I did very little training with our Springer. I have spent hours and hours with the one and she is still a work in progress.
We have had really long on going biting, guarding issues, snappiness, arguing, flagrant disobedience, bogging off after pheasants, picking up everything she shouldn't have, being stroppy with other dogs, overprotective, chasing the cat, killing birds etc etc. It has been very hard work indeed.
Sounds like I don't like her very much but despite all this I would not be without her now. We have a bizarre relationship some days but like Henry's mum said-You can't help but have a really strong bond with this little bundle of hell thats demanding your attention! I do love her and although sometimes she has looked like she was trying to kill me, I think I am actually the centre of her little universe.
Things have improved massively and continue to do so. I do feel like we've turned a corner now that she is two (yeah, two). I think with this breed you either get a good one or a difficult one, although I'm sure all under about 9 months are going to be hard work.
I suppose my turning point was when I realised that she was just not like my other dog so I had to suck It up and get on with it or pass her on which I didn't think would be fair on her, as she is so attached to me (sometimes with her teeth..haha).
There are some very plus points though. Our dog is so affectionate. She adores all people-men, women and children. Everyone who meets her falls in love with her smoochy wiggly bummed greetings!
She is also very quiet. Hardly ever barks.
We do leave her sometimes and I never crate her. She is left in the kitchen/family room which is clear of dangers and she has a dog flap so she can go out to the loo. When she's on her own she doesn't do anything naughty. I think all her stealing/chewing is totally attention seeking. I caught her snuggled up with the cat in front of the wood burner the other day-
I wouldn't worry about the chewing etc at your dog's age-that's pretty standard for that age I would think. Leave the redecoration until it's a bit older. The bitter spray stuff you can get from the vets works. Spray when dog is out of the room.
The only thing that works to discipline our dog is to exclude her.
It took months of leaving the room before she stopped biting in the evening for instance.
Ours now has a big hour plus off lead walk (fields, woods, friends and ball games) in the morning and half an hour or so in the evening. In between these she's just chilled right out, snoozing on the Sofa etc so no problem leaving her if need be in between times.
On balance I have to say that our particular dog has been pretty hideous to start with but I do think she is going to be fine long term, and a dog is for life after all.
The first two years have been really hard work and not for the faint hearted. I have had to be quite brave at times but I am still currently winning! At the end of the day, she could live to maybe 17, so a couple of years hard work and training and then 15 years of a good dog...doesn't seem too bad in the long run. We were just spoiled by our first dog.
Sorry for the long and Frank essay but I think you need to know that it is possible it could take quite a while before you get on top of things. I do think ours was particularly bad, so my story is probably worst case scenario but my little shadow is snuggled on my lap as I write this and has just spent the afternoon with our 3 yr old granddaughter.
If you can tough it out through that first bit (especially the first year!) then things will start to feel much better and should keep improving month on month as long as you can keep up some reinforcing work.
Best of luck with your pooch.