4 month old spaniel cries when going out

[quintes]

hi all,

we have a 4 month old, we got him at 6 weeks. People say wait until 8 weeks but that advice is a bit late..

So the problem is that when we take him down to the river or the park he whinges and cries as he walks / runs. When we are home he is a normal fella mostly.

we always end up having people giving us advice as we walk or telling us to pick him up and love him. I dont know, i think it is excitement or nervous behaviour. Thing is, today we took him to the vet and the lady behind the counter heard his whinging and said what dog is it, 'oh a spaniel, they're wusses'. and then she said after more crying that he needs to go to puppy classes. We felt really quite on display in a bad way.

It is really embarrassing for me as I am not sure of the reason and I need to help him.

What do you think I can do?

ta

[maddy74]

Ahhhh, im no expert but I am sure someone will be along to offer some sound advice soon.

However Willow (13 months) does cry in the car when she knows where she is going, ie her fave walk, or makes a weird noise like crying when she chases the ball sometimes. Puppy classes are great for socialising anyway so deffo go to some if you can. Yes it is too late now realising pups should leave there mum and litter mates at 6 weeks however in that last 2 weeks from 6 to 8 weeks they learn an awful lot and if your pup has missed out on this then they have more to learn if that makes sense.

[maddy74]

PS have you taken in him your arms to get used to new sights and sounds first, if not this might be worth a try.

[Karma]

6 weeks was rather young to leave Mum, and it is relevent as it means you will have some catching up to do in terms of him socialising with other dogs... but you are right that you can't change what is past, and there's no point dwelling on it.

Puppy classes would be a good idea - it will give him a chance to be near other dogs in a calm environment, and give you some tools for basic training.  Make sure you find a class which uses positive methods.

Some training schools also run socialisation sessions - I would recommend these above any vet-run puppy parties or suchlike... some vets may be very good, but most have no expertise in behaviour and puppy parties run by people who don't know what they are doing can do more harm than good.

It's hard to advise on a forum - the noises you describe could either be anxiety or excitement - spaniels can be quite vocal in their enthusiasm!!!

What opportunities does he get to mix with sociable dogs off lead?  How is he during this?  What other socialisation has he done - in these early weeks it's really important that they experience as many situations as possible to equip them for future life!

[quintes]

Hi guys

Thanks for the replies. I have tried picking him up but he still whines when we're out. I think he's already at level 10 then. At the park he socializes with other dogs but thats about it.. I'll have to get him into some classes.

thank you

[Sarah.H]

We got a cocker pup at 6 weeks, no excuses other than we were ignorant and didn't realise until we read his KC certificate and worked the dates out  .

He was always a slightly nervous and very vocal dog, which in hindsight I think was due to a combination of his breeding and leaving Mum so early. When we took him to the vets he would groan and whine his head off, people would always be very sympathetic as they thought he was seriously ill  .

[KellyT]

Our 8 year old cocker will cry and whine when she's out - usually when she's had enough and wants to go home! 

She'll start fine and usually after about an hour she gets fed up and wants to go home, she then does this running towards you and then running away as if to say 'come on hurry up, home is this way' but she never looks sad/scared etc and generally is wagging her tail 

So I guess it depends on what the crying sounds like and how the pup is acting when crying; crouching low to the ground, ears very low / felt to head, tail between legs - or does the pup look 'happy' and confident despite the whining/crying ? 

[black taz]

can you distract him with a ball or treat, and catch the moment he isnt whining and treat?

[cfordham2710]

Skyes always been a whinger!!  Its down to excitment.  When we put her in the car, she whines and whinges like mad cos she knows we are going somewhere.  On the way home she doesn't make a squeak.  Try the puppy classes, and don't stop taking him out.  Ignore the people who make nasty comments.  Most of the spaniels I know are quite vocal in all aspects of their lives.  When I've been out, I come home and Skye likes to "tell me" what shes been doing which is very funny!!   

[dipsydoodlenoodle]

My puppy is a bit of a ' winger' too (winger in loose terms as he doesn't  make a sound but he acts wingy).
What we do when he applies the breaks and wants to go home (normally after about 2 mins) is pick him up and carry him for a but and try again. Normally he hurries home as he needs a wee.and hasn't figured he can do it when he's out...so you have to stand ages until he has a wee (If you are lucky) then he'll be fine again.