It’s hard to imagine life without pup. Our routine is now embedded and revolved around Zennor...it’s great!
Behaviour
Z rarely nips now. He may grasp our hand in his mouth then hold it but it is with gentle pressure and is soon released after a lick or two or three or four or five..... It is difficult to imagine what a terror he used to be. Yakers and pizzles help too!
Crate/Toilet Training
Squeaky clean for last two weeks. Routine, routine, routine.
Socialisation
Z is out and about often. Met some lambs that have not been taught to fear dogs yet, there was a nose to nose stand off. A Shetland pony at a fete, with which he was most disappointed that the animal did not want to chase him around.
Play/Training
We have now introduced a release phrase, “That’ll do” with a flick of the wrist in the direction of what’s interesting. We don’t leave our crate or walk through a door, eat our food, hunt or play without it. It has really helped Zennor learn to wait for direction and when he does it means fun! One phrase covers all manner of things. I don’t know why we did not bring it in sooner.
Less is more
Zennor does not want to stop. If there is something happening he wants to know what it is and how he can get involved. He fights tiredness and when he does the craziness appears. There is a marked difference in his behaviour when he has rested which we enforce through his routine. I don’t think he knows what tiredness is. I can see how people allow a pup to boil over thinking they are exercising pup. Of all the things we have done over the last eight weeks rest is without doubt the best behaviour moderator. Thus, making play/training more productive.
If anyone ever asked me what advice I had about training a cocker pup, I would say “Let pup sleep more than you are”. It’s so easy not to though....especially when “other people” are around...that rant is for another time
There is nothing more rewarding for pup than being picked up and praised after doing “his work” well...
