Good evening all,
This is my first post here so please bear with me as it may be a little lengthy, if you can be bothered to read it and respond - I would so appreciate it.
My Husband and I have been looking to get a puppy for around 2 years, we have researched what breed would be best etc and finally settled on a golden cocker.
On the 23rd Dec we welcomed a 5 month puppy into our home - Watson. The couple who originally had him also took one of his sisters, they decided they couldn’t cope with him and they wanted to keep the female...
Let’s just say - the last few weeks have been a whirlwind.
I fully expected this to be hard word, but I didn’t realise how hard. There are times I really feel close to tears.
So let me start with the positives - Watson is now toilet trained I think , with no accidents for the last 3 days woohoo. He is great with other dogs, he wants to play and is a bit annoying probably for them but he’s friendly! He doesn’t show any resource guarding behaviour so far and he is very very good with my two children. He just loves cuddles and is quite a content little guy - sleeping and maybe even a little on the lazy side!
However, we have huge separation issues going on.
He has completely attached himself to my Husband. My husband doesn’t even tend to be the one giving attention etc but for whatever reason
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Watson cannot be without him.
If my Husband so much as moves an inch, the dog is straight up making sure he’s not
Leaving the room. If he does leave the room - oh boy. The howling. The whining. The barking. The scratching of doors and carpets. He goes CRAZY.
I could still be in the room with him - he still goes wild and will not settle. The neighbors actually complained 2 days ago and I’m so anxious about it now.
My husband is feeling very very overwhelmed.
He wants to go for a run etc but then I’m stuck home freaking out over the dog who is going crazy.
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On a separate note - training. Firstly, he refused to walk half of the time. He will bark and whine and try and climb up our legs while we are out , refusing to walk. Even with treats he won’t budge.
He has no recall - I am trying my best but he does not come to his name. If I am making his dinner etc he will come when called but any other time he just has no focus.
Lastly. I have two cats and he will not leave them alone. He chases them around the room sort of bouncing side to side whining and then crying , he’s had a few scratches from them but he still won’t leave rmenerb alone.
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Please, any advice is welcome. There are no training sessions as such open just now and the separation issue is really causing issues within the house.
Sorry if I sound negative , I adore him really I’m just at my wits end and it’s hard when husband is stressed and getting frustrated re the clinginess.
Photos attached!
https://ibb.co/j5jhc9hhttps://ibb.co/hX2kQvD