Since I volunteer at DGCR, I hotfooted it off there today (not my usual day but on the pretext of doing some paperwork, which I did do but was just an excuse as I really wanted to meet this wee man). Guy is adorable and, even if he's had 3 homes, it doesn't show. Got loads of cocker kisses and he is so loving and merry with everyone. Anyway, took him to the paddock for half an hour to see what he remembers and he can: Sit, Wait, Down, Look at Me, Waits while you throw a dummy and fetches it on command. He heels off leash in a sloppy spaniel manner (about like Alfie). He recalls to the whistle (though I had trouble figuring this out as he recalls to just one long note and not short sharp ones). I couldn't check if he will Stop as I didn't know what the signal would be if his recall was one long note IYSWIM. He is easily distracted but fair play to Guy, the paddock is new to him and full of smells, toys and rabbit holes at the edges. He didn't seem to be interested in finding a hidden dummy but I think he just couldn't figure out what I wanted and I was guessing at his commands (and I'm fairly inept). Of course all that was in the paddock and for obvious reasons he cannot be allowed off-leash outside the kennels. So no telling what he's like out and about, or whether he's gunshy.
There has been mega interest in him as they rarely get cockers (I so wish some of the poor wee souls here could generate 1/100th of this interest) but the kennels are fantastic and holding out for the best possible home for him - breed experience, home all day, etc. I'm sure there's a COL-er somewhere near here?
