Cocker Specific Discussion > General Cocker Spaniel Discussion
Bailey The Rescued Cocker
Jaysmumagain:
Lovely update :luv:
ejp:
I think he is doing great, it is so rewarding to see them try new things. It does take time, but that itself is a luxury for him, as he now gets to make his own choices. it's like a game of join the dots for him, one day they will all line up and he will make the connection. A lovely update, thank you.
theshrew:
Sorry another long wait for an update, work is crazy but at least I’m at home in these crazy times.
Bailey - Well it’s like he’s 2 different dogs at the moment tbh. When he’s happy he’s getting to be like a normal happy cocker to a fashion. That soon turns back into I’m scared I’ve been treated badly before mode. Frustrating as this is its getting better as the days go by.
Tbh his progress 90% is due to Missy, without her I doubt we would be anywhere other than owning another dog. He absolutely adores her and puts 100% faith in whatever she does.
The challenge - he is wary of humans, not as much as he was he’s slowly coming around. Something as simple as teaching a dog to sit has been a huge challenge. The normal raise the hand and the bum sits doesn’t work, he runs off presumably something bad had happened in the past.
Well he’s eventually done it yesterday 😍 Such a small thing is a huge achievement for us, although I suspect it will take a lot longer for it to sink in. A huge step.
bizzylizzy:
That‘s a lovely update, how wonderful that Bailey and Missy have bonded so well, I‘m sure that makes a huge difference.
I can well imagine that the conventional signals we use to train the basic commands aren’t always effective for a dog that‘s had a lot of negative experiences previously because of they way they interpret our body language. It must be a huge learning curve for you too but it sounds as if you‘re getting there.... :clapping: and of course your little helper‘s doing a grand job! :luv:
All the best, looking forward to the next update!
Mari:
Just discovered this thread. Sounds like Bailey is in the right home! I think you (and your little helper) are doing a wonderful job, so much progress already. He reminds me a little of my own dog when I first got her, almost half-feral. His interest in you and your patience with him sounds like a promising combination. It will be so much fun to follow your story!
Just a random idea, but a target stick could help with training if he gets worried about hands. Could be easier to teach him to follow a target than hands if he has negative experiences with the latter. Well done for getting a sit, I can't imagine the challenge of training a dog that has had 5 years to learn all the wrong lessons. Big win for you :clapping:
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