CockersOnline Forum

General => Introductions => Topic started by: Tammy on June 23, 2004, 09:21:14 AM

Title: Hi....
Post by: Tammy on June 23, 2004, 09:21:14 AM
Hi there,

Thought I better introduce myself. I registered several weeks ago now and have called upon advice from many people on this site already which has been very useful.

I am so glad I found this site, wish I had found it before we bought a puppy as I spent a fortune on various books before we got the little fella.

I have a 12 month old blue roan boy named Bosley, he's a stunner, and those eye's....well, he pretty much gets what he wants when he gives me that look.

When we looked into getting a dog I read that cockers are very loving and eager to please, I know not all dogs are them same but our Bosley is loving but only when he chooses, we feel highly honoured when he graces us with his love (well worth the wait)

We have recently took on a 7 month old blue roan resucue cocker named JJ, he's very very loving all the time, which is lovely but as you can imagine there's quite a lot of jealousy and we hare having lots of problems with fighting  :(  but we are trying to get through it (without injuries) Fingers crossed they will settle down and end up great chums...
I'm sure I will be calling upon you for help and advice again sometime soon....

Thanks for all your help so far  :D  

Love
Tammy, dave, Bosley and JJ
xx                    
Title: Hi....
Post by: lizzy on June 23, 2004, 09:55:01 AM
Hi Tammy,

Welcome to COL :D

Sorry to hear the boys are still fighting, I don't really no what else to suggest I just hope it sorts itself out for you!

Lizzy Molly and Evie                    
Title: Hi....
Post by: Silver Surfer (indiesnan) on June 23, 2004, 10:23:45 AM
(http://www.hondenhuys.nl/forumsmilies/zwaaipetje.gif)    Hi Tammy, welcome to col                    
Title: Hi....
Post by: TOPAZ BILLY on June 23, 2004, 10:31:54 AM
Hi Tammy,

Welcome to the forum :D  I have 4 year old Billy (Blue Roan) and 10 week old Abby (Black).

Abby and Billy play fight all the time and the noise can be horrific  :shock: but they never hurt each other in fact if Abby squeals Billy either backs down or starts to lick her, then Abby grabs his ears and the whole thing starts again :roll:  

Are you sure your boys are fighting or is it just this making lots of noise at one another.  I think the only advice I can give is give them lots of time together on neutral ground. I hope they settle down for you soon.

Michelle                    
Title: Hi....
Post by: Sheila on June 23, 2004, 10:42:43 AM
Welcome to COL.

We have a 9 year old lab and 11 week cocker.

The first week our lab spent a lot of time barking, growling and nipping at Lottie. It was purely the older dog putting the pup in her place, it only really happened when Lottie was biting her.
I hope that things settle down for you, it might be that the older dog is just trying to exert authority to keep the top dog spot.
I'm sure they will work it out and become great chums.                    
Title: Hi....
Post by: Andrea L on June 23, 2004, 11:35:20 AM
Hi Tammy, Welcome to COL. :D
 I have an 11 week old blue roan called Silas, my first cocker (very unlikely to be my last :wink: )
I'm sure your boys will settle down soon without sustaining any injury.Men you see, all mouth!! :roll:                    
Title: Hi....
Post by: Tammy on June 23, 2004, 02:24:14 PM
Thanks for your replies...

I think it is proper fighting, I was scared to stick my hand in yesterday so got a bowl of water and it stopped them, I have tried to keep them apart since then and put them together at 5-10 minute intervals but as soon as they see one another it gets gruesome :cry:  The fight was over a football initially so we have had to remove all toys from them now when they are together, I am really starting to worry that Bosley may just not accept another doggy in the house, which is quite strange really as I have made a point since we got him to socialize him with as many dogs as I can, he has never had any bad experiences with other dogs as all were friendly...

I'll just keep praying and hoping things will settle down..

xxx                    
Title: Hi....
Post by: Jane S on June 23, 2004, 03:53:45 PM
Hi Tammy

Welcome to COL :) How long have you had JJ? If it's only a short time (days), then there is still a chance things will settle but if the fighting has been going on for weeks, I'm sorry to say that it doesn't look good. The problem may be that your 2 are just too close in age - Bosley may well have accepted a much younger dog or a bitch the same age as himself but is finding it hard to accept another male of similar age (there is not a lot of difference between 7 & 12 months really). Then again it could just be a simple personality clash - just as we don't get on with everybody, it's the same for dogs (even well socialised ones). Hope things do get better for you but if not, have you thought about getting some one-2-one advice from an experienced trainer/behaviourist?

Jane                    
Title: Hi....
Post by: Sheila on June 23, 2004, 03:57:45 PM
Who seems to be the instigator of the fight?

Wondered if it was a jealousy thing with your older dog, or maybe something in the younger ones past that is upsetting him.                    
Title: Hi....
Post by: bluesmum on June 23, 2004, 04:05:45 PM
(http://www.smiliegenerator.de/s24/smilies-13042.png)

Hi Tammy,

I'm so sorry to hear to hear that your boys arnt getting on to well :(  I do hope all sorts itself out for you soon.

Would love to have a peek at those gorgeous boy's of your's- any chance of a piccie?(http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/4/4_1_203.gif)                    
Title: Hi....
Post by: Tammy on June 23, 2004, 05:52:10 PM
I've been in constant touch with the cocker rescue who have been fantastic, the lady I have been dealing with has been truly wonderful (have found a really nice cocker friend who I know will be there for us anytime) She has helped with a few tactics (bowl of water incident helped a treat) We think that as mentioned earlier in this thread that they just don't get on as we have tried everything in the book.

With regards to jealousy, well we really thought Bosley would be ok as he's not really all over us and as I said he doesn't always want a love (only on his terms) We have lots of dogs that visit and when I give them a fuss he seems to be fine, I suppose it was different when he realised JJ wasn't going home!!!

Not sure about his past really as don't have much information, except to say he came from a puppy farm,  he's a happy dog on his own and seemed it when we picked him up. I really believe it's just a clash of personalities. JJ did have some issues which we have sorted I think but nothing major. He used to jump on the dining table and grab food off the plate, just basic things that he should have been taught from an early age but it's clear the family just did not have the time. :cry:

I will try to put pictures on but I'm useless with that sort of thing, I'll have a go, will probably call on the hubby!!! :oops:

xx                    
Title: Hi....
Post by: Tammy on June 23, 2004, 06:42:50 PM
I'm really pleased with myself - Managed to suss it......Take a look in the Rogues Gallery to view my boy's!!


 :D  :D                    
Title: Hi....
Post by: bluesmum on June 23, 2004, 07:12:21 PM
Just had a look Tammy (http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/11/11_1_201.gif)  they are both soooooo handsome you must be very proud of them both                    
Title: Hi....
Post by: donna on June 23, 2004, 07:24:03 PM
Hi Tammy,

I’m new to COL too, and know where you’re coming from. I have 2 cockers (Riley, a male, almost 2 years old, and Shelly, a female 9 month old), and sometimes the fighting gets out of hand. Its usually when they are fighting over a raw hide or bone, or I decide to pet one and the other sees me and gets jealous.  

Also, be careful if they wear collars.  A few months ago, Riley somehow got caught on Shelly’s collar. She went after him and took a nip right over top his eye with her sharp puppy teeth, and it cost me almost $200 at the vet.  Since that incident, I really watch them, but for the most part, they get along and its play wrestling.  I usually say “time out” or “settle” in a stern voice when I think things are getting out of hand.

I will say that there is never a dull moment in my house with 2 dogs around.

Good luck.  

Donna, Riley & Shelly                    
Title: Hi....
Post by: Pipers Mummy on June 23, 2004, 09:47:41 PM
Hi Tammy and welcome to COL  :D  I don't think there is any more advice that can be offered to you in respect of their fighting - I'll be keeping my fingers crossed that the boys settle down for you soon.

I notice you are in Manchester - there is talk of a North West meet possibly in Blackpool sometime in July so look out for the dates and it would be good to meet you and the boys  :D


I have a 13 month old blue roan called Piper.

Louise                    
Title: Hi....
Post by: Tammy on June 24, 2004, 01:00:11 PM
Hi

Would love to meet up for North West Walk.

Sad news is that I think JJ is going to have to be re-homed :cry:  :cry: .   As I mentioned earlier I have been keeping in touch with Cocker Rescue and we think we have given it enough time, if there had only been a slight improvement then it would have given us something to work on, but it seems to be getting worse each day. I have to keep them apart and when we try to put them together (even on neutral ground) they are at each other straight away  :(

It goes against all my beliefs but I have to think of JJ and Bosley.

We think we may have found a home, I 'm going to meet them this weekend to suss them out so to speak.... I will be soooooo upset, it's amazing how attached you get so quickly. We have had JJ for over a month now and I just cannot put either dog threw it any longer...

I'm trying to make myself feel better by telling myself that at least he won't leave here with nothing, he's house trained now and he's not chewing anything he shouldn't, he's also learnt a few key words which helps a great deal.

XXX

 :cry:  :(  :cry:  :(  :cry:  :(  :cry:  :(  :cry:                    
Title: Hi....
Post by: Jane S on June 24, 2004, 01:16:08 PM
Sorry to hear this Tammy but you have made the right decision - dogs that feel they have to fight all the time are not happy dogs & I'm sure JJ will thrive in a new home, thanks to the good start you have given him. Don't feel guilty - you have done your best but it was sadly not meant to be.

Jane                    
Title: Hi....
Post by: Mary on June 24, 2004, 01:26:55 PM
I agree, don't beat yourself up over this Tammy.  I appreciate this will be very hard for you but I'm sure you'll make sure that JJ only goes to a loving home.  Both Bosley and JJ are going to be much happier for the seperation that's for sure :wink:                    
Title: Hi....
Post by: TOPAZ BILLY on June 24, 2004, 01:34:22 PM
Tammy,

A really hard decision for you I am sure :cry: but you are thinking of what is best for both dogs. Why don't you think of the time that JJ spent with you as foster care?? you managed to teach him the basics so that he can then go on to his forever home :D

Michelle                    
Title: Hi....
Post by: Silver Surfer (indiesnan) on June 24, 2004, 02:02:01 PM
Youve definatly made the right decision Tammy, if they were going to get along, i think you would have seen some progress by now.

Good luck to JJ in his new forever home.  :D I'm sure with the help and training you gave him, he will settle down realy quickly.


Hope to see you and Bosley on the North West walk.  :wink:                    
Title: Hi....
Post by: Tammy on June 24, 2004, 02:30:11 PM
Many thanks for your replies.. It's nice to know you agree, makes me feel even more that I have made the right decision..... It can be very difficult, especially as they cannot tell you how they feel  :(

I will keep you all posted...

Thanks again for your kind messages.

xxx                    
Title: Hi....
Post by: lizzy on June 24, 2004, 02:43:45 PM
Hi Tammy,

I really feel for you, I know how much you wanted it to work out, but you tried your best for JJ and I'm sure he'll end up with a lovely new home, don't be to hard on yourself.

Take care , Lizzy Molly and Evie :D                    
Title: Hi....
Post by: Sheila on June 24, 2004, 05:11:21 PM
You've had to make a very hard decision, but it definitely is the right one for the dogs.

It sounds as though you have made lots of progress with JJ and he will settle into a new home very quickly.

A very brave decision, well done.                    
Title: Hi....
Post by: Jaljen on June 26, 2004, 03:15:54 PM
It's essential that the top dog retains/reinforces his place in the hierarchy. If you intervene on behalf of the underdog it makes things worse. Top dog will have to redress the balance and the underdog will suffer more!

My small boy and older girl play quite aggressively. She pulls his ears, lips, jowls and is very noisy. When we got him as a pup she bit him sharply many times.

They play to their own rules. Don't worry. You have to leave it to them.  :)                    
Title: Hi....
Post by: LindaW on June 26, 2004, 06:22:16 PM
Welcome to COL Tammy and I do hope you can get your two boys sorted out eventually. :D