Anyone want a puppy?

[Frugal Mule]

Just kidding 

But, honestly, today has been nothing short of a nightmare with Sweep 

I think I've developed a twitch. He had had two baths before mid-day, having decided to dig up the flower bed for the second time this week and gotten extremely muddy on his walk. He's been more bitey than he's been in a long time. It was like going back to the beginning, growling in the garden and being quite aggressive when my mum took him away from the fern he was tearing up.

He pulled like a mad thing on the lead, having made progress recently he decided that today it was especially urgent that he reach the park immediately. He ran up to see another dog, but unfortunately the owner also had a very little girl with her who Sweep proceeded to jump up on and made her cry, much to my horror. I had to run as fast as I could to get to him and put him on the lead. Fortunately the mum was really nice about it and said that her dog was really hard work when it was a puppy.

We then took him for the first time to see our previous groomer (who groomed our last dog for 14 years) who has a bit of a thing about cocker spaniels and thinks they all have rage syndrome. Especially because he's golden and a boy, according to her  That made me feel even more rubbish, especially when he barked at her which is unusual for him.

He also had two accidents in the house this morning. My mum and I are exhausted.

Is this the start of the teenage phase? He's nearly six months.

He's usually very good and has been getting better all the time, but today... It's a good thing he looks so cute, that's all I can say!

[elaine.e]

You have my sympathy. I think he may have turned into a Kevin

Louis (now 8 months) started his teenage phase at about 6 months with extra digging activities and a few housetraining lapses, but only a few really bad days like you've had today.

PS. Don't feel bad because your groomer is misinformed about Cocker Spaniels. That's his/her problem. Maybe you should think of looking for a groomer who understands Cockers.

[HeatherandBenjy]

Sorry you've had a bad day, there are some days when they just really seem to push all the buttons at once aren't there. 

Sorry to hear that your groomer is so misinformed too, its not nice having to justify having a golden cocker is it ?

However, if it all gets too much, you're more than welcome to send Sweep here! 

[ElaineH]

Sorry you've had such a tough time today! You know it's just a blip but blips can loom large some days 

Just think of the last line of Gone With The Wind - "Tomorrow is another day!" 

[Frugal Mule]

Thank you for the support It's nice to be able tell people who I know will understand how demanding they can be.

Today was hard but I know that if we can get through the bad days we are often rewarded with times when he is wonderful for days at a stretch.

I am putting it down to hormones or perhaps his teeth are bothering him. I got down on the floor and had a good game with him tonight which seems to have worn him out.

I just had a thought... two days ago we changed his Royal Canin food from mini to medium puppy, not realizing he probably should have been on this size all along. Could that have affected his hyperactivity levels?

[bracken]

Having a younster is very had work at times, we have 6 dogs are can honestly say each of my cockers has had difficult days that on occassions have bought me to tears with frustration.   

But tomorrow is another day and waking up fresh seeing their little faces makes me happy  until one is naughty again 

Kevin stage could be looming  be kind and firm he will be just perfect 

Wine helps alot 

[Frugal Mule]

Six dogs? You have my ultimate respect, I don't know how you do it!

We have already had so much joy out of having him, I know he's worth every bit of effort - even on day's like today. I also have faith that he is going to turn into a really special adult in time. You say wine helps? That sounds like an excellent idea - I'll give him some right away

[Mrs B]

Thank goodness there are others out there that are going through what we seem to be going through!!  Our Cinders in only 14 weeks old and we seem to have 'off' days now!  Sometimes butter wouldn't melt and she is the best cocker in the world (well to me she is!).  Other times it is like she has become possessed by the devil and will do anything and everything to get me to shout at her!

Sometimes I go to bed feeling completely exhausted and like I could cry!  Last night we went out for our second walk (she had her injections later than usual) and she was quite happy to be let off the lead along the canal snuffling along and enjoying her freedom.  When it come to going back into the estate, she proceeded to run off (much to my sister's amunsement).  I was trying to run after her in my wellies and she thought it was a game!  When I told my husband last night his comment was ' didn't you take her whistle with you?'.  I couldn't answer that one!!  Will defo make sure I take it with me tonight though!!!!!!  When I took her out on Monday she was fantastic and promptly coming back to me when I shouted her.  Obviously yesterday was a different day!!!

Cockers - dontcha just love em!!!!

[MaggieR]

Sounds like you've had a rough old day! Bless 'em - from cutie to Kevin in under 30 seconds some times... Maggie still has days like this and by the sounds of it I'm not expecting that to change.  I always remember being in the park with her one day, she wouldn't listen to a thing I was saying, not interested in any treats was just in a "I wanna have fun so nur!" mode. I tried nicely for about 20 minutes to get her to come to me and in the end, much to the amusement of the dog owners I was with, grumbled "Don't make me talk to you like Darth Vader!!!!!" and she was back in about 5 seconds!    Love them to pieces but they do push it 

[Frugal Mule]

Just a quick update: Today he has been an angel! He obviously woke up on the right side of his stinky little bed this morning and has been back to his former lovely nature ever since 

To top it off, thanks to TritonX's recommendation (in another puppy section thread) we had a perfect walk with no pulling due to his new Easy Walk harness! What a relief!
And what would I do without this forum? Thanks everyone