I have been reading Rosie's story with great interest and comparing her to Poppy. Dear little Pops has settled into the house routing brilliantly, she is full of confidence with me and Maggie, but still extremely cautious of everyone and everything else. She is so happy in her home, rushing about, stealing socks, bringing dirty bits of wood inside for a chew and all the other wicked cocker things they do. However, a walk is out of the question, I have got her a soft harness that fits her and am having to work at getting her to wear it (she freezes until its taken off). The next step will be to get her out in it into the fields. She has certainly never been a walk in all her 5 years, nor has she been socialized. Although she loves Maggie, I would have to be very careful indeed introducing to other dogs. Her house training is going well with the backing of puppy pads.
A knowledgable lady said to me on here when I first had Pop, that these shut down dogs were like autistic children, permanently anxious and completely thrown by anything out of the ordinary. That is so true. I think I know that it will be ages before she emerges from her cocoon completely, if ever. She is much loved how she is and I don't think she is half as bothered about not going for a walk as I am
