Is it cocker rage or something else

[cazza]

Glad there seems to be no health problems - hope all goes well  with the behaviourist and that they use positive methonds to help you and the dogs settle

[Hurtwood Dogs]

Glad there seems to be no health problems - hope all goes well  with the behaviourist and that they use positive methonds to help you and the dogs settle

Ditto, well done on finding someone, hope it all goes well and he's back to his normal self soon

[GillSarge]

I'm pleased nothing is wrong health wise.  I'm pretty sure that they are just getting use to the heat, and just need familarity around them.   Once the visitors have gone, he will probably settle down.  With our eldest dog, if he's upset or someone else has upset him,  he will come up to me and growl to let me know he's not happy.  The paddling pool sounds a good idea, Will they not get in the main pool with you if you get in first?  Flint would leap on us if we dared to get into a pool with him.  They probably don't like the pool coz the water isn't stagnant!! the cockers fav. 

What a great kennel maid, that was so kind of her. I hope to move abroad one day, and hope to meed ppl who will care for our dogs like she did for yours.

[LurcherGirl]

Good news ash has been given a clean bill of health  blood test showed nothing glaringly obvious . So booked a behavioural therapist referred by vet , She is coming round tonight . So we will see hope we can sort it a snormally he's such a character , cuddles and hugs all the time .

I'm glad to hear that and I hope the behaviourist can help. Just wanted to mention though, comprehensive thyroid testing takes a lot longer than a few hours to return results... It is still something I would get done. But good luck in sorting your boy out!

Vera

[sharonmansfield]

Fantastic news that's something you don't have to worry about then, They probably just need a bit of time to settle. It sounds like they had a great life here in the UK and what a lovely story about the kennel maid what a sweet thing to do. They are 2 spoiled pups, like you I don't have kids, by choice, so my dogs are my family. I am suprised they wont go in the pool but like someone has already said the water is too clean, mine like dirty muddy puddles to paddle in!!! I call Bella swamp puppy!!
Good luck and I hope the behaviourist can sort something out for you and your boys. Keep us updated as I would love hear how you get on.

[cazza shearer]

Hi

Had the behaviourist in last night and god I thought I had gone back to school  , I got told off . No she was cool , she saw how they react with us and its quite frightening . 

Everytime Coco or Ash paw me ( I respond by cuddling and stroking them ) This is a No No as he has control .
I give them no boundaries as I let them on the furniture and into every room in the house ( they apparently need rules )
I don't and can't set rules , I just wanted them to be happy ( I feel bad that they have had such a bad start in life so far ) apparently I am making their life more miserable by not giving them rules ...................................

I must admit somethings she said made sense others makes me think god am I allowed to stroke him or not ! Think I will have to try get a book on behaviour and see how that goes , The bit she did on how to protect us when he goes off on one without shouting or using force was good , The bit about putting him in a room on his own as punishment didn't go down well with my husband or me ( cant do it even if it will help him ) .

I will see how they are when the visitors go tomorrow .................I think you are right he is irritable coz the heat and lack of sleep .
Due to the heat and unable to walk him I am going to put him on my treadmill ( slowly ) to see how he gets on .

By the way tried the tuna and yogurt ice lollies ( I mixed them together , dint know if right or not ) but they loved them . Coco took 13 mins to eat Ash well 2 gulps really .

CJ

[sharonmansfield]

I had to laugh at the no boundaries, my dogs get away with murder too, I watched Dog Whisperer and Caesar was astounded that this woman let the dogs get on her bed uninvited - I let them do that too, I let them get on the furniture as and when they please in fact I cant think of anything I dont let them do!!!!
I guess we are not alone and there must be more than just the 2 of us that allow this!!!! I dont want a regimented life though my dogs behave well enough most of the time as do yours from what you have said other than this current problem which I am sure will go away on its own.

Take care
Sharon

[Nicola]

this current problem which I am sure will go away on its own.

I don't agree with this - how do you expect your dogs to know how to behave if you don't teach them? It's confusing enough for dogs living in our human world without us not helping them by giving them some structure in their lives. While my dogs are allowed on the furniture and into all the rooms in the house I do think it is important for dogs to have structure, rules and boundaries. My lot know what they are and aren't allowed to do - for instance they are not allowed to mither me (or anyone else) for food or attention. Of course they can come over if they want to see me and they get plenty of attention and affection but if they started whinging or pawing at me demanding it they would be ignored until they settled down. They are also allowed on the furniture but if I ask them not to jump on or to get off it they do it straight away. I don't believe in 'dominance' rubbish but I do want my dogs to trust and respect me; as I said how can you expect your dog to know how to behave if you don't teach them and give them (fair) boundaries? I expect good manners from them and I respect them (as dogs, not little furry people) in return. I don't have kids but I imagine it's the same with them, it's the children who are not given ground rules and taught how to behave by their parents who run amok because they just don't know what is appropriate behaviour. Making your dog happy does not mean pandering to their every whim

[Steelygirl]

this current problem which I am sure will go away on its own.

I don't agree with this - how do you expect your dogs to know how to behave if you don't teach them? It's confusing enough for dogs living in our human world without us not helping them by giving them some structure in their lives. While my dogs are allowed on the furniture and into all the rooms in the house I do think it is important for dogs to have structure, rules and boundaries. My lot know what they are and aren't allowed to do - for instance they are not allowed to mither me (or anyone else) for food or attention. Of course they can come over if they want to see me and they get plenty of attention and affection but if they started whinging or pawing at me demanding it they would be ignored until they settled down. They are also allowed on the furniture but if I ask them not to jump on or to get off it they do it straight away. I don't believe in 'dominance' rubbish but I do want my dogs to trust and respect me; as I said how can you expect your dog to know how to behave if you don't teach them and give them (fair) boundaries? I expect good manners from them and I respect them (as dogs, not little furry people) in return. I don't have kids but I imagine it's the same with them, it's the children who are not given ground rules and taught how to behave by their parents who run amok because they just don't know what is appropriate behaviour. Making your dog happy does not mean pandering to their every whim

Completely agree with this, i'm sure with some boundaries, your dogs will still be very happy - after all, you love and care for them x

[Helen]

this current problem which I am sure will go away on its own.

I don't agree with this - how do you expect your dogs to know how to behave if you don't teach them? It's confusing enough for dogs living in our human world without us not helping them by giving them some structure in their lives. While my dogs are allowed on the furniture and into all the rooms in the house I do think it is important for dogs to have structure, rules and boundaries. My lot know what they are and aren't allowed to do - for instance they are not allowed to mither me (or anyone else) for food or attention. Of course they can come over if they want to see me and they get plenty of attention and affection but if they started whinging or pawing at me demanding it they would be ignored until they settled down. They are also allowed on the furniture but if I ask them not to jump on or to get off it they do it straight away. I don't believe in 'dominance' rubbish but I do want my dogs to trust and respect me; as I said how can you expect your dog to know how to behave if you don't teach them and give them (fair) boundaries? I expect good manners from them and I respect them (as dogs, not little furry people) in return. I don't have kids but I imagine it's the same with them, it's the children who are not given ground rules and taught how to behave by their parents who run amok because they just don't know what is appropriate behaviour. Making your dog happy does not mean pandering to their every whim

Completely agree with this, i'm sure with some boundaries, your dogs will still be very happy - after all, you love and care for them x

agree with both of these comments 

what will you do if it seems that they can't get used to the heat and the new environment? 

[Hurtwood Dogs]

this current problem which I am sure will go away on its own.

I don't agree with this - how do you expect your dogs to know how to behave if you don't teach them? It's confusing enough for dogs living in our human world without us not helping them by giving them some structure in their lives. While my dogs are allowed on the furniture and into all the rooms in the house I do think it is important for dogs to have structure, rules and boundaries. My lot know what they are and aren't allowed to do - for instance they are not allowed to mither me (or anyone else) for food or attention. Of course they can come over if they want to see me and they get plenty of attention and affection but if they started whinging or pawing at me demanding it they would be ignored until they settled down. They are also allowed on the furniture but if I ask them not to jump on or to get off it they do it straight away. I don't believe in 'dominance' rubbish but I do want my dogs to trust and respect me; as I said how can you expect your dog to know how to behave if you don't teach them and give them (fair) boundaries? I expect good manners from them and I respect them (as dogs, not little furry people) in return. I don't have kids but I imagine it's the same with them, it's the children who are not given ground rules and taught how to behave by their parents who run amok because they just don't know what is appropriate behaviour. Making your dog happy does not mean pandering to their every whim

Completely agree with this, i'm sure with some boundaries, your dogs will still be very happy - after all, you love and care for them x

agree with both of these comments 

what will you do if it seems that they can't get used to the heat and the new environment? 

Me too, I don't have black and white 'rules' with my dogs but the way I behave with them lets them know when it's ok for them to behave in certain ways. This doesn't mean I'm their pack leader or I dominate them but they do have respect for me because I've been kind but consistent with them and I have a lot of respect for them also. How you live and do things day to day can help them understand what you want from them.

For example generally, I don't greet them when I come into the house. Initially I say hi but by and large ignore them until I'm ready to say hello - so put shopping away, get kids sorted etc and as a result, I can come through the door from being out and the dogs remain calm. They have an area of the house where they are allowed at the moment (I have a baby just now and we live in a very rural area so the house gets absolutely disgusting if they are allowed everywhere after a walk and I don't have the time to constantly clean up after them) but they can go into other bits of the house if they are clean - this may happen by them 'asking me' if if they can come into the front room for example and if I say no, they accept that or we may invite them in etc. It's not a like a list of can and can't do's but just them behaving nicely and knowing where the boundaries are and accepting that if you say no then you mean it. Like Nic said, both my dogs know they can't beg for food or affection - they can ask but if we say no they accept that and leave us alone or I may tell them at the start of a meal to go to their beds and they stay there but this doesn't meant that occasionally they don't get the odd treat from the table. Having 'rules' will help you get this kind of relationship initially and once that's in place then you can relax things a little.

My dogs are not my kids, they are dogs. I want to respect their needs and how they will thrive best and work well with us as a family. Like kids however, and because of their role in the family, they do need boundaries and to know that they can rely on you for direction and consistency and are happiest in that situation.

Hope that helps explain it a little?

Hannah xx

[sharonmansfield]

Hi All,
I think I did not explain myself properly as I came across like its a free for all in my house and thats just not the case or really what I meant,  I do allow them to get away with murder in that yes they come on the furniture and they jump on the bed and sleep on the bed but they do know to get down when asked, to lie down and be quiet when asked not to beg for food etc. They do have boundarys and know what they can and cannot do. I know of people with dogs who don't allow them past the kitchen where as mine are allowed in the living room when we are in and the bedroom when we are in. The have allowed and not allowed areas for when we are out.
How can I explain this - what I meant was I don't want to be on their case all of the time, if they want to sleep on the sofa whilst I watch the tv thats fine I don't want to have to say right you can come up now I like for them to just come up and lie against me. The sam eif I go to bed to read a book they can come and snuggle with me thats fine, however when told off they get off. I totally agree they have to rules but I know of people who are quite strict and thats fine if that works for them but I have a more relaxed approach with them,  if there were no rules it would be chaos and I would be sitting on the floor and they would permanently have the sofa!!!!! and the bed for that matter
I don't want kids so they are not child substitutes they are dogs and treated as such, they have manners and if we take them to a beer garden or cafe they know to lie down quietly by our feet.
Hope I have explained myself a bit better and that you don't think I am an unfit parent to my girlies. They get away with murder yes but in a positive well mannered way!!

[Karma]

I think that's the situation in a lot of households!! 
As long as rules are consistent and applied by everyone it really doesn't matter what they are (IMO) - dogs need to know where they stand and if that is that they can get on the sofa, but must get off when asked, that is fine (as long as it is working for everyone!). 

[Hurtwood Dogs]

Sorry I did misunderstand you then. In that case, it does sound very much like the behaviourist hasn't really looked into what's causing their problems and hasn't really advised you very well...

Have things calmed down at all the last few days?

[sharonmansfield]

Thanks Karma, I think you have hit it in on the head - consistency.