I need a rant.

[Mel]

I wish he would just leave me alone. I'm so tired today that when extending Tali's insurance I didn't mention his infected eye he was treated for. Now that's messed up! I'll be accused of fraud now. Don't know what to do.

Me and Tali need a holiday

[Sheepscheeks]

Be strong! Tell your brother to stop interfering or stay away (in the politest possible way). If he is any sort of brother to you, surely he can see how low you are at the moment. I don't know your circumstances but it sounds like you have a lot on your plate. I get really frustrated with my children - they are the reason we have Freddie but they obviously had a rose tinted view of what it would be like to have a puppy and the reality isn't what they were expecting. My youngest, especially, just won't listen when it comes to consistency and when Freddie does bite she runs off screeching which really helps (not!). She is 9. You need a friendly shoulder to cry on - I have a fantastic friend who always listens when I need a rant and helps me to see things rationally. That said, I have to confess that I do regret getting Freddie because, lovely as he is, stress levels in the house have hit the roof since he arrived. I know we will get through it but it's no fun at times with a puppy.

[AnnieA]

Awww Mel, sorry you're finding it tricky at the moment. 

Not much to add to everyone else's excellent advice, but it does sound as if Tali is getting over-stimulated by your brother too late in the day.  Ted is usually flaked out by about 8pm, and would be horrified if we tried to play with him in the evenings!    I really wouldn't be impressed if somebody wound him up into a frenzy and then complained if they got bitten. 

As for the insurance, I'd just call them back, explain you're exhausted and you forgot to tell them about the eye.  I'm sure it will be fine - they're probably used to talking to tired puppy Mummies. 

Hang on in there, and don't be so hard on yourself, you're doing a great job.

[Mel]

Pet Plan disaster averted. Thankfully.

Thank you all for your kind words. Yep brother has got to stop. I'm hoping he's eventually going to Cyprus soon to give everyone a break. Tali is a really lovely boy when he is calm and playing nicely. He sat with me on the bench in the grounds watching children playing yesterday and it was like watching a child in a sweet shop, he was so raring to get involved. He loves people and he has been sitting, giving paws and lying down since the first week home.

He's too precious to spoil.

[blueroanlover]

I can identify and agree with all this - that is, the stress and angst that is being suffered.

We have suffered with this as some of you know, since we got our pup in January. He is now nearly 5 months old and like others here, have tried our best with him, we really have. But he is unlike any dog we have ever raised.

A beautiful dog to look at; great to take out; learns things very quickly indeed, except not to bite us and not to constantly bark.  The vets behaviour referral centre local to us has told us he has a 'problem' - don't we know it.  Stress related anxiety issues.... possibly hereditary.  Although his pedigree is perfect. No inbreeding.

He is completely manic in the evenings and now is starting to look like he is actually going for us, not just play biting.

We too, are at our wits end and very, very unhappy and disappointed.  Thanks to those who have sent private messages to me following my earlier posts - we don't feel we can go on much longer... rehoming may be the only answer but to be honest, who would want a dog with these problems?

Even to have to think along those lines is distressing.  We have had several other dogs between us, over the years.... no problem bringing them up and training them whatsoever. But this one... never seen a pup like him and it is ruining what we thought would be an enjoyable and exciting time.

I don't see the point of having a dog if you cannot enjoy its puppyhood; that is exactly the time when we should be able to enjoy him and form a bond with him.  But we cannot get near him, especially in the evenings.

Moan over. Tomorrow is another day I suppose.  But possibly another day closer to having him rehomed. If that is possible.

[JennyBee]

I can identify and agree with all this - that is, the stress and angst that is being suffered.

We have suffered with this as some of you know, since we got our pup in January. He is now nearly 5 months old and like others here, have tried our best with him, we really have. But he is unlike any dog we have ever raised.

A beautiful dog to look at; great to take out; learns things very quickly indeed, except not to bite us and not to constantly bark.  The vets behaviour referral centre local to us has told us he has a 'problem' - don't we know it.  Stress related anxiety issues.... possibly hereditary.  Although his pedigree is perfect. No inbreeding.

He is completely manic in the evenings and now is starting to look like he is actually going for us, not just play biting.

We too, are at our wits end and very, very unhappy and disappointed.  Thanks to those who have sent private messages to me following my earlier posts - we don't feel we can go on much longer... rehoming may be the only answer but to be honest, who would want a dog with these problems?

Even to have to think along those lines is distressing.  We have had several other dogs between us, over the years.... no problem bringing them up and training them whatsoever. But this one... never seen a pup like him and it is ruining what we thought would be an enjoyable and exciting time.

I don't see the point of having a dog if you cannot enjoy its puppyhood; that is exactly the time when we should be able to enjoy him and form a bond with him.  But we cannot get near him, especially in the evenings.

Moan over. Tomorrow is another day I suppose.  But possibly another day closer to having him rehomed. If that is possible.

I am really really sorry you are still having problems, but please whatever you do, do not give up on your boy, if you feel you can no longer cope then there are some brilliant rescues out there who will take him - reading between the lines it seems you are considering something far worse than that . Apologies if I have read you wrong. I have seen dogs with far worse than his puppy behaviour being successfully rehomed . Really hope you manage to sort things out, I have to say Brodie was also the same as him but grew out of it into a lovely dog - but it took months of consistent work.

[blueroanlover]

I

I am really really sorry you are still having problems, but please whatever you do, do not give up on your boy, if you feel you can no longer cope then there are some brilliant rescues out there who will take him - reading between the lines it seems you are considering something far worse than that . Apologies if I have read you wrong. I have seen dogs with far worse than his puppy behaviour being successfully rehomed . Really hope you manage to sort things out, I have to say Brodie was also the same as him but grew out of it into a lovely dog - but it took months of consistent work.

oh NO!!!! Please don't misunderstand me - we are not thinking of anything worse than rehoming... never in a million years.  In fact we would only rehome to Cocker Rescue or someone we knew would give him a good home. Not just to anyone and certainly NOT any other 'solution'!

[JennyBee]

I

I am really really sorry you are still having problems, but please whatever you do, do not give up on your boy, if you feel you can no longer cope then there are some brilliant rescues out there who will take him - reading between the lines it seems you are considering something far worse than that . Apologies if I have read you wrong. I have seen dogs with far worse than his puppy behaviour being successfully rehomed . Really hope you manage to sort things out, I have to say Brodie was also the same as him but grew out of it into a lovely dog - but it took months of consistent work.

oh NO!!!! Please don't misunderstand me - we are not thinking of anything worse than rehoming... never in a million years.  In fact we would only rehome to Cocker Rescue or someone we knew would give him a good home. Not just to anyone and certainly NOT any other 'solution'!

Thank doG! You had me worried there . Really hope you manage to work things out - if not, people on here will be able to suggest good cocker rescues

[haygar]

Hiya

I posted something on here the other  day about daisy biting me all the time and it seems to be more me than my husband and ive tried everything too......

Ive found the last couple of days she has been much better and the only thing that works is to say NO BITE in a loud stern voice and walk out of the room.. only for a couple of secs and she follows me to the door and waits for me to come back in. if she goes for me again i repeat the process and stay out a little longer.. and so on and so on the other day i was out 10times haha but she gave up. My OH does this too and my mam etc so we all giving her the same messsage, BITING is not acceptable behaviour and all contact stops... last time i had a bite mark was Monday. She now seems to remember that im going to walk away if she bites and goes for her toys instead. She still does the occasional lunge and growl but i have found with daisy when she does this she is tired and its her way of fighting her sleep.. so i always put her in her crate and shes flat put within 5mins.

I hope this helps.. its hard work but im sure the pups will get better

Good luck
Hayey,Garry and Daisy 

[Karma]

haygar - glad to hear things are improving! 

blueroanlover - really sorry to hear things are still so stressful... I do hope that you can get through this stage of your pup's life... From what you are saying, could it be as simple as him being over-tired, as it's the evenings that are the worst?  Could you crate him, in the same room as you, just to try and get him to relax a little?

[blueroanlover]

HI Karma

No I don't think he is over tired... and we cannot crate him in the living room, it is not big enough, we are only in a small bungalow.

For instance, it takes 10-15 mins to get his lead on him during the day because he is biting that much - manic biting. Iknow he is excited at the prospect of going out, but any excuse to bite and he will do... and it is getting worse not better.

Thanks for your sympathy though, it's appreciated.   

[Maria n Dennis]

HI Karma

No I don't think he is over tired... and we cannot crate him in the living room, it is not big enough, we are only in a small bungalow.

For instance, it takes 10-15 mins to get his lead on him during the day because he is biting that much - manic biting. Iknow he is excited at the prospect of going out, but any excuse to bite and he will do... and it is getting worse not better.

Thanks for your sympathy though, it's appreciated.   

I had a nippy pup when he got excited about going out , i used to get his lead out and over my shoulders and completely ignore him for a minuite or two while i got myself sorted , then id get a treat ask him to sit , hold his collar give him his treat and clip his lead on  Now he still gets excited and jumps all over when he sees his lead out but i can get him to sit while he has his lead put on.

[Mel]

It's upsetting to hear of others with this lunging trait. Tali was in a darkened crate for a few hours today whilst I was out. I went to Ikea which is never the shortest trip. He has been less bitey this evening and not quite so hyper. I bought him a couple of the Ikea toy rabbits and he went ballistic for a bit over them. He's just such a loving lille man when he's not in crocodile mode.

It is a bit depressing when you find you are not really winning especially when you have trained pupst's before and done quite a reasonable job. He's fast asleep now which is good and at a more sensible time. Brother's 6 phone calls didn't get answered today as I was out.

I now have the dulcit tones of Gothy the hamster trying to escape!

[Annette]

I can understand that reading all the bitey puppy tale
 can make you depressed, but try to look at the bigger picture.

I don't think any of us with adult dogs have a problem with out-of-control biting any more.

It really IS possible to train them. I guess it must just take longer with cockers. I wonder if their bad character traits are just part and parcel of what makes them such wonderful dogs on the whole? (if you see what I mean!).

In all my years on COL Ican recall only a handful of pups being re-homed because of these tendancies.

In fact I think there have been more adoptions of such dogs who have then gone on to be delightful pets.

And I don't believe for one second that those owners are any better than you who are having problems just now. Stick in there, heed all the advice and be consistent. You WILL get there, I am sure.