ginny attacking other dogs

[JaspersMum]

I spoke to a lady at a rescue place and she is of the oppinion that working cockers should not be in homes and feels she is a frustrated dog and this is how it is manifesting itself; she also said she gaurantees i will have the same problems with Bella my other working cocker.

I feel so bad about the situation I have cried loads today.

Sorry but I don't think that was particularly helpful at all and I would of hoped that first and foremost they would of said the same as the suggestions here about checking health and getting a GOOD behaviourist to check whats happened if this is a sudden change in character!

I have 4 dogs who are close in age, admittedly they are show type (just a 25% touch of worker in one), the gold is hyper and gobby but the black's not that far behind her! There have been lots of times I've questioned their colour for behaviour but actually, it's more often them sorting out a grumble of one of the little ones getting above their status or one of them not being well and not wanting someone in their face.  I do try to make sure that I split who's walking with who and what they are doing.  All 4 went out together today and the gobby 2 pestered Lou constantly and deserved a good telling off, he didn't but it could easily turn if it were allowed everyday and he never got a break and I wouldn't blame him in the slightest.

You need to find someone to come and observe before you do anything rash after you rule out any medical problem

[ginnygirl]

Thanks Jenny

[Nicola]

I agree about getting Ginny checked by a vet and enlisting the help of a good behaviourist/working dog trainer but you definitely need to do lots of individual walks and training - this is important anyway but also because a 13 month old working Cocker, a 6 month old working Cocker and a 9/10(?) month old Yorkie do not have the same exercise requirements. Exercise/training that's sufficient and stimulating enough for Ginny is going to be too much for the other two and if you tailor their exercise to the younger/smaller dogs then she's not getting her needs met.

Forget about the colour thing, I have a gold worker and a red one and behaviour is nothing to do with colour. I also think it sounds like Ginny is frustrated and she's now at an age where she's going to start showing it more. She needs proper, individual training and work put into her - as does Bella or you may well find yourself facing similar issues with her in 6 months time.

[ginnygirl]

Can anyone recommend a good working dog trainer in tyne & wear ?

[Nicola]

How far can you travel? I'll pm you.

[ginnygirl]

I am happy to travel an up to an hour or so to see someone who can give good advice, I'm in Gateshead. 

[joanna84]

Good luck Julie and Ginny    Your mind must be all over the place just now but I'm sure you will get over this hurdle with the right help.  I hope you find the best trainer/behaviourist 

[bracken]

Hope you get the help needed soon  I'm sure it will work out just fine. Please don't listen to the colour issue. I have a red that has some issues but its from her dreadful start in life not her colour. We have worked with her for nearly 5 yrs now and she has come on leaps and bounds  she now shares her home with 4 other cockers and is fab about it....most of the time 
Good luck 

[Helen]

I wouldn't let the vet that suggested Ginny's problem is 'colour' related examine her TBH - first step would be to change vets and hopefully find one that doesn't have a preconceived notion about gold cockers 

[Top Barks]

I wouldn't let the vet that suggested Ginny's problem is 'colour' related examine her TBH - first step would be to change vets and hopefully find one that doesn't have a preconceived notion about gold cockers 

Totally agree with this.
A lot of vets are either misinformed or uneducated when it comes to behaviour.

[ginnygirl]

I wouldn't let the vet that suggested Ginny's problem is 'colour' related examine her TBH - first step would be to change vets and hopefully find one that doesn't have a preconceived notion about gold cockers 

Hi Helen, we weren't discussing this particular problem when she mentioned colour although she did comment about temperament  relating to colour when we were talking about Ginny being more lively than Bella.....I take your point though; she owned a sprocker until it died recently to and loves cockers so I felt confident in her as a vet  

One of the first questions the woman I spoke to at the rescue asked, was about her colour.

[Crazy Cocker Gang]

One of the first questions the woman I spoke to at the rescue asked, was about her colour.

I would hope that was just them being curious rather than trying to say her colour is a factor 

[ginnygirl]

One of the first questions the woman I spoke to at the rescue asked, was about her colour.

I would hope that was just them being curious rather than trying to say her colour is a factor 

I felt it was as the questions were all around the behaviour, although she didnt make any comment when I told her the colour, I did mean to ask her directly if thats why she had asked but I was upset and wasn't properly focused

[Karma]

You've had great advice.

I just wanted to add that Honey was about 10 months when the problems we had started with her - it was a lot of work, as there were behaviour issues from events outside our control, combined with a health issue we weren't aware of until T-Touch picked it up (bad back), alongside a predominantly working cocker going through adolescence.

We HAVE got through it... as long as you're prepared to put in the work (with Ginny, and your younger dog) I'm sure you will too!!

[Black Red + Yellow]

Hope you manage to find someone who can help you out with Ginny. I too believe a vet visit to rule out any possible medical problem is your first port of call and then definitely a meet witha behaviourist.

I can only agree regarding the comments concerning her colour - dogs are the way they are because of many factors....breeding, training, early interractions, diet, hormones...list is endless....to say her colour is a possible problem is really quite irresponsible and nonsense!  My ginger cocker is as calm and cool as a cucumber

Good luck - a good owner is someone who wants to find the best solution for their dog - whatever that may be