CockersOnline Forum
Cocker Specific Discussion => Puppies => Topic started by: Oliver21508 on October 27, 2008, 09:44:39 AM
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Hiya
We are at the end of our tether with Oliver. If we can't get this bit sorted, we are rehoming him.
When he's with the rabbits, he starts barking at them. I can't just ignore him, so I go in and tell him off, which directs the barking onto me. I can't ignore this either as the barking upsets the rabbits. So I have to catch him and put him into his crate, but he thinks all the chasing is great fun and a game. I don't know what else to do.
I don't know what to do. He's too dominant and strong for us, and I think he'll be better with a stronger family.
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Do you have pet rabbits?
I trained all the dogs we fostered to ignore the rabbit by walking past the hutch with the lead. I'd do some obedience training by the hutch with lots of favourite treats to keep their attention on me (I found toys got them a bit excited). The moment they start pulling and whining at the rabbit I quickly walked a away from the hutch- end of treats end of play. They soon got the idea that it was more fun to concentrate on me than the rabbits. I don't know if this is the correct way- but it worked for me.
I'd definitely start by keeping himn calm whilst they're in the hutch first though as if the run away from him whilst in the garden it'll just become a game of chase.
Hope this helps
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but he thinks all the chasing is great fun and a game. I don't know what else to do.
His a Gundog that what Gundogs do and he sounds like he just wants to play :luv:
His still a puppy and still has plenty of time to be trained you have been working so hard with him it would be a shame if you gave up on Ollie
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When I stand next to the rabbits with a treat, he ignores them and concentrates on me, but if I don't have a treat, he goes for the rabbits. (the rabbits are contained in a run).
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If you have lots of rabbits try just having one in the run at a time-less distractions. It is possible it just does take time. Try not to become disheartened!
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if your struggling and still not able to do this yourself look for someone that has a rabbit pen that can help you, its basic gundog training nothing is shot but it will help you resolve his interest in them, you could also try a behaviourist but please make sure they are registered and able to assist you with this specific problem.
All my dogs are worked on rabbit so they know when to leave and when not to but hare is another thing and much harder to train for but the rabbit pen training really does help.
With the weimaraner pups that I had recently one of them has gone into a home with pet rabbits that live in the house and wonder around freely he had has specific training and at 6 months is now very good with them in the house and knows the difference between pet and hunting rabbits.
Give your pup a chance in some respects he is doing his job, he's telling you that he has found prey and showing you where it is, under normal circumstances he'd be praised for this as its doing the job he was bred for which is putting food on your table. certainly no reason to rehome a perfectly good dog that is just in need of a little training.
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It would be such a shame to give up now - both my dogs including my previous dog Indie were socialised with my rabbits from the very beginning, it also helped that my rabbits weren't scared of dogs, so didn't run away.
Below is a picture of my previous dog Indie when she was about 4 months getting to know Honey Bunny
http://i361.photobucket.com/albums/oo60/littlebudha/019.jpg
Roly my youngest pup regularly gets into Honey's hutch and nicks her food, never pays her the slightest bit of notice.
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That is the cutest pic.
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I have sent three emails to behaviourists, so I'll see what comes back from that.
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I'm catching up but how old is oliver??
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5 months
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ooooo he's a babe but ideal for training and he'll love it if he's keen, I don't work all mine but they all have basic gundog training using dummies (no guns or dead things involved) there are class around for most people locally.
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Such a shame! Reuben is a nightmare with our cat, every time she goes to come in he chases her, when she does pluck up the courage to come in hes sat on her, and she has nowhere to jump as she cant move. My partner has said it is cruel and to see if we can rehome her (she is very much like a stray cat, who comes in to be fed and have a doze). Hes ripped wallpaper off to get at her when shes sat on the stairs too. Im hoping it gets better as he gets older. :-\
As for the barking at the guinea pigs, as soon as he starts, i let him see me at the door, then slightly shut it - he does come running back in - so now i just reward him when he looks in the hutch but doesnt bark. Not sure if its the right thing to do?
Hope you get some help. :luv:
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To be completely honest, with all the many problems you've posted about, it may be the best thing for him. :-\
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Please don't give up - he should get there eventually, he is young and everything is so new and exciting to him.
When I first got my rabbits they were a year old, Fenn 1.5 yr. At first she was absolutely fascinated and wouldn't leave them alone every time she went into the garden. She is a gundog and used to bringing rabbits to my OH so I guess them being so near she could not understand why she wasn't supposed to get them for us. The rabbits, even though used to cats, used to thump about in their hutch and run (she used to run round and round the run ::)) I really thought I would have to rehome the rabbits. However over a few weeks, of telling Fenn 'No' and distracting her she now is fine with them, takes no notice of them in the hutch or run, again just sniffs them if they run about in the garden or when they come in the house, which is something at first I never thought would happen. If she starts getting a little boistersous I again, just say 'No' and she will leave them alone, but the rabbits are now used to her too and just sit there if she comes over and has a sniff. I don't fully trust Fenn if I'm not about, she probably would be fine, but I just wouldn't take the risk and leave them all together but they can learn to live in harmony and him being a baby you probably have more chance teaching him that, in my opinon, than say older dogs as they sometimes get set in their ways.
She still brings rabbits back for OH but seems to know that Ben and Jerry are off limits ;).
It does take time, but please stick with it....he should get the message...may take a bit longer because of his age but it can be done....and the novelty will wear off once he knows to leave them be.
I hope it works out x
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I totally sympathise with you!
My new pup Dex wants to chase my house bun Hazel constantly. I have tried the treats and leave but the cheeky little monkey would make like to chase her then promptly sit in front of me with a 'I left her now I'd like my treat' look on his face, then go and do it again. But now I can't risk them being together now as his biting has got VERY hard! and he did start to snap his jaws at her. Luckily Hazel wasn't too worried about being pursued.
Now we let Haze have her time out when Dex is asleep on one of our laps and so far so good, even if he wakes and sees her he accepts that he can't go down. It's not ideal but I'm sure that with time he will get used to her.
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I know it's very frustrating, and at times they will drive you mad, but you must keep in mind that he is still a baby puppy, that none of this behaviour is necessarily permanent. It's all part of the learning, for him and for you. He's not being dominant, his barking is at his excitement about the rabbits, and when he redirects the barking at you it's to say "But mum, rabbits are soooo exciting, don't you know?" :005: And a lot of it is just puppy exuberance, and this will mellow in time
By now you know that telling him off does no good (but sometimes it does make us feel better for a moment ::) :005:) You have to redirect his attention and energy, whether by doing a quick obedience routine in front of the rabbits, or throwing a ball, or doing something he is good at so he can be successful.
Don't tell him what he can't do without showing him what he can do. ;)
Do you have a brave rabbit that you could hold so he could sniff it and satisfy his curiosity?
Best of luck to you :-*
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My rabbit is not the slightest bit phased by my dogs...but then George and Linus were around before her, so she grew up with them. She does freak out a bit when a new dog approaches her, but she soon gets used to them. So perhaps the rabbits will cope sooner than Oliver ;)
When I brought Luke home in June he barked constantly at the rabbit...now he just goes up to her and looks...and he's 15 years old, so I've managed to train him ...so you should be able to train Oliver..if not then send him here :005:
Time and patience ..it will happen ;)
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To be completely honest, with all the many problems you've posted about, it may be the best thing for him. :-\
I totally agree.
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To be fair to Ollie - none of his behaviour sounds particularly dominant, or strong - just normal puppy behaviour - which not everyone is prepared for ;)
When he's with the rabbits, he starts barking at them. I can't just ignore him, so I go in and tell him off, which directs the barking onto me. I can't ignore this either as the barking upsets the rabbits. So I have to catch him and put him into his crate, but he thinks all the chasing is great fun and a game. I don't know what else to do.
Why is allowed unsupervised access to the rabbits, even when they are in their run, if his barking upsets them? Keep them separate unless someone is closely supervising, and then he won''t bark, you won't have to tell him off, and he won't bark at you.
Why are you putting him in his crate when he barks? It should be safe place, not a punishment; walk off and leave him if you aren't happy with his behaviour - or distract him and reward him when he does something positive - chasing him will be the best game ever for him, so he will "bark" to make you chase him over and over again ;)
Ollie needs do not sound excessive for a 5 month old pup - I do realise it is probably easier on you as a family to give him up if you think "he" is the problem ph34r but it is a lot harder to rehome a dog that has been labelled "trouble" than it is one who is perfectly normal but for which you were not fully prepared and are unable to commit to :-\
If you do decide to rehome him, then a reputable rescue will be able to assess him and find a suitable new home; but to be honest, any cocker pup (even a show cocker) would have presented you with most of the same issues that you consider to be a "problem". :-\
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To be fair to Ollie - none of his behaviour sounds particularly dominant, or strong - just normal puppy behaviour - which not everyone is prepared for ;)
When he's with the rabbits, he starts barking at them. I can't just ignore him, so I go in and tell him off, which directs the barking onto me. I can't ignore this either as the barking upsets the rabbits. So I have to catch him and put him into his crate, but he thinks all the chasing is great fun and a game. I don't know what else to do.
Why is allowed unsupervised access to the rabbits, even when they are in their run, if his barking upsets them? Keep them separate unless someone is closely supervising, and then he won''t bark, you won't have to tell him off, and he won't bark at you.
Why are you putting him in his crate when he barks? It should be safe place, not a punishment; walk off and leave him if you aren't happy with his behaviour - or distract him and reward him when he does something positive - chasing him will be the best game ever for him, so he will "bark" to make you chase him over and over again ;)
Ollie needs do not sound excessive for a 5 month old pup - I do realise it is probably easier on you as a family to give him up if you think "he" is the problem ph34r but it is a lot harder to rehome a dog that has been labelled "trouble" than it is one who is perfectly normal but for which you were not fully prepared and are unable to commit to :-\
If you do decide to rehome him, then a reputable rescue will be able to assess him and find a suitable new home; but to be honest, any cocker pup (even a show cocker) would have presented you with most of the same issues that you consider to be a "problem". :-\
I agree with all of this. ;) Particularly about using a reputable rescue if you do decide to rehome him.
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Would the breeder that you got him from take him back? If not I agree with the above.
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To be fair to Ollie - none of his behaviour sounds particularly dominant, or strong - just normal puppy behaviour - which not everyone is prepared for ;)
When he's with the rabbits, he starts barking at them. I can't just ignore him, so I go in and tell him off, which directs the barking onto me. I can't ignore this either as the barking upsets the rabbits. So I have to catch him and put him into his crate, but he thinks all the chasing is great fun and a game. I don't know what else to do.
Why is allowed unsupervised access to the rabbits, even when they are in their run, if his barking upsets them? Keep them separate unless someone is closely supervising, and then he won''t bark, you won't have to tell him off, and he won't bark at you.
Why are you putting him in his crate when he barks? It should be safe place, not a punishment; walk off and leave him if you aren't happy with his behaviour - or distract him and reward him when he does something positive - chasing him will be the best game ever for him, so he will "bark" to make you chase him over and over again ;)
Ollie needs do not sound excessive for a 5 month old pup - I do realise it is probably easier on you as a family to give him up if you think "he" is the problem ph34r but it is a lot harder to rehome a dog that has been labelled "trouble" than it is one who is perfectly normal but for which you were not fully prepared and are unable to commit to :-\
If you do decide to rehome him, then a reputable rescue will be able to assess him and find a suitable new home; but to be honest, any cocker pup (even a show cocker) would have presented you with most of the same issues that you consider to be a "problem". :-\
I agree with all of this. ;) Particularly about using a reputable rescue if you do decide to rehome him.
And me.
If you was going to Re-Home him i would tell your breeder they might have him back and do it for you.
When we sell puppies we always ask them to let us know if they cant keep the dog,we would take the dog back and re-home
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And me.
If you was going to Re-Home him i would tell your breeder they might have him back and do it for you.
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A lot of breeders have contracts - know mine does. If for any reason I can't keep the dogs then she has to be contacted first and has to agree to any re-homing.
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I agree with this, I drew contracts up when my litter when to their new homes that I should be contacted if for ANY reason they could no longer keep the pup regardless of age, your first port of call would be to the breeder, I hope you can sort this situation out, bringing up a puppy is no easy task, its such a shame at times you have had to do this alone, I wish you every best wish and remember its Oliver's needs that need to be considered as hard as that may be :luv:
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To be fair to Ollie - none of his behaviour sounds particularly dominant, or strong - just normal puppy behaviour - which not everyone is prepared for ;)
When he's with the rabbits, he starts barking at them. I can't just ignore him, so I go in and tell him off, which directs the barking onto me. I can't ignore this either as the barking upsets the rabbits. So I have to catch him and put him into his crate, but he thinks all the chasing is great fun and a game. I don't know what else to do.
Why is allowed unsupervised access to the rabbits, even when they are in their run, if his barking upsets them? Keep them separate unless someone is closely supervising, and then he won''t bark, you won't have to tell him off, and he won't bark at you.
Why are you putting him in his crate when he barks? It should be safe place, not a punishment; walk off and leave him if you aren't happy with his behaviour - or distract him and reward him when he does something positive - chasing him will be the best game ever for him, so he will "bark" to make you chase him over and over again ;)
Ollie needs do not sound excessive for a 5 month old pup - I do realise it is probably easier on you as a family to give him up if you think "he" is the problem ph34r but it is a lot harder to rehome a dog that has been labelled "trouble" than it is one who is perfectly normal but for which you were not fully prepared and are unable to commit to :-\
If you do decide to rehome him, then a reputable rescue will be able to assess him and find a suitable new home; but to be honest, any cocker pup (even a show cocker) would have presented you with most of the same issues that you consider to be a "problem". :-\
Just to echo what Rachael has said, she has given you loads of sound advice.....Ollie sounds like a normal puppy not a troubled dog....please contact your breeder or a reputable rescue if you do decide to rehome!
Janey
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I am a rehoming co-ordinator for NESSR .... and about 3 months ago I got a call from a family ... their 2 year old springer had eaten the pet rabbit .... the dog had grown up with the rabbit .... and they were left unsupervised .... and one day the family came into the garden to find the dog tucking into the remains of the rabbit. Horrified they rang the rescue to rehome the dog ... who was by all accounts a fabulous pet other than the rabbit eating.
I was sympathetic to a point .. terrible to lose a pet in those circumstances but at the end of the day I had to be honest with them. What did they expect, spaniels are bred for hunting and retrievin game and will given half a chance eat a rabbit. A few days later they rang back and decided to keep the dog it was not his fault.
My three spaniels ignore my ferrets but my terrier camps outside their hutch and run and barks at them ... they are not the least bit fussed.
Oliver sounds like a typical puppy who is doing the job he is bred for if you don't want him barking at the rabbits then keep him away from them and redirect his instincts to a different hunting activity.
I have not read any other posts about Oliver so if you are determined to rehome him go via his breeder or a good rescue that will make sure he doesn't end up in a puppy farm or with a home that will not be able to cope with normal spaniel behaviour.
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To be honest, I'm at a loss as to what to post. :-\
You've been through so much to get your family on board with what Ollie needs, you've been given so much good advice here about how to go about training, as well as how to get your family on board, and your suggesting giving up on him because he is yet again acting like the puppy he is... :'(
As others have said, he is not "too dominant" he just doesn't know where he stands. He shouldn't be allowed near the rabbits unsupervised (Honey was only allowed in the garden unsupervised from about the age of 10 months), as he is too young to have any self control - they are very exciting and this causes him to bark.
How have you gone about socialising him to the rabbits?? He should have met them (up close and personal) for very short bursts right from the word go, then they wouldn't be exciting...
I have lost count of the number of people who have said that telling a dog off doesn't help if he doesn't know what is expected of him - show him how you want him to behave and reward this.
As others have said, if you do feel that, as a family you cannot give Ollie the time, patience and consistency he needs, then please contact your breeder first, and then a reputable rescue - and please be honest with them that Ollie is not a problem dog, just a pup that you as a family were not prepared for.
It sounds to me like you all still have too high expectations as to how he should behave (and are expecting him to know what you want without showing him).
At the minute, from Ollies point of view, the Rabbits get you very wound up and cross (he won't necessarily realise you are cross because he is barking).... :-\
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To be fair to Ollie - none of his behaviour sounds particularly dominant, or strong - just normal puppy behaviour - which not everyone is prepared for ;)
When he's with the rabbits, he starts barking at them. I can't just ignore him, so I go in and tell him off, which directs the barking onto me. I can't ignore this either as the barking upsets the rabbits. So I have to catch him and put him into his crate, but he thinks all the chasing is great fun and a game. I don't know what else to do.
Why is allowed unsupervised access to the rabbits, even when they are in their run, if his barking upsets them? Keep them separate unless someone is closely supervising, and then he won''t bark, you won't have to tell him off, and he won't bark at you.
Why are you putting him in his crate when he barks? It should be safe place, not a punishment; walk off and leave him if you aren't happy with his behaviour - or distract him and reward him when he does something positive - chasing him will be the best game ever for him, so he will "bark" to make you chase him over and over again ;)
Ollie needs do not sound excessive for a 5 month old pup - I do realise it is probably easier on you as a family to give him up if you think "he" is the problem ph34r but it is a lot harder to rehome a dog that has been labelled "trouble" than it is one who is perfectly normal but for which you were not fully prepared and are unable to commit to :-\
If you do decide to rehome him, then a reputable rescue will be able to assess him and find a suitable new home; but to be honest, any cocker pup (even a show cocker) would have presented you with most of the same issues that you consider to be a "problem". :-\
Just to echo what Rachael has said, she has given you loads of sound advice.....Ollie sounds like a normal puppy not a troubled dog....please contact your breeder or a reputable rescue if you do decide to rehome!
Janey
Agree with this too - you have been given loads of good advice. Ollie does not sound any different to how Coco was or probably most of the other pups people have posted about on here :shades: It took me months to stop Coco from chasing my alpacas and harrassing them at every chance but she was not doing anything out of the ordinary - it was annoying and stressful but I just had to work hard to overcome it. Cockers are gundogs - why leave him with access to rabbits if you cannot understand what gundogs are bred to do?? How many dogs would not be overexcited if put in front of a run with rabbits in it? It is down to you to teach him how to behave around them. I do not see how a 5 month old cocker can really be "too strong" or "too dominant" for any adult - unless you are a family of pixies :huh: ph34r But as also been said, if you are really convinced that you cannot manage him or are not prepared to deal with his training needs, then it might be kinder for him to go to someone who is happy to take on what is after all, normal puppy behaviour :shades: Sorry if this sounds harsh but you have had a lot of great advice here since you got Ollie and he does not seem to have any terrible faults - if you want a dog that is totally passive and submissive, then a cocker is probably not the breed for you. ;) I hope you manage to find a solution and sort out something that suits Ollie and lets him have the life he deserves. ;)
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To be completely honest, with all the many problems you've posted about, it may be the best thing for him. :-\
I totally agree.
i agree too , reading the previous threads, you dont sound mature enough to cope, hes only a baby and will be so for along time yet, the poor dog will be a nervous wreck by the time he is 2 , what do you expect a puppy to do with rabbits, i will repeat myself hes a puppy ::)they are like moving fluffy toys to most dogs, oh and does he bark alot, thats a shock too, sorry i cannot be sympathetic at all
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Rachel and others have given good advice here I think.
It sounds to me, having followed all your threads, that you and your family really didn't know what you were letting yourselves in for. That's not meant as a criticism by the way. It's so easy to imagine what something will be like and it turns out completely differently. I'd wanted a pup all my life, but decided not to get one until I had the time to devote to it. I read so many books and did so much research before I got Chloe, but NONE of it prepared me for the reality of her!
You seemed to be doing so well with Ollie recently, try not to let another set-back upset you too much. Ollie is just a pup, as everyone keeps saying to you. What I can't understand is why you don't take him to classes/training etc? You live in London don't you? Surely you have access to some down there? I live on Skye and have no access to classes or a trainer otherwise I would have had Chloe signed up before I even got her. Get as much help as you can, but if you definitely decide you can't cope...which would be a shame...then follow the advice from others on here as to what steps to take.
Sue
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I have to agree with most of the posters too I am afraid :'(. You probably feel right now that people are not on your side, but everyone has really tried hard to help with your problems as they have arisen. I and all the posters know pups can be frustrating, annoying and damned hard work, in return for this they give you love, happiness and never ending loyalty, but it does take time, and that is what you and your family have to be prepared for.
All puppies look cute, and cuddly and very small, but you have to be prepared for all the hard work involved in bringing them up/training them, call it what you will cos at the end of the day you are caring for a baby and as such they know nothing and depend on you to teach them the way to go.
I have a bunny too in a run, and yes Katie did bark when she first saw him, but I took her mind off bunny with a game of football, each time we went outside she was allowed to look and then her attention was focused on the game, now she does not even bother with the rabbit only to go up and say 'hello'.
I do hope you and the family decide that Ollie is worth persevering(sp) with, but if not, please do take the advice of other posters in regard to rehoming the little man. Good luck with whatever you decide to do.
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if I lived near I would come and give you a helping hand to see what the situation really is like (as it's hard to know from the typed word) and would help you anyway I could and if that meant re - homing Oliver then I would suggest in the first instance you contact the breeder and take it from there - if the breeder didn't want to know (which I hope they would want to help you) I would be inclined to PM 'Cotswold girl' ot 'Big Jim' on here and ask for there advice as to which would be the best rescue to contact to make sure he went to a forever loving home
People have offered you some good advice - BUT only you and your family can decide what to do
I wish you and Oliver all the best :D
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We have contacted some trainers, and I've found one that's sort of close by that sounds ok. I've told her about the difficulties we are having, and she sounds like she knows what's she doing, so we'll take him to that to see what we can do.
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We have contacted some trainers, and I've found one that's sort of close by that sounds ok. I've told her about the difficulties we are having, and she sounds like she knows what's she doing, so we'll take him to that to see what we can do.
Great news...hope all goes well!
Sue
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Its great if you find a good trainer you can work with.
As others suggest Ollie is quite a normal puppy really and no different than quite a lot at the same age whether they are cockers or not.
Our rescue sees many pups given up because of the unrealistic expectations of how they should be --- some pups are better than others but I've found from experience you can't go wrong if you have a good trainer to help you out.
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Me too ph34r sorry but you do seem to be a bit out of your depth and you dont seem to be taking on board what people have said time and time again "he is only a puppy" and he is only doing what puppies do and will continue to do until you teach him otherwise :-\ we have all had some of the same problems with our puppies but i do have to say most people accept them for what they are ..puppy behaviour...and either teach the puppy a better behaviour or wait knowing that the behaviour will pass :huh:
to be totally honest you will have this puppy for the next 10-15 years and in all that time you will still come across problems with an adult dog...yes they will be a little calmer and more responsive to you but that only comes from the training you put in ;)
If my 2 year old dog was presented with a run full of rabbits she would bark from excitment/curiosity because they would be a new thing to her :-\ ...it doesnt stop once they pass the puppy stage and you really have yet to get to the worst stage of the terrible teens ph34r
i suppose you need to speak to your family to see if they can commit another 10/15 years to Oliver..if not then perhaps he would be better with someone who can
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If my 2 year old dog was presented with a run full of rabbits she would bark from excitment/curiosity because they would be a new thing to her :-\ ...it doesnt stop once they pass the puppy stage and you really have yet to get to the worst stage of the terrible teens ph34r
Mine still chase the cats sometimes --- its a bit of a game --- but they all get on (but I do also make sure the cats have a haven away from the dogs if they want it).
Sometimes you have to change how you do things as you can't always expect everything to work well --- I know some expect to be able to leave all sorts of items on the floor and want the pup/dog to differentiate as to what's theirs when really they should think about tidying up the stuff away from them in the 1st place or wrok extremely hard to change things as to how they want them
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Glad you have found a trainer. I hope they can help and that things get sorted. Sometimes practical, hands on advice can be really helpful and help you put the advice people are giving in context. Wishing you the best of luck.
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Thanks. He has so much energy that I think a run would be better than a walk, but it's all on hard pavements. Would this be advisable?
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Thanks. He has so much energy that I think a run would be better than a walk, but it's all on hard pavements. Would this be advisable?
No, you can damage his joints if you run with him at such a young age :-\
His energy is not unusual in a working cocker, even in adults of all ages; they can run all day and still want more, so exercise isn't the answer - they need to be mentally challenged as well ;)
Simple things can make a huge difference - pop a few treats into an egg box, or plastic bottle and watch him have fun getting it out, play hide and seek with him, and give him loads of problems to solve and get him involved in an activity you can learn together; basic obedience at this age provides an excellent grounding and by going to a class, your trainer can help you stretch him and keep his brain working ;)
This is something you need to commit to for life - he won't suddenly become a couch potato when he is 12 months old; different breeds of dog have very different needs and you have chosen a breed which needs to be kept thinking to keep them out of trouble ;)
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I'll do the treats with the egg box. I think he'll find it fun, as he's very treat-motivated. With hide-and-seek with treats, do I direct him and command him to treats, or leave him to find them himself?
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I'll do the treats with the egg box. I think he'll find it fun, as he's very treat-motivated. With hide-and-seek with treats, do I direct him and command him to treats, or leave him to find them himself?
Like with everything at first, you have to teach him how to play the game; start by hiding them while he sees you do it, and then ask him to "find it" (or similar command), guiding him to them at first, until he realises that the word "find it" means that there are treats, and then gradually progress to hiding them while he is out of the room and making him really work for them ;)
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I agree with all the advice given....but having taken on two working cocker pups we were totally prepared for the energy and time needed with them. We don't have rabbits as pets but our cottage backs onto open fields full of them and our neighbours chickens run free......which they do chase.
Have you considered re homing the rabbits !.........far easier to re home than a 5 month pup. Olivers needs should be priority and if you are feeling stressed he will pick up on this. People are not being hard on you but pups need to be pups and not punished for something that is bred into them. :luv:
Maybe you have to face the fact that a new home may be better for him.....please take everyones advice and look for a sensible home if this is your decision.
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Have you considered re homing the rabbits !.........far easier to re home than a 5 month pup. Olivers needs should be priority and if you are feeling stressed he will pick up on this.
:o :o OMG - poor rabbits :o :o
Why should the needs of the new pet be put before the needs of the established pets? :'( It is quite possible for them to live together safely with a bit of effort put in - giving up any animal should be a last resort, not something that is done for convenience in order to accommodate a newer, more appealing pet :huh:
It is just as hard to find suitable homes for rabbits as it is puppies - and like dogs, there are thousands in rescues up and down the UK and more still pts each year because they are unwanted :-\
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Have you considered re homing the rabbits !.........far easier to re home than a 5 month pup. Olivers needs should be priority and if you are feeling stressed he will pick up on this.
:o :o OMG - poor rabbits :o :o
Why should the needs of the new pet be put before the needs of the established pets? :'( It is quite possible for them to live together safely with a bit of effort put in - giving up any animal should be a last resort, not something that is done for convenience in order to accommodate a newer, more appealing pet :huh:
It is just as hard to find suitable homes for rabbits as it is puppies - and like dogs, there are thousands in rescues up and down the UK and more still pts each year because they are unwanted :-\
I have to agree, (twice in one day?! :o ph34r :005:) if any animal has to be rehomed it should be the one which would benefit the most, and in this case that would be Ollie. If this was the only issue then it would be easy to solve, but i think this is just one in a long line of issues with regards to Ollies care and training. :-\
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My rabbits are my life, I wouldn't ever consider rehoming them. Rehoming Ollie has gone out of the window now, and I'm thinking of new ways to help him. I'm looking at training classes, I'm looking at games, and how best to accommodate our life around Ollie.
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My rabbits are my life, I wouldn't ever consider rehoming them. Rehoming Ollie has gone out of the window now, and I'm thinking of new ways to help him. I'm looking at training classes, I'm looking at games, and how best to accommodate our life around Ollie.
It has been said a thousand times, but the first thing you should do is book you both onto a good puppy training course! :shades: Given the problems you are having and your apparent inexperience with pups, I just cannot understand why you haven't done one yet :huh:
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I'm starting to see a bit of a pattern here. You seem to have a new problem every week yet don't seem to take on board the very honest and helpfull advice given on these forums. I can't blame Oliver for not knowing where he stands when he has owners that don't appear mature enough to cope with his needs.
I'm sure that a lot of people here have had more than the odd moment when their puppy pushes the boundaries. But (here comes the broken record) ...Oliver is only 5 months. Wilson is 8 months now and we're noticing that lately he is pushing the boundaries a lot more. Sometimes its two steps forward and one step back. But one day all our continued training, patience and effort should lead to us having a super little dog!
You have to persevere for the present but look to the future and be honest with yourself. Even if that involves some tough decisions.
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But I don't know how to train him (which is why I'm taking him to training classes). That's why i seem so confused and keep posting problems. Would a puppy class take a 5 month old?
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But I don't know how to train him (which is why I'm taking him to training classes). That's why i seem so confused and keep posting problems. Would a puppy class take a 5 month old?
Great if you are going to training - when does it start??? I am guessing you haven't found one yet - when you do, they will tell you what age they will accept ;)
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In one of your earlier posts you said that you were doing an animal management course at college!
Are you still doing it ? if so, surely you would be able to ask for help or recommendations from someone there :-\ :huh:
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But I don't know how to train him (which is why I'm taking him to training classes). That's why i seem so confused and keep posting problems. Would a puppy class take a 5 month old?
I thought you were taking him to a trainer you'd spoke to today, he/she would be able to say whether Oliver could go to the training class or not. Whether you can get a puppy training class or not, there will be a training class of some sort available. Some dogs are not trained as puppies and then need to start general obedience when they are older so there is always a training class suitable for whatever age of dog. The sooner the better though.
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But I don't know how to train him (which is why I'm taking him to training classes). That's why i seem so confused and keep posting problems. Would a puppy class take a 5 month old?
I take puppy's as soon as they are allowed out and about after their injections, i will also go to their home before this time too :D
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But I don't know how to train him (which is why I'm taking him to training classes). That's why i seem so confused and keep posting problems. Would a puppy class take a 5 month old?
They should do. It will be good for you to go along and learn new things.
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Is Oliver your first dog ? I've had dogs for 30 years ( mainly retrievers) and cockers can be a huge challenge :blink: But you can do it :blink:
Have you got any good books on training ?
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I'm starting to see a bit of a pattern here. You seem to have a new problem every week yet don't seem to take on board the very honest and helpfull advice given on these forums. I can't blame Oliver for not knowing where he stands when he has owners that don't appear mature enough to cope with his needs.
I agree with this totally.
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Have you tried a post to ask about trainers in your area, I am sure that there are plenty of London members on here.... alternatively type into google puppy training + your area and see what comes up. Alternatively check your vets they have a wealth of information and normally a folder with all the local services. Harvey started training classes at 16 weeks and that was only because we had to go on a waiting list, the sooner the better for socialisation as well as learning how to train and finding good ways to work together.
No matter how frustrated you are, do try and post on here with a positive and you will receive a lot more help - threatening rehoming or expressing your anger really isn't how to win friends and influence people, a simple "help how can I introduce Ollie to my rabbits" or "help, Ollie is barking at my rabbits" would enable people to give you their hints and tips from experience rather than focus on the negatives
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Hi
Please take Oliver to the training classes you have found, but please check that they only use positive methods.
I am glad you keep asking for help rather than struggling along on your own and making bigger problems for you and Oliver in the future. It is very confusing sometimes when you get lots of different advice from different people, I know when i first got Charlie every body had an opinion on what is best for him, I changed the things I tried for day to day, it got me no where. I soon learned that consitency, patience and kind leadership got the best results.
Please don't get too disheartened and don't stop asking for help and advice even if the responses you get sometimes seem quite harsh.
I hope your family are still giving you the support that you need
Claire
Posted at the same time as Simon and Mandy!
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Quoted from post 08/10 any good dog trainers in NW London
Hiya
I can't really find any good training classes in NW London. Does anyone know of any? All the ones I've seen are not good.
My reply:
Maybe a good idea to try your local vets, library etc, also *APDT (pet dog Trainers), I put a search in aol for Dog trainers and came up with 5 in North West London (worth a try) cannot guarantee what they are like obviously, you would have do a bit of groundwork yourself being in that area.
*The Association Of Pet Dog Trainers
Did you look where I said for Dog Trainer in your area? and if so did none of them suit you, distance wise etc.
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Thanks. He has so much energy that I think a run would be better than a walk, but it's all on hard pavements. Would this be advisable?
Absolutely not ... puppies actually don't need much exercise and too much can damage their growing joints so you have to be really careful with them.
MENTAL STIMULATION is the best way ... and training is what achieves that ... seems like you have been getting alot of good advice on here.
The one thing I will say from a rescue point of view is that you do need to sit down now and have a good hard think are you absolutely sure that you and the whole family have the time, energy and committment to this dog for the rest of it's life. Will all the family help with his training because it is no good just one person doing it he needs a consistent message from all the family and positive methods of training not tellings off. IMHO where the whole family is not committed to a dog it makes it very very hard for the person trying to train it and also for the dog. Oliver is 5 months ... pups are time consuming and tiring but teenage dogs are even harder, that is when it can become a battle of wills. If Oliver is a working cocker who strong are his working lines? The stronger a dogs working background the more their brains have to be worked as exercise alone will never tire them out.
I hope that you can sort things out for you and for Oliver
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Thanks. I've put together a list of what we do in certain situations so that everyone knows what to do. I've found some dog trainers in the yellow pages (i will check they use positive training methods), it was the only place that had any trainers that were close enough.
He has his dinner in a kong, and he loves this, much better than eating from a bowl. He is a show cocker, he has no working at all in his pedigree. I'll do hide-and-seek with treats as he loves searching and using his nose. Has anyone got a list of mental stimulation games I could do?
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Has anyone got a list of mental stimulation games I could do?
Get a copy of the Complete Idiots Guide to Positive Dog Training by Pamela Denison (make sure it is by her as there is another book with same name by someone else) - that will answer most of your training questions and give you lots of ideas. ;) Mental stimulation does not only need to be games - training of any sort will do the same job and so you can teach him basic obedience and some simple tricks too. ;)
If you don't already have "The Perfect Puppy" by Gwen Bailey, you could get that too - if you only get 2 books, these are the two you need imo. ;)
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Thanks. Will get them two.
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Good Luck - you can do it!!! Get a partner/friend/helper to take over some of the domestic chores for a while to give you the space to devote to him. You will need to follow a strict timetable of exercise and mental stim for Oliver - if you break from the timetable, it will not work. If you can't keep to the timetable, my advice is to rehome asap.
I think you need one to one training with a trainer, not puppy classes - you sound like me when I tried to learn how to ski, I found it impossible in a class - easy with intensive one to one support!
The love you need to feel for Oliver will come with time, I believe - and it'll make things easier.
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Hi
Please take Oliver to the training classes you have found, but please check that they only use positive methods.
I am glad you keep asking for help rather than struggling along on your own and making bigger problems for you and Oliver in the future. It is very confusing sometimes when you get lots of different advice from different people, I know when i first got Charlie every body had an opinion on what is best for him, I changed the things I tried for day to day, it got me no where. I soon learned that consitency, patience and kind leadership got the best results.
Please don't get too disheartened and don't stop asking for help and advice even if the responses you get sometimes seem quite harsh.
I hope your family are still giving you the support that you need
Claire
Posted at the same time as Simon and Mandy!
I agree ;)
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I have rabbits running free in my garden and all my dogs have been trained not to bother at all. It's hard at first and you have to be out verbally correcting them or moving them on constantly at the beginning. Your rabbits are in a run so could you not put a bit of wire fencing between dog and run so if he does continue to bark at them the rabbits know there is no chance of him getting at them.
I think your heart is in the right place but in all honesty I don't think Oliver will be a permanent fixture in your house as you seem to have so many obstacles, one minute he's out, next he's improved but for every step forward there's a step back too.
Think long and hard about what you can realistically do for your dog and if things don't add up rehome him now whilst he's still young enough for someone else to correct him.
You've had loads of help and suggestions on here, you've access to a library, to the internet, to behaviourists on here and you've access to training classes, he's probably a great dog just without leadership he'll loose his way.
Hope you prove me wrong.
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Thanks. I did some of the things you all have said today. When I walked him, I did the turning around when he pulled. And I'm going to stick with that, rather than keep changing the technique. The kids came over for only about 20 minutes, and when he got excited, I silently just put him into his crate. When he was quiet and calm, I let him out again. And with the rabbits, I put his old lead on (which he now has on all the time, so we can get him off the sofa, away from rabbits, kids etc, just to make it easier for us), and when he barked, I said LEAVE, and then just took his lead and put him indoors. When he was nice to the rabbits, I told him he was a good boy and gave him a stroke. So hopefully, if I continue with this, it could work?
With the timetable of exercise and mental stim., could someone PM me an example so I know roughly what to do?
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Have PM'd you :D
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We have contacted some trainers, and I've found one that's sort of close by that sounds ok. I've told her about the difficulties we are having, and she sounds like she knows what's she doing, so we'll take him to that to see what we can do.
Thanks. I've put together a list of what we do in certain situations so that everyone knows what to do. I've found some dog trainers in the yellow pages (i will check they use positive training methods), it was the only place that had any trainers that were close enough.
He has his dinner in a kong, and he loves this, much better than eating from a bowl. He is a show cocker, he has no working at all in his pedigree. I'll do hide-and-seek with treats as he loves searching and using his nose. Has anyone got a list of mental stimulation games I could do?
I thought you found a trainer yesterday that you were going to as you liked the sound of her but then today you said you've looked through yellow pages. TBH my gut feeling says that you will rehome Oliver, as you seem to say the right things on here but then you don't stick to them. The best advice on offer is to find a trainer now as you were going to do weeks ago on another thread, is it the cost thats stopped you?
I really feel for you and Oliver but if you and your family do not have the time or desire to put in ongoing training with help from a trainer, I don't think long term that this will work out and you really need to see if Oliver will be better off being rehomed - its not fair on him.
I hope it does work out, good luck with getting a trainer.
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It really breaks my heart that some people don't research what breed of dog they are getting. All puppies are hard work what ever breed, that has to be realised from the start, but then as they grow you have be aware of their history and breeding, I have a cavalier which was basically bred to sit by the Kings Feet (and boy does she think she's royalty) But doesnt have much in way of instinct for hunting etc. Whereas Annie is everywhere, sniffing chasing etc...its alot harder work but we knew this from the offset that she would be and requires a lot more from us stimulation wise..Maisie the Cav isn't ignored btw she just likes to place her self on me or a cushion and survey (regally :005:) the comings and goings. You really need to stop saying your going to rehome him OR do it and give someone who knows and wants the breed to work with while he is still so young. Sorry if that sounds harsh.
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it's the distance that is stopping us. We are going to talk to our vet tonight about training classes, as they do one with a behaviourist (so not a puppy party). All the other ones are miles away, even though we are in London(?)
Mooks - We are not rehoming him. I've only said it once at the start of this thread, so I haven't kept saying it.
Took him to the park this afternoon and tried walking him in his harness. I don't know why, but he seemed to respect the harness more. I only had to turn around about two times in the whole walk, whereas this morning it was about 100 times. Don't know if it's the harness or this morning's walk that has had an effect? I did some leave training and he started barking as he was frustrated that he wasn't getting a treat, so I stood up and turned my back. Once he stopped barking, i continued with the training. This seemed to work. Had to do it about three times, but he stopped barking quicker each time. Is this correct?
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Took him to the park this afternoon and tried walking him in his harness. I don't know why, but he seemed to respect the harness more. I only had to turn around about two times in the whole walk, whereas this morning it was about 100 times. Don't know if it's the harness or this morning's walk that has had an effect? I did some leave training and he started barking as he was frustrated that he wasn't getting a treat, so I stood up and turned my back. Once he stopped barking, i continued with the training. This seemed to work. Had to do it about three times, but he stopped barking quicker each time. Is this correct?
Yes, you must know this by now - ignore bad behaviour and reward the good - it applies to everything ;)
With the timetable of exercise and mental stim., could someone PM me an example so I know roughly what to do?
I am sure you can make up your own plan of training etc to fit in with your other commitments. :huh: If you read through all the suggestions and advice you have been given you have more than enough information to plan a fantastic training programme for Ollie. At the end of the day - we cannot do this for you, it is up to you to take responsibility for his training and welfare. No it is not easy but we have all been through it and perseverence and consistency is are the key. ;)
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I have sent you a training plan so you have an idea how to do one and can modify the one I sent by adding more bits to it (it's a weekly one with 4 x 10 minute training sessions a day :D
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Have only just seen this thread and haven't read all the comments but I just wanted to say please don't feel you are alone struggling with Olivers behaviour. We are having issues with our new little girly who is now 17 months old we have had her for 10 weeks. Training needs to be continuous, repetitive and everyone needs to be singing from the same hymn sheet. Make little goals and don't become to disheartened when he is fabulous one day and then the following day doesn't seem to remember a single thing he has learnt. Have you tried a clicker? Did you subscribe to the free clicker training link that was on here a little while ago. I'm sure that someone could recommend a book on this! Have you spoken to Top Barks, I see Cazza is helping you already.
I would just like to say good luck, work hard at it and it will all be so worth it in the long run. I'm sure you would regret letting him go if you went ahead with that and I'm sure that isn't what you really want to do. Dogs are hard work (Unless you get one like Maudie who was just so easy) We learnt this when we got Alice but everyday we notice improvement in her which makes the work so worthwhile!
Thinking of you x
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it's the distance that is stopping us. We are going to talk to our vet tonight about training classes, as they do one with a behaviourist (so not a puppy party). All the other ones are miles away, even though we are in London(?)
You said you were going to the vets weeks ago to ask about a trainer. I feel so frustrated reading these posts, do you actually listen to any advice. You said you spoke to a trainer yesterday or didn't you. I am really sorry for saying this but it sounds like to are talking rubbish, do what you say you are going to do. Get a trainer or go on a training course. I will no doubt be slated for saying this but at this moment in time I really do not care.
Either get on to a training course with your family or rehome Oliver - he really is not a problem - the owners are at this stage.
I ready for any comments at this stage, this nicey nicey comments are coming now a bit too late. How many times do people have to repeat themselves. Why don't people get books before they get puppeis, research on the breed, know that all puppies need training. I cannot believe that you said you don't want to go on training courses originally and yet you have admitted you don't know how to train him. How do you expect your puppy to be trained??
I am so cross reading these posts and cannot bite my tongue any longer. GET ON A TRAINING COURSE
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Sorry Jeanette didn't mean to p@@@ you off! I do agree with you a training course is the only way forward and I guess I should have read all the posts before replying, I just feel it would be devastating for the family to try to re home him now. We took Alice to training the first week we had her! Without that she would never have learnt how to socialise with other dogs. Her training is slow but consistant and thats what I was trying to get at consistency is so important otherwise the dog will not understand what he is supposed to do. It does appear the owner has not followed through consistently up to this point but hopefully taking advice from her she will do in the future!
Sorry again! :huh:
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Sorry Jeanette didn't mean to p@@@ you off! I do agree with you a training course is the only way forward and I guess I should have read all the posts before replying, I just feel it would be devastating for the family to try to re home him now. We took Alice to training the first week we had her! Without that she would never have learnt how to socialise with other dogs. Her training is slow but consistant and thats what I was trying to get at consistency is so important otherwise the dog will not understand what he is supposed to do. It does appear the owner has not followed through consistently up to this point but hopefully taking advice from her she will do in the future!
Sorry again! :huh:
Tracey, you haven't upset me at all.
Its the fact that this sounds like its going to be another statistic on the free ads on the net - harsh at it sounds. Trainign courses should be mandatory for all new puppy owners, thats why so many dogs end up being rehomed. Again, I am speaking my mind - shoot me down I am sooooo angry.
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Jeanette, I think the OP may be limited in her ability to undertake and make decsions as she is not the head of the house but just 17 years old.
I agree the comments do jump around a bit but I hope she is trying to do what is best for the dog.
Please keep your comments civil, and if the thread winds you up then why choose to read it?
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So sorry if I have made anyone angry or upset. I'm in tears writing this, and I feel like we will have to rehome him after all. My mum won't allow Ollie to have a lead on around the house. She wants him to be shut in the kitchen when my nephews are around (4 times a week for about 3 hours), and will always put Ollie second. She thinks she knows better than me, but I'm the person actually getting stuff off forums and telling her. I think like I keep hitting a brick wall, and Ollie's suffering. I really think Ollie would be much happier in another home, who could devote more time and training and understanding than we can. I'm so unhappy right now. We'll contact his breeder to see what she says. :'(
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Jeanette, I think the OP may be limited in her ability to undertake and make decsions as she is not the head of the house but just 17 years old.
I agree the comments do jump around a bit but I hope she is trying to do what is best for the dog.
Please keep your comments civil, and if the thread winds you up then why choose to read it?
Fair comment Michele, I shan't read it anymore. I just find it frustrating that the original advice weeks ago is not taken on board to find a trainer.
Sorry if I have upset the original OP. Hope you find a training course. Good luck and I will bow out now, I hope you get a training course organised and the best of luck with Oliver, he sounds like a normal puppy to me.
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Posted same time as original OP.
I am really sorry, I didn't meant to upset, I just found the whole situation terribly frustrating as no doubt you have done. It doesn't help if you don't have the backup of your family.
Whatever you decide to do, good luck.
PS My Indie spends more time in the kitchen that 3 hours per day and it doesn't affect her.
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So sorry if I have made anyone angry or upset. I'm in tears writing this, and I feel like we will have to rehome him after all. My mum won't allow Ollie to have a lead on around the house. She wants him to be shut in the kitchen when my nephews are around (4 times a week for about 3 hours), and will always put Ollie second. She thinks she knows better than me, but I'm the person actually getting stuff off forums and telling her. I think like I keep hitting a brick wall, and Ollie's suffering. I really think Ollie would be much happier in another home, who could devote more time and training and understanding than we can. I'm so unhappy right now. We'll contact his breeder to see what she says. :'(
I think this has already been said, but if you are not getting the full support of your family, then I feel this is the only option for Oliver. I understand that puppies and children have to be allowed 'me' time, but it does really sound as though your family are not supportive.
I can fully understand you are upset and it would also break my heart if I were to return Sam to his breeder. :'(
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So sorry! You have no other choice if you dont have the support from your family! :'(
I wish I could help!
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So sorry if I have made anyone angry or upset. I'm in tears writing this, and I feel like we will have to rehome him after all. My mum won't allow Ollie to have a lead on around the house. She wants him to be shut in the kitchen when my nephews are around (4 times a week for about 3 hours), and will always put Ollie second. She thinks she knows better than me, but I'm the person actually getting stuff off forums and telling her. I think like I keep hitting a brick wall, and Ollie's suffering. I really think Ollie would be much happier in another home, who could devote more time and training and understanding than we can. I'm so unhappy right now. We'll contact his breeder to see what she says. :'(
I know its not much help now but your mum is probably right about shutting him in the kitchen whilst your nephews are around. If children are playing, it sometimes is easier to keep the puppy and children seperate. It isn't a case of putting Ollie second, she is just being sensible and probably trying to keep her sanity.
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When I'm at college, and the kids are there, Ollie gets no attention whatsoever from my family, is that really fair?
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When I'm at college, and the kids are there, Ollie gets no attention whatsoever from my family, is that really fair?
No, not at all. I thought you mean't for just 3 hours a day. If you're not there, then I guess no-one's training him - it really isn't fair. :'(
Its such a horrible time for you, think of Ollie and whats best for him.
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I'm so unhappy right now. We'll contact his breeder to see what she says. :'(
If you are going down this route then I hope the breeder will take Oliver and re- home him for you, if there is any problem at all and the breeder won't Please please contact pennyB, cotswold Girl or Big Jim on here and ask for their advice and contacts via PM
Good luck :D and I can understand how upset you are after all the emails we have exchanged today - but I have to agree if your mum and the rest of the family are not going to help you with oliver when you are at college then it is best for him to be re- homed now,
Good luck and keep me informed :D :luv: :-*
edited to correct myself and put Cotswold girl, as I had put country girl - oops
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When I'm at college, and the kids are there, Ollie gets no attention whatsoever from my family, is that really fair?
Well if that really is the case then no it isn't. You have to also bear in mind that when you leave home or get a job, Ollie will need to be catered for - has this been thought through at all? Who is going to look after him then?
I agree that he should be kept away from small kids at the moment - he will jump up and bite them and that is also normal for puppies to do, so your mum is right to keep them separate at the moment. I have a young child and kept him separate from the puppies I've had, I was also advised to do this by a trainer.
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If he gets any attention from my family, it's usually bad attention, like they are telling him off for jumping up or something like that. No-one else in the family actually plays with him, only me or my mum walks him (i usually do most walks), i'm the only one who trains him. But everyone else is very happy to give him his dinner. Thanks guys(!), that's brilliant help(!).
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Can I just ask, was Oliver bought with the whole consent of the family, or were some of them against it?
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My brother was against him, and it really shows. My parents wanted another dog, but I think they'd thought it would be like our old dog, who was the soppiest, dopiest thing you'd ever seen and no trouble whatsoever. They just didn't realise what they were getting into I think. I was the main push for a dog, and my parents keep telling me that and use it in arguments.
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That's a real shame :'( I do wonder however hard you try you are going to have an uphill struggle. All dogs are different and to expect Ollie to be like your old one is unrealistic. Did they have the other dog from a pup as all of Ollie's "problems" are him just being a puppy, but also because he's receiving mixed messages. As was said very early on, until you all 'sing the same song' training Ollie will be hard.
I have no doubt though that one day when you have a dog solely for yourself (or with a partner) that you will work hard and do your best for him/her.
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As a rehoming co-ordinator one of the things I do is talk to people who are looking for new dogs and organise all the checks etc. What is vital to me is that the WHOLE family are committed to the family. If anyone in the family is not sure then I will not rehome a NESSR dog to them.
I am not sure how old you are but a dog is a huge responsibility that can last for 15 years ... I know in my late teens and twenties my life changed so much and as much as I wanted a dog of my own I put it off until I was settled and ready for the committment.
A puppy was never going to be like an old dog even if it was the same breed. Our oldie still has alot of energy but she is not really that demanding ... in contrast in september I had a sprocker pup the same age as Oliver and he was knackering ... great fun but sooooooo demanding and such a baby.
Hopefully his breeder will be helpful but sometimes I know they are not so if you want to give me a call feel free to PM me I am happy to have a chat with you. I don't think anyone is angry or upset with you they are just trying to help you and Oliver.
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Sometimes you can't guarantee how a puppy will turn out as it depends on their parentage as well as their upbringing. Puppies trained postively from a young age with confidence etc. can turn out differently than may be say a similar pup who has had no training or is trained very badly.
In hindsight it may have been better for your parents to have got a young adult rescue dog that was already mature and calmer than a puppy as most if not all can be hard work plus sometimes you forget how difficult puppies are if its been a long time since they had one, plus the breed is not always the easest if you're nto set up for one.
When taking on any dog a new owner should consider the breed and research how you will walk the dog if you don't live near a park or similar open space --- I even chose my house on the basis of closeness to offlead walks (and safety of the cats). Daft as it may seem I assume you have looked to see if there are any closer open spaces so may be he can get more out of his walks more often (I use ordnance survey maps to look for different places to go with my two).
May be also do some training exercises as well rather than just walking him when out and about --- I used to walk mine then may be do a 20min session outside the house and round the block (I also used a 3-way training lead as well).
Every dog is different (even among the same breed) and may be your parents should try to get out of the mindset of their other dog as this is also holding you all back --- think of the present and towards the future and not the past.
Dogs can go on public transport and I know my dog trainer will tell you I was often one of the only ones who would turn up on rainy nights even though I was the only one who used public transport --- I had two trains to catch (shortish journeys though) and then a walk to get to them (or I used the bus the whole way!), and later on when it was lighter and they were older I would catch the train 10 min up the valley and then walk for 45-1h to get to the class along a trail where I practised recall all the way (when they were younger I would carry them part way if necessary).
Even now I go all over the place by bus/train with my two (they both travel free) and go off to agility training when i can or just to walk them somewhere different. Plus its fun using public transport with a dog as its amazing how mnay people talk to you plus its good socialising for your dog. Not being near somewhere or not having a car or someone to give you a lift shouldn't be a barrier.
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I really think you should look at re homing now....I think a few of us may not have realised that you are not the head of the family. You must have the full co operation of the whole household to provide a stable environment for Oliver and commitment from everyone, I don't think this is the right time for you to have a dog at the moment. Please look sensibly at re-homing. :luv:
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If you are going to rehome, now might be a better time than after Christmas too as there may well be a lot of unwanted puppies around then and Ollie will possibly also be hitting the teenage years at that time..
Ollie's long term future in your household seems very unstable too as you are at an age where you will soon start working full time or leave home - is now really the right time to have an active working breed pup?
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have you thought what would happen in a couple of years time, if say you meet someone or leave home, im only asking as a lady i work withs daughter insisted on getting a bulldog puppy when she was 18, then met a bloke who she moved in with and took the dog with her to rented accomodation , she then bought a 6 yr old bitch off the same breeder, a year later she split up with said bloke and moved back home with her parents,never has time for the dogs or walks them at all . she has now decided she wants to be a vetinary nurse and is going away to coll next year, she doesnt know what she will do with these 2 dogs,her mother cant afford to keep both as she also has her own dog and she said to her mum, " i didnt realise i would have a different life and want to do other things when i got them " im not saying this applies to you but if in a couple of years something happened would your family keep oliver,by your previous posts i would say no , none of us on here want to sound horrible we are just mainly older and can see problems ahead for you,
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I'm taking him to training classes, as I feel the only person my parents will listen to is a dog trainer. It's a final resort.
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I'm taking him to training classes, as I feel the only person my parents will listen to is a dog trainer. It's a final resort.
surely training classes should have been what you did first!
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I'm taking him to training classes, as I feel the only person my parents will listen to is a dog trainer. It's a final resort.
Why see it as a last resort??????? It should have been one of the first things that you did with him. I've had 3 dogs and taken them all to puppy classes and ongoing classes throughout their lives. Why is it such a big deal?
This battle of wills between you and your parents is not the right environment to be handling this dog. It's beginning to sound like you're all more interested in proving a point to each other and 'wining' than actually owning this dog or doing the right thing by him. I'm going to bow out now too i'm afraid, these threads have become ridiculous and I don't think they are actually about the dog and I don't think you will be able to put the long term commitment and consistency in that he needs. I hope I'm wrong but I can't say anymore now.
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I'm taking him to training classes, as I feel the only person my parents will listen to is a dog trainer. It's a final resort.
Why see it as a last resort??????? It should have been one of the first things that you did with him. I've had 3 dogs and taken them all to puppy classes and ongoing classes throughout their lives. Why is it such a big deal?
This battle of wills between you and your parents is not the right environment to be handling this dog. It's beginning to sound like you're all more interested in proving a point to each other and 'wining' than actually owning this dog or doing the right thing by him. I'm going to bow out now too i'm afraid, these threads have become ridiculous and I don't think they are actually about the dog and I don't think you will be able to put the long term commitment and consistency in that he needs. I hope I'm wrong but I can't say anymore now.
I agree too - I really think the best thing for Ollie would to go to a home where they can give him what he needs - ie a loving home with firm and consistant boundaries and an owner who has the time and dedication to teach him how to behave. :shades: Sadly, I do not think you can offer him this at the moment. I would love to be proved wrong but I doubt that I will be. :'( The very first thing I did with Coco was take her to a puppy training class - I am disappointed that you see this as a last resort :huh: :huh:
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You know I think the OP is trying her best here, I feel very sorry for her, she seems to be stuck between the devil and the deep blue sea. Wanting to do her best for Ollie and of course not having the full support from her family, I understand fully that some of you are upset and are thinking of Ollie, but I think some posts are quite judgemental and a tad harsh are not helping this youngster much. I am glad you have had some helpful advice Ollie I applaud your courage in posting this, training a pup doesn't come eaily to everyone, sounds like your family are finding it tough, you are doing your best but you can't do it all on your own. I think you need to think long and hard about Ollies future and I think by being realistic and considering all options you are doing this already. I wish you all the very best with whatever you decide as a family to do :blink:
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You know I think the OP is trying her best here, I feel very sorry for her, she seems to be stuck between the devil and the deep blue sea. Wanting to do her best for Ollie and of course not having the full support from her family, I understand fully that some of you are upset and are thinking of Ollie, but I think some posts are quite judgemental and a tad harsh are not helping this youngster much. I am glad you have had some helpful advice Ollie I applaud your courage in posting this, training a pup doesn't come eaily to everyone, sounds like your family are finding it tough, you are doing your best but you can't do it all on your own. I think you need to think long and hard about Ollies future and I think by being realistic and considering all options you are doing this already. I wish you all the very best with whatever you decide as a family to do :blink:
Here, here Emma.
Good luck with Ollie. Sometimes it's a case of "wrong dog, wrong home". Nobody's fault, just the way it is. Puppies are very hard work, and a cocker puppy can be very challenging. If you do decide that rehoming Ollie is the way to go, then like others have said, it is imperative that a good home is found, either through his breeder or an excellent rescue centre. I'm sorry your family couldn't have been more supportive of you :-\
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You know I think the OP is trying her best here, I feel very sorry for her, she seems to be stuck between the devil and the deep blue sea. Wanting to do her best for Ollie and of course not having the full support from her family, I understand fully that some of you are upset and are thinking of Ollie, but I think some posts are quite judgemental and a tad harsh are not helping this youngster much. I am glad you have had some helpful advice Ollie I applaud your courage in posting this, training a pup doesn't come eaily to everyone, sounds like your family are finding it tough, you are doing your best but you can't do it all on your own. I think you need to think long and hard about Ollies future and I think by being realistic and considering all options you are doing this already. I wish you all the very best with whatever you decide as a family to do :blink:
My thoughts too Emma
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I see Cazza is helping you already.
Yes I have been emailing OP today and talking and trying to help with the training :D It's just a shame I am sooo far away otherwise I may just have popped round and helped too
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You know I think the OP is trying her best here, I feel very sorry for her, she seems to be stuck between the devil and the deep blue sea. Wanting to do her best for Ollie and of course not having the full support from her family, I understand fully that some of you are upset and are thinking of Ollie, but I think some posts are quite judgemental and a tad harsh are not helping this youngster much. I am glad you have had some helpful advice Ollie I applaud your courage in posting this, training a pup doesn't come eaily to everyone, sounds like your family are finding it tough, you are doing your best but you can't do it all on your own. I think you need to think long and hard about Ollies future and I think by being realistic and considering all options you are doing this already. I wish you all the very best with whatever you decide as a family to do :blink:
Me too. What a horrible time for her at such a young age. It is her parents the comments should be directed at.
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I'm looking at this training school. Does it look good?
http://www.caninecollege.co.uk/
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Hi
Yes I think it does look good, hope you can get a place.
Good luck
Claire
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Hi Hun
I haven't really got any advice for you but I really do feel for you. I hope that you manage to get to some classes with the gorgeous little Ollie and I bet you will really enjoy it once you get there. I've only just started with Eric ph34r and dog traning is now the highlight of my week.
I hope that you and your family manage to work things out with Ollie. I'm sure with time his behaviour will improve he is only a baby still.
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Is your mum ok with paying for the cost of training? Must be hard for you, its ok for those of us with our own homes, if our pups ruin anything then it was ours to ruin and dont get an ear full about it.
hope you manage to work things out. :D
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It's not cost, it's distance, but this one is ok on distance, so i just hope I can get a place. Have emailed them so hopefully get a reply soon.
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Oh my goodness. I also have to bow out from this. Book yourself onto a course, get off the internet and spend some time with your puppy. Yes, I am a hypocrite because I'm on here reading this. But when our puppy needs training, walks, cuddles and all the attention he deserves I just don't have the time to log on. By all means pop on and ask advice, I know I did in the early days and found this forum invaluable. But i guess I've just reached the end of my tether with this.
Good luck Oliver.
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What? What have I done wrong now? He's asleep. I'm not going to start playing with him when he's asleep. He's had his dinner, he's had all his walks.
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I'm looking at this training school. Does it look good?
http://www.caninecollege.co.uk/
Hiya
I'm gonna PM you again - i have some doubts :-\
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What? What have I done wrong now? He's asleep. I'm not going to start playing with him when he's asleep. He's had his dinner, he's had all his walks.
you've done nothing wrong - read your PM's from me woman ;)
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Ive been reading this thread now for a while and for what its worth and in the opinion of a complete amateur in cocker land i think you are worrying much too much. when bonnie boo was 6 months old i thought she was the devils own puppy i now realise that she was and like Oliver is now just that, a puppy. i was amazed at how much work it was and I'm an old git with i like to think lots of patience.
Please stick with it and he will improve and in a while you will be the one handing out advice.just don't expect everything to come together at once. it will work out give it time
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Ive been reading this thread now for a while and for what its worth and in the opinion of a complete amateur in cocker land i think you are worrying much too much. when bonnie boo was 6 months old i thought she was the devils own puppy i now realise that she was and like Oliver is now just that, a puppy. i was amazed at how much work it was and I'm an old git with i like to think lots of patience.
Please stick with it and he will improve and in a while you will be the one handing out advice.just don't expect everything to come together at once. it will work out give it time
well said :D
ooops i'm not sure you are an 'old git' tho
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I quite agree with Magic Star. The OP is trying to do her best and as has been mentioned before she is not the head of the house and without the emotional, practical and financial support of her parents she is trying very hard to improve things for her puppy and for her family. I feel that some people attitudes have been really harsh and a little unfair.
Good luck with the training classes, I hope you get what you need from them and your family. If not I am sure you will make the right descision. :-*
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I hope everything works out for you with Oliver.
I'm a complete novice where Cockers are concerned but I do have a 17yr old son & know from experience that 17yr olds can be stubborn & so can parents (I certainly am!) & then you end up at loggerheads.
I think in addition to Ollie's training, a key thing to make this work will be keeping your Mum on side with you. Talk to her, ask her for help (we parents love it when our teens ask for help, makes us feel needed ;)), be completely open with her but in a non-confrontational way, let her know how much Oliver means to you & how important it is to you for this to work. You'll find that if you approach it the right way, your Mum can be your greatest ally.
Best of luck to you & Oliver.
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Oliver21508 - I have been following this thread closely, and I really do sympathise with your position. I can also understand why people have become frustrated and why this has led them to post the comments they have. I must admit to feeling quite frustrated when I first saw this thread, and as I said, I really was at a loss as to how to respond at first.
You obviously do love Ollie dearly, and you have worked very hard to create a positive environment for him. If you are still having difficulties with your family, I really urge you to get on board with a training class as soon as possible. It is such a shame as this really would have been something your family could have organised from the start, rather than leaving it to you to find something once problems have arisen. While you probably have a lot of things to do at the minute, trying to keep your family consistent and give Ollie the training he needs, you do need to make this a priority.
I thought your family had agreed to follow your instructions for training Ollie?? If they are telling him off rather than rewarding good behaviour, then they are not keeping to their agreement.
There is nothing wrong with him being kept seperate when young children are about - can you agree a compromise where he gets a walk and play session before they arrive, so he is tired, and then stays out of harm's way with a Kong or other interactive toy/treat?? At 4-5 months, Honey was quite happy being left completely on her own for a few hours at a time, as long as she had her Kong and a few toys...
I really hope you get things sorted out - for your and Ollie's sake. And remember, plenty of adults struggle with the puppy stage - not only with the behaviour a pup can present but also with all the conflicting information out there about how to deal with it - they don't have the added pressure of trying to convince their family (who have owned dogs before) that they are doing things the right way!! I have to say that, without COL, we would have made so many more mistakes with Honey, as there is so much out there saying alsorts that, if you sit back and think for a while makes no sense at all, but when you are under stress with a pup it is so easy to just try anything without thinking it through!!
Good luck - and do keep us posted!! :D
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I hope everything works out for you with Oliver.
I'm a complete novice where Cockers are concerned but I do have a 17yr old son & know from experience that 17yr olds can be stubborn & so can parents (I certainly am!) & then you end up at loggerheads.
I think in addition to Ollie's training, a key thing to make this work will be keeping your Mum on side with you. Talk to her, ask her for help (we parents love it when our teens ask for help, makes us feel needed ;)), be completely open with her but in a non-confrontational way, let her know how much Oliver means to you & how important it is to you for this to work. You'll find that if you approach it the right way, your Mum can be your greatest ally.
Best of luck to you & Oliver.
I agree with the above post.... Please try to have a chat with your mom or dad about how difficult your are finding things and how much Oliver means to you and how you want things to work out with him and his training.
Everyone in the family needs to be working together to help with Olivers training to make him into the dog you all want him to be, he can't do it all by himself and he needs all of the families help.
IF all of the family can't offer the traning he needs then please speak to Olivers breeder, I would want to know if one of my puppy owners were struggling.
Best wishes...
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What? What have I done wrong now? He's asleep. I'm not going to start playing with him when he's asleep. He's had his dinner, he's had all his walks.
you've done nothing wrong - read your PM's from me woman ;)
I think the OP was referring to this post below Cazza, not yours ;) :lol2:
Oh my goodness. I also have to bow out from this. Book yourself onto a course, get off the internet and spend some time with your puppy. Yes, I am a hypocrite because I'm on here reading this. But when our puppy needs training, walks, cuddles and all the attention he deserves I just don't have the time to log on. By all means pop on and ask advice, I know I did in the early days and found this forum invaluable. But i guess I've just reached the end of my tether with this.
Good luck Oliver.
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Hi
I didn't mean to sound so harsh but you have made a number of posts re Ollie......I didn't realise you were so young, I have a daughter nearly same age and she is not responsible for our Dogs we are. Who does Ollie belong too? what I'm trying to say is who bought him or decided to bring him into your family? Im not being harsh now I'm just worried you've left so many posts and you are so young, I feel that as a so called grown up I struggled with my dear Cocker so just want to make sure you are ok...where abouts are you maybe some of us could help
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Hi
I didn't mean to sound so harsh but you have made a number of posts re Ollie......I didn't realise you were so young, I have a daughter nearly same age and she is not responsible for our Dogs we are. Who does Ollie belong too? what I'm trying to say is who bought him or decided to bring him into your family? Im not being harsh now I'm just worried you've left so many posts and you are so young, I feel that as a so called grown up I struggled with my dear Cocker so just want to make sure you are ok...where abouts are you maybe some of us could help
I agree you are young i saw from your're profile you are in London. I am too SE london, i'd be happy to reccomend to good reward based traniers in your area or get recommendatons from my training club ;) We've found training really fun and most importantly rewarding in the long term. It's such a shame that you are so young and yet are having to deal with all of this. :huh:
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Thanks. I live in NW London. Ollie belongs to my parents, but I seem to be the person most responsible for him. Cos I wanted to train him and walk him, that is now what I'm doing, but I didn't realise how hard it would be.
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Perhaps you could let your Mum and Dad read this thread? When I lived at home we always had dogs and although my parents were happy for me to be involved with the training and walking etc, even at 17 they would never have expected me to take full responsibility!! When my OH and I decided our daughters were old enough for us to have a dog we did TONS of research - Im talking a years worth - before we decided on a breed, and then another 6 months before we found a breeder who ticked all our boxes. As it turns out Jerry is a dream boat but still needs lots of time and attention and to be honest I never expect that to change.
I really do hope you manage to get your family on board hun. You only get out of a dog what you put in and it really is worth the time and effort to train Oliver properly. The only thing I would add to that is - please dont think that he will be trained after a 6 week training course, Jerry still conveniently forgets all his training when he feels like it. My uncle works spaniels and says his cockers often give him headache as he has to be on at them all the time to stay on task. So really the training course is for you, so you know what methods to implement, then you can expect to have to keep implementing them for at least the next 2 years (if not the full 15 years Oliver could live for!) before they fully sink in. Having said that a very experienced cocker owner who lives near me marched his 6 year old cocker off the field yesterday because he wasnt listening to a word he said! :005:
Sending you a supportive hug in what seems like a difficult situation xx
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ive just sat and read all of this thread, bless you trying to help Ollie, it must be very difficult at what is a crucial age for young dogs to be learning and socialising to not have support from your family? i think your parents were very foolish to even entertain the idea of a new puppy if it was only you who was interested in really having one? what happens when one day you move out and have to leave him there with your parents cause some rented places dont allow dogs? i think you all need to to get involved, sit and talk to your mum about it maybe?
I know im a lucky one with that my boy has never really caused me any upset and hes now 19 months old? but i hes had what alot of dogs dont get nowadays i guess and thats, complete and utter 24/7 attention, he spends all day and night with me, yeah i leave him for a few hours every now and again, were not totally joint at the hip lol. I wouldnt of got a dog if i couldnt of given him what he needs, ive wanted a cocker forever and waited to what i thought was the right time, and it paid off, but then each dog is very different to the next.
Puppies will be puppies and bored puppies will be little devils :005: ollie needs some direction in life think, maybe you could find some agility classes, he might really enjoy doing stuff like that eventually?
I hope you get it sorted you sound like a sweet girl trying her best for something that i feel may be abit much on a head so young. but then look at that Kate and Gin! that could be you!! ha ha Keep us posted on your progress x
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hi :D
oh i really feel for you, and such a huge responsibillity on such young shoulders.
i'm fairly young, and have owned cockers for almost 9 years now, and also have 9 ph34r cockers.
but i'm extremly lucky that i am at home all day, and all my cockers get idividual attention, one on one training, lots of lovley walks ect.
i'm not having a go at you in anyway, but i don't think people put the homework in before getting a puppy, puppies are no different to babies in many respects, they need attention, socilaistion, stimulation, all family members need to be 100 % committed to a new puppy.in order for it to work, and make life easy for everyone.
puppies are extremley hard work, and need to be taught what is expected from them from day one of being brought home, some vets do puppy parti's that you can take a puppy to, too begin with, then once vaccinations are complete, you can them move up to puppy training classes, and this continues, every day at home for short periods too.training should be fun, and for short periods of a time, and the length of training grows as puppies age.
i feel reading the posts on here, you have had lots of negitive feedback, and really you should be able to come on here for advise and help.
but also you need to sort out some form of training for your puppy. go right back to basic's with him, the puppy is young, and ideal to train him, cockers are and can be a lively breed, they are after all a member of the gundogs, all puppies will play up,and constantley test there boundries, they are puppies, no different to babies, you would'nt turn your back on a baby,we nuture , care and guide them, and this is what a puppy needs too.
i do feel you may have an upward hill struggle with some of your family members, and for your puppy to grow in confidence, to be trained to be a lovleble puppy, a well behaved puppy, then all family members need to be consitant with training.
my heart goes out to you, but get him trained, and you would have a lovely boy in your puppy,it takes time, and you cannot expect miracles, training is a lifetime of training , with being a cocker, mental stimulation, for when he is alone, or for times he has to be shut in a room, although maybe i have'nt read all the postings, but why is he shut in when children are about ?, if hes shut away, this can make a stituation worse, he can be suvervised around children, or maybe have a longline lead on him, and lots of prasie with training treats.
as i said you have to teach your puppy what is expected of/from him.
i'm such a placid person, and have gone through training all 9 of my own cockers, it can be done, and you will have dogs you can take anywhere and be so proud of them.
i REALLY wish you the best with your puppy, PLEASE don't give up on him, i'm sure with guidance and training, things will seem better, but it will take time.
keep us updated.
and i wish you well what ever you decide.
love terri
x
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Hi
Just wanted to add a few comments
I have read previous posts by you and feel you have tried really hard. I know you have tried and tried to get your family on board and to use the same commands to no avail.
If you feel you need to re home him for his sake I feel it is not because you are giving up but because you feel it is best for him.
It is not easy doing it on your own, at my age, and I'm not saying what :005: I have had difficulty getting family to use the same commands and have had the mickey taken out of me because I have been to training classes (OH reckons 'she took her to training classes and she learnt how to bark!!') But I'm in the position I tell my family where to go!!
A lot of 17 year old would not have bothered to ask advice and given up long ago.
When my children were small and when the grandchildren were small our pups were always in the kitchen for the pups and the children's sake so as long as they are let out and not ignored I can't see any problem with that.
I wish you all the best with whatever decision you feel you have to make.
Sending lots of hugs
Love Kate x
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Just to add my twopennyworth, I also feel that you are really trying your best with Ollie given your young age and you obviously love him a lot. It can't be easy when you haven't got the support of your family and as you are so young you aren't the decision maker in the family and are also under pressure to make him behave. I ditto what everyone else has said in that it is imperative that you find yourself a training class to go to. We have a lot of youngsters go to our training club and they do all the training with their dogs but with their parent's support. It would be a great help if a member of your family (maybe your mum) could also go to training with you to watch so that they can see the methods used for training Ollie and maybe this might ignite some interest within the family and it would also enable some consistency with his training if one other person at least knows what you and Ollie are learning. You'll be surprised how much fun training classes can be. My Cocoa was a little devil >:D as a pup but she loved going to training and now does some agility which she really enjoys. Ollie is too young for agility at the moment but it is something maybe you could do with him when he is older but you need to do all the basics first of all.
I don't feel that it harms to keep Ollie and the small children apart. Children can overexcite puppies and this is when puppies are liable to nip and misbehave so maybe your mum is right in keeping him in the kitchen when they are at your house.
Good luck with whatever you do in the future with Ollie.
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Hi there - I have been following all your threads since you got Ollie and I am sorry you are having such a hard time of it - it really is a huge responsibility and a lot for you to deal with without support. I notice that you are in NW London. I live in the Muswell Hill/Highgate area of North London. I have Dora who is a year and one month. We are about to start some new training classes at the Barnet and District Dog Training Club - is this any good for you? It will probably take me an hour to get there on the bus but I think it is worth it. If you ever want to meet up locally for a bit of a chat and moral support, please feel free to PM me. It might help you to meet another cocker to see that Ollie is being a typical cocker! Lis.
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Thanks everyone. This morning was much better. We went to the pet shop to get a toy, and he was very well-behaved all the way there and back. I'm using his harness from now on as I think he respects it more, and even if he does pull and get over-excited, it doesn't hurt his neck, and it doesn't hurt our arms either. :005: I did some fetch with him in the garden with his new toy, and he was great. I gave him a treat every time he came back WITH the toy, and he drops it straight away too. He's going to play with his doggy friend this afternoon so he'll enjoy that. Going to do a bit of training in a minute, so I think this new timetable is working well, and I'm actually enjoying being around him and with him, and I think he enjoys it too. :D
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If your parents are responsible for Ollie but have no intention of training him or giving him any attention can I ask what will happen when you inevitably leave home.
I am not going to criticise you one bit for getting confused about the best thing to do...I am a grown woman and I struggled when we got Glen as some days he seemed to have been put on earth to ignore me or do the complete opposite from what I asked.
It does get better but surely you making all the effort to train and bond with Ollie is going to be pointless unless he gets to come with you when you leave home.
I really feel for you as it must be really hard for you trying to do this on your own without the consent of your family. :'(
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Thanks everyone. This morning was much better. We went to the pet shop to get a toy, and he was very well-behaved all the way there and back. I'm using his harness from now on as I think he respects it more, and even if he does pull and get over-excited, it doesn't hurt his neck, and it doesn't hurt our arms either. :005: I did some fetch with him in the garden with his new toy, and he was great. I gave him a treat every time he came back WITH the toy, and he drops it straight away too. He's going to play with his doggy friend this afternoon so he'll enjoy that. Going to do a bit of training in a minute, so I think this new timetable is working well, and I'm actually enjoying being around him and with him, and I think he enjoys it too. :D
Thats great. Sounds liks Oliver is a very smart puppy!
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Thanks everyone. This morning was much better. We went to the pet shop to get a toy, and he was very well-behaved all the way there and back. I'm using his harness from now on as I think he respects it more, and even if he does pull and get over-excited, it doesn't hurt his neck, and it doesn't hurt our arms either. :005: I did some fetch with him in the garden with his new toy, and he was great. I gave him a treat every time he came back WITH the toy, and he drops it straight away too. He's going to play with his doggy friend this afternoon so he'll enjoy that. Going to do a bit of training in a minute, so I think this new timetable is working well, and I'm actually enjoying being around him and with him, and I think he enjoys it too. :D
that's great news :D
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Thanks everyone. This morning was much better. We went to the pet shop to get a toy, and he was very well-behaved all the way there and back. I'm using his harness from now on as I think he respects it more, and even if he does pull and get over-excited, it doesn't hurt his neck, and it doesn't hurt our arms either. :005: I did some fetch with him in the garden with his new toy, and he was great. I gave him a treat every time he came back WITH the toy, and he drops it straight away too. He's going to play with his doggy friend this afternoon so he'll enjoy that. Going to do a bit of training in a minute, so I think this new timetable is working well, and I'm actually enjoying being around him and with him, and I think he enjoys it too. :D
that's great news :D
I agree - good news indeed, onwards and upwards hopefully aye ;)
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Great news ;)
How did you get on with the trainers you were going to contact? Hope you managed to get something organised ;)
Sue
ps wish I knew your name :shades:
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Well done Ollies 'Mum'. I'm sure you will get there in the end, you deserve to with all the work you have put in. These COL's are wonderful support and I have needed them even though we are on our 6th cocker (over nearly 40 years) there is always room to learn.
Kate x
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I'm Laura. :005: Thank you. I feel so much better. He saw his doggy friend today, and he had great fun, and it wore him out too. :005: Did some training this evening, and he loved it. Did leave, watch, and his current commands, and he was great. So smart. Got leave straight away and made the sit and down longer too before he got a treat, which worked well. I think the watch will take longer, but we'll get there. :D So happy. We've compromised on some things, like he doesn't have the lead on in the house as he doesn't really need it in the house. I think I have got a training school sorted, but still got to ring and talk about it, and go along and see, but so far so good. :D
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I'm Laura. :005: Thank you. I feel so much better. He saw his doggy friend today, and he had great fun, and it wore him out too. :005: Did some training this evening, and he loved it. Did leave, watch, and his current commands, and he was great. So smart. Got leave straight away and made the sit and down longer too before he got a treat, which worked well. I think the watch will take longer, but we'll get there. :D So happy. We've compromised on some things, like he doesn't have the lead on in the house as he doesn't really need it in the house. I think I have got a training school sorted, but still got to ring and talk about it, and go along and see, but so far so good. :D
Laura - that is great news ;)
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Fantastic news Laura...and you sound really happy. Keep at it and things will definitely get better for all of you. I'm sooo pleased to hear this. Please let us know how you get on with the training classes
Sue
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Great stuff, celebrate those successes - it looks like Harvey is never going to retrieve although he is great at find so this is really good progress. Remember to keep it up though as dogs need constant reminding to to commit to memory. we are having to start again with some as we now have a teenager who has hopefully only termporarily forgotten his training....
Do get on the training courses at it will also help socialise Ollie with lots of other dogs of all shapes and sizes as well as well as people of all ages
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Good news Laura - now you just need to remember how good you felt today when you are having a bad day with Ollie ;) You will have good days, bad days and awful days but in the long run you can look back and see how far you have both progressed. :D Good luck with the training - the sooner you can get started with a proper trainer the easier you will find it. ;)
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Hi Laura :D, Well done it sounds like the first steps to a great relationship starting with good training with Ollie. Like i said before training should be fun and that's what it seems you've experienced today. Again Very best of luck and i'm looking forward to hearing of his and your progress. ;)
Claire & Roxy x
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Thats really good news Laura, keep up the good work Oliver :D
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good news Laura, keep it up x
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Well done today, both of you :D
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Such a shame! Reuben is a nightmare with our cat, every time she goes to come in he chases her, when she does pluck up the courage to come in hes sat on her, and she has nowhere to jump as she cant move. My partner has said it is cruel and to see if we can rehome her (she is very much like a stray cat, who comes in to be fed and have a doze). Hes ripped wallpaper off to get at her when shes sat on the stairs too. Im hoping it gets better as he gets older. :-\
As for the barking at the guinea pigs, as soon as he starts, i let him see me at the door, then slightly shut it - he does come running back in - so now i just reward him when he looks in the hutch but doesnt bark. Not sure if its the right thing to do?
Hope you get some help. :luv:
We don't have rabbits but similar to tiamaria have two cats who our adolescent dog chases to play. He doesn't know his own strength and so my bengal (who is not scared of him) is not getting much peace. ::) We are doing relaxed downs with him when the cats are around if he is boisterous using clicker and treats in an effort to break the habit. When he is calm and resting he leaves them alone and says hello politely which is the behaviour we are encouraging. ;) TopBarks has put a vid on here of him teaching his new dog relaxed downs - it might be worth trying that with your puppy to see if it will help him to be more relaxed around the rabbits. ;)
As others have said he is very young at 5 months and their experience of gundog training is interesting. Please don't give up as he is just a baby really and with the right advice you can hopefully overcome this particular challenge ;)
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Patience ,patience ,patience and more patience I find this is the key to a good home for a Cocker~just seen this thread we are on our 3rd cocker each are different.We picked up Molly 4 weeks ago and one of her litter mates was sent back in the 1st week ~how sad is that? >:(
Good luck hope you get there with him its not easy sometimes but the good times do weigh out the bad times ;)