Bonnie is a blue roan rescue cocker, abandoned by an illegal puppy farm when her medical problems outweighed her profiting the farm
We have had her since April 2002 and have had numerous medical and behavioural problems with her which over the months have improved considerably, the behavioural problems are mainly in connection with my hubby. She is adorable, very slightly nervous, but not agressive. She is not afraid of new people or men.
The one thing that we have not been able to cure is her reluctance to "enjoy" herself when out for walks with hubby - on his own, or on a one to one with hubby at work or at home unless I am with her or someone else. It has been suggested that on a one to one, she finds it too intense.
It manifests itself in not eating/drinking, head slightly down and tail pointing southwards. Bonnie is so well behaved and will do what ever he asks but never happily. Its distressing for all and we were hoping that someone may be able to advice me on what we can do.
We have been receiving help from a behaviourist but alas she has moved to Spain, but from her advice we are now coming to the end of a 6 week session where I have not done anything with Bonnie, including eye contact, feeding, walking etc. This has worked tremendously on all her other problems except for this one big problem It may not sound much, but it is when she starves herself for two days and is then sick!
She can go all day until I return from work and THEN she will drink/eat.
We normally (when not doing the "ignoring bit") "share" Bonnie during working days, both of us luckily being able to take her to work with us. She is fine with me and with customers. The only time Bonnie comes out of her "shell" when with hubby is if when there are other people around, even strangers.
We would really like to cure this problem because she is obviously distressed, but we're not sure how to go about it.
Any suggestions would be so helpful. Bonnie has gone through so much in her 4 years of life and has so much to give.