Sorry if I appear frustrated but the things suggested are already in place! He has dozens of toys - Kongs, chewing rings etc and his 'brothers' for company. He has constant stimulation during the day - outside or inside with my husband or myself (we are very doggy and now both retired). No he doesnt do gundog training but two of three times a week he does obedience work in our field - he is really trainable and very bright. So...it is when he is left he seems to get stressed and destructive - apart for taking him to the loo/ bath etc I am 'stuck'. I will be doing more puppy activity classes with him the autumn - maybe that will help. I will also check there is nothing in his diet that might be causing the problem - I have emailed RC.
Thanks everyone - I dont mean to be ungrateful ..I am just at a loss what else to do!
Hey look I'm no expert, I got my first cocker just a couple of months back and he's now 4 months....
But you are frustrating me now!
You said on your 3rd post on this thread that you do BASIC obedience-type training INFREQUENTLY
People on here are telling you to do more training, mental stimulation, using a clicker etc... Now as I say I'm no expert and I've got tough times to come as well I'm sure. But I do perhaps 2/3 sessions of 10-15 of full on training (keeping it fun of course not regimental style) every day! Now I'm not trying to be holier than thou about that, but if you want help and my opinion that's the very minimum of what you need to be doing with a working cocker...
If I didn't do this I know that mine would be going crazy around the place.
I'll also add that being outside all day doesn't mean a thing. Your dog needs the stimulation of going out on proper walks with you, not just out and about, pottering around all day as that won't help with the behaviour problems one bit.
As I say, I'm on my first cocker, 1st puppy, 1st dog in my adult life - you've clearly got tons more experience than me, so shoot me down if you want to - however reading your posts I can see why you're having problems. You really do need to listen up to what you're being told - more training, more structure, more stimulation etc etc...
Oh and good luck of course!!