The Zim Family Cocker Spaniel Forum

Hey!

I posted about my little Charley, now I'm back with another issue...

Because of his amazing beauty and cuteness, when we go for walks everyone stops us and pet him and hug him and the first times I was really proud and excited about it and he turns out to love people and kids sooo much....but this developed into a very annoying issue!

He became very spoiled outside! In the house, he is listening to me, he respects his limits and he is simply perfect but when we go out he simply stopped listening to me! he is simply running to all people on the street, even if they are not calling him or pay him any attention and if I hold him from doing this, he simply lays down and refuses to move. he just looks at me with that gorgeous cocker eyes and then turns his head and looks like he prepares for sleep. I tried to get his attention and keep him to move forward with his favorite treats but he is simply not interested in food as much as he is interested in people. some people are not dogs fans or they just don't see him and he was about to be stepped on several times plus people shouting at me to keep my dog away! while they make me angry, I do understand them!
He is laying down in front of the apartment building also and just refuses to go out and waiting to be carried. * i don't carry my dog, he has 4 legs, I have 2, he can walk better than me. and he's the one needing exercise!

Also the first times we went outside we actually found a dog park close to us so I was very excited to have him socialized with all kind of doggies! But Charley simply doesn't care about the other dogs, he is just going to the people and waiting near them to be pet and get treats! I do pet my dog and give lots of affection, so I know it's not about the lack of attention! I asked the people there to ignore him, thinking he might just go and play with the other puppies but his reaction is just ridiculous, he comes between my legs and goes to sleep!
We took a second puppy (different breed) that Charley helped us choose from the pound according to his level of energy and he loves his little brother and home they are playing very much, outside he goes into his normal ignore behavior. We took Ike thinking he will help Charley realize that it's much more fun to be with dogs. the other pup, Ike, is enjoying his puppyhood and adores playing with the other dogs. When we reach home, Charley has an explosion of energy and this is really driving all of us insane! Ike included! I really just don't get this kind of behavior and really need some opinions or advices on how to stop this. Both of them are in good sleep schedule so I know he is not lacking sleep.....I'm desperate

Thank you for your time!
Alex

Puppy class is needed, find a Martingale Leash that should last a life time, ours came from All Hounds Apparel, Makes Dog Collars and Leashes. Tell him no or leave it with a Stearn jerk and if he obeys give him a treat. I like natural balance treats on a roll like a salami stick, cut up small chunks.

Don't use a harness system.

Forget the natural Balance treats wheat and sugar in them now, not good.

Isn't he a bit too small for the collar? He's 4 months and a half now...

I will try to find some class for puppies....

Any other suggestions? :D

thank you very much all! dunno what i would do without this forum :)

Look for a Martingale Leash I know you don't know what I'm saying look it up.

Collar Sizes
How to Determine a Size
To determine the correct collar length, measure your dog’s neck at the smallest point (usually right behind the ears). Choose the collar that covers this size.

Width is largely a personal choice, keeping in mind 2 basic factors:

Wider collars are more comfortable
Dogs with short necks look weird with wide collars

You may find the following helpful in making your decision:
Collar Width Ideal For...
3/4 Inch Very small or short necked dogs such as: Italian Greyhound, Shi-Tsu, or Pug.
1 Inch Small to medium dogs such as: Cocker Spaniel, Beagle, or Basset Hound.
1 1/2 Inch Medium to large dogs such as: Labs, Retrievers or Collies.
2 Inch Very large, long necked dogs such as: Greyhounds and Borzois.
Fitting the Collar
Adjust the collar so that, when pulled, the metal sliders are about 1 inch apart. When loose the collar should easily slip onto your dog’s head but be slightly difficult to slip off.
What is a Martingale Collar?
A martingale collar is also called a limited choke collar or a humane choke collar. It is in fact the gentlest version of the choke collar for two basic reasons:

The amount of ‘choke’ can be controlled, and,
The design of the collar provides for even pressure to the dog’s neck rather than pulling at the throat.

The martingale collar is ideal for dogs who tend to slip their heads out of flat collars. For these dogs, the collar can be adjusted to fit their neck exactly so that when they pull, they cannot escape, but at the same time they are not being choked.

I don't like this system but it's an idea, mine is all one like a dog show leash about an inch wide that slips over his head. Now we use the 24 foot roller leash after he learned how to walk and what his limits are.

Look up Martingale leashes. This is just a collar, I'm talking about all in one.

Yes you should have a collar with his dog tags and license with rabies shot, maybe his name and a phone number and address if he runs away that could be called.

Remember this could be 15 years out of your life Allexys you have to take care of it, about as smart as a two to three year old human baby. Always looking for trouble they are.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E84VS2M1SLk

http://www.amazon.com/Mendota-Martingal ... supplies_5

This is the idea but mine is all flat all one piece and has a pattern.

No pet store will have one, maybe at a dog show or Amazon, I'm not happy with that product there.

How are you going to handle your spoiled puppy at a puppy class if it's not on a leash? Have your parents look in the phone book for city run classes, maybe a feed store, or even a vet has classes. We have all three here.

Martingale Leashes, there are two pieces a collar and a snap leash I don't like that. I like all in one for training. My wife likes that leash over the collar with the clip on leash.

It's so nice to have a kind of trained dog. It's like a child there's that time they will want to run out in that street, I hope I can trust my dog today and the next.

ok, I tried to find some classes, there are no puppy classes in this country. They are just for training hunting dogs or guard dogs...they don't even train service dogs....so fail.

About the leash I really don't feel comfortable with any kind of "choke" so it is not the tool for me and my dog. I will try to ask more of this to my vet so maybe he can assure me about it but I really don't think so. Charley is not pulling on the leash, he just simply lays down and I really don't think choking him will be a solution. I am switching to a normal collar that is loose and gives me the opportunity to give a short correction, but just to get the attention, not to choke him.

So thank you for the suggestion (and before the message, I did search about the collar and lead and I understood "what are you talking about", I have internet also)

Thanks

It's your choice to call it a choke. Look at all those choked up show dogs.

Joe

HI Alex!

Your Charley sounds adorable! I went back to read his history and I think it's wonderful that you took him in like you did. I know that you are doing everything you know to make sure he is a happy, healthy little boy!

One thing you need to remember is Charley has a lot of issues to over come. First the fact that he lost his mother so early and second the fact that he was a singleton. Those are big issues for a little pup. One of the things that his mom and sibling might have taught him automatically, is dog to dog manners and how to play and act like a dog. You've done a great job getting him a playmate for home but it sounds like he isn't translating that outside of his comfort zone of home. The dog park sounds like it's too much for him to handle. At a dog park you have no control over who or what will be there. And I find that the owners are worse than the dogs. Is it possible to find a couple people from the park with calm dogs and arrange a time when the park isn't busy to play? When my dog was a pup she wasn't very good with other animals either... she still doesn't like over enthusiastic dogs coming at her. What I did was I found a small dog play group with a leader who is trained in dog body language. (they also had a couple very calm large dogs) At first Chessie did the same thing Charley does... she stayed right between my feet. I never forced her to do anything but every once in a while I would move to a different spot. She would follow and be right back in between my legs. It took weeks before she would start to move away from me a bit. Finally one very persistent, but not overwhelming, dog got her to play with him! VICTORY! It didn't take long after that initial contact for her to venture out away from me to play. It was a long process though. The key was she needed to feel secure before she got her confidence. It took many weeks of Chessie watching the other dogs. Again... I never forced her and when I saw she was getting overwhelmed I removed her from the area for a time and bring her back after a bit.

Now about that leash issue.....

Charley is not too young for a leash and collar (a regular collar is fine) ... it is for his protection especially if he is not listening to you outside! That is normal and it is also normal for a puppy to fight the leash at first! Don't give up! Here is what I would try....

It sounds like there are too many distractions outside for Charlie. Try putting the leash and collar on in the house and walk around with him there where there are less distractions. If food isn't working perhaps a squeaky toy? Also use your voice to encourage! I would bend down and wiggle my fingers and say pup, pup, pup. Did I mention using your voice to encourage? LOL Every step he takes, even if he just turns in the direction you want you pup to go would be the time to praise praise praise! What a good boy! Your such a good boy! That a boy! Good Boy! Good job! Yeah nice walk! (I do NOT use Come! Especially if he is ignoring you ... you don't want to teach him to ignore that word.) When you feel he's ready then go a head and try it outside but perhaps at a time when it's not too busy.

The other thing I would do is use that desire to be with people... sure he can go get petted... but only if he walks nicely on his leash. Remember what you allow now, you will have to live with for a long time. So be in control of that leash.... he pulls... you stop. He stops and lies down.... use what I wrote above... your voice! If he still ignores you.... walk a foot a way and turn away from him. Use the fact that Cockers like to be with their owners to your advantage. When he gets up and comes over to you... praise praise praise! (it may take a while so be patient) Think of it this way... he's like a toddler, wanting their indepence but doesn't have any manners. It's up to you to teach what is and is not acceptable. You may have be creative and act a bit foolishly sometimes ... But if you are patient, persistent, and Consistent Charley will be a great dog!

And those people who want to pet him (I don't allow anyone to "hug" my dog) .. use them too! If they want to interact with your dog then they should be willing to follow your rules. One of my rules is you can't pet my dog unless she is semi under control... that means either sitting or lying down. it's harder for the people than the dog LOL. Kids are especially great trainers though. They love when you let them have the responsibility to help teach your dog to sit. Always have treats that Charley loves and allow them to train him. (one at a time)

By the way... Charley is still a baby... there is no shame in picking him up and removing him from the danger of being stepped on when he is being stubborn. But I would not pet or talk to him, not even to chastise (or allow anyone else to either) if you have to do this.

Good luck!

Hey Lisa,

I just wanna thank you for all the great advice you gave me and we are going to start right away! I'll let you know how it goes.

And you are really right, the people is what I fear most, it will be difficult for them to really listen to instructions. Most of them chose to raise their dogs like they are children and a spoiled child is normal (in their perspective).

I'll update about progress...

I don't agree with jerking dogs and I don't agree with using choke collars... this can cause internal injuries especially in a young pup like this. You simply need to teach your puppy that not everyone wants to say hi! This is news to him because up to now, you basically let him from what you are saying; he now needs to learn something new.

What kinds of treats have you used? Are they really high value like cooked meat, cooked liver, dried fish etc? Then sit yourself down somewhere where people walk past, but not too close (ie. on a park bench) and then give your pup a treat every time someone walks past (hold the treat whilst the person is walking past, then give or give several treats whilst they are walking past depending on how well your pup pays attention). You will get to a stage where you puppy will look up to you as soon as he spots a person because he will expect the treat. Then you can start walking past people and go closer to them.

As you know it is extremly important to socialise your puppy and you are doing a great job. But you also need to make sure that your puppy learns that he can't go up to anyone unless they invite him. Do make sure that you also get him to sit nicely when people say hello so he learns good manners right from the start.