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Cocker Spaniels/Is biting around the corner, I'm worried...

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Expert: - 4/22/2009


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The Girls
Hi Delores, my goodness you have a long and lengthy list of helpful responses on Cocker Spaniels.  I have two wonderful cocker spaniel sisters, Bella and Willow, coming up on 2.5 years, more working cocker I think.  I was probably a little naïve and daft getting two puppies together however I had lost my 6 year old black working cocker whilst finishing building my house in the west of Ireland (lots of trauma all round).  Moving into the house without her was so terrible (I live by myself) that 8 weeks later I dived in head first and got two Rowan Cockers at 16 weeks old.  

Bella is relaxed, smart, loving and a real beauty to look at, Willow is timid, extremely intense, loving and very smart and I suspect the runt. From the beginning she has been so flighty we joke that a jumping bean is inside her, if a fly lands on her she leaves the ground.  At times she is so forceful and excited to get to you it is hard to pet, stroke and pay her attention, it has improved with me.  Not much has changed in their basic personality make-up to date. They were both scolded on a couple of occasions with regard to sheep, always done immediately, I’m sorry to say with a strong smack and 'no' vocalised.  I live in a remote area surrounded by sheep, and it was imperative that they learnt very quickly in this regard. They did, and we can have sheep all around us and they barely bat an eye.  

They are full of energy and one tend to leads the other so in the most basic of commands, training has been lengthy. For instance I realize that in order to try and stop them jumping and hurling themselves at people and running towards other dogs I often yell (all wrong, never smacked in relation to people training) I try to practice the three P’s daily!  

My difficulty and concern is mostly with Willow.   She has developed a pattern with people and dogs (generally strangers) where she barks ferociously and jumps towards them which is very disarming for me and them.  This happens out walking and also at the house. I know it is out of a combination of protection and fear but she ‘pinched’ someone recently who was striding towards us on the other side of a gate (my Mum said he was a little dramatic!)  She also threatened similar behaviour last week at my Mums when someone came to the door.  And then again when someone came to the house, my Mum decided to let the person in while the dogs were put away and then introduce the dogs.  The lady knows them and is a dog owner and went to let Willow sniff her hand and she barked intensely with a quick jump toward her.  I feel as if nipping or biting may wait around the corner. They are both currently coming out of season, Willow a little behind Bella (I plan to have them neutered). This pattern has been increasing but it is the ‘lunging / jumping’ towards the person that has me very tense.  They both tend to bark at children, although Bella has a croup type almost ‘husky’ bark so it’s not as frightening for children as Willows.  I have had babies and toddlers staying and they have been extremely gentle.

They adapt to any situation after a short spell, it is the initial ‘meet and greet’ that has me very worried.

They sleep in the utility room at night.  Never on Sofa or furniture, unless I falls asleep and they try to creep up quietly!  Walk every day, beach, hills, bog at least an hour.  Healthy all round, only at the vet for jabs etc (touch wood).  They allow me trim them, wash them.  I work a lot from home so they are with me most of the day.  I am aware that by the nature of where we live they are lacking in the socializing side of life.  

I feel I’m letting them down  if I don’t seek some help.  I think it is a Trainer come to the house scenario that may offer the best results.  I feel a bit useless so I would really love to get any advice that you may have to offer as I adore my two canine friends.  Sorry this is soooo long winded..


Answer
First let me say it's a pleasure to hear from such a good owner and with such minimal problems :)  But they are problems and need to be solved.

So...it's the initial meeting that's the issue.  I have to ask what your "attitude" is during this?  Dogs pick up "vibes" from their pack leader.  Are you tense?  What do you do when they behave like this?

The key to training is to "anticipate" behavior and stop it before the dog is in full flight.  And why aren't both of them neutered at this age?

So my first question would be:  Willow is barking and lunging...what are you doing?  And you can anticipate this behavior so how are you handling that?  Yelling, as you well know, is wrong.  Dogs don't respond to hysteria but DO respond to calm authority.  You seem to have done that quite nicely with the sheep situation :) - what's holding you back now?

And oh yes, two dogs the same age do indeed edge each other on...I know that only too well having two 4 year olds.  Each one will pick up the other's bad habits.

so the basic question is:  You KNOW this is going to happen - what are you doing to correct it beforehand?  That's our starting point.
Delores

Cocker Spaniels

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Delores Beck

Expertise

Health, nutrition, training. Please note: I used to highly recommend Innova products but, unfortunately, as with Canidae, they have sold out to Proctor & Gamble. This guarantees lower quality to a dangerous point so I will no longer be advising anyone to buy it.

Experience

20 years of owning this breed.

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Psychology, MA

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