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Cocker Spaniels/my 2months cocker has temper tantrums
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Question
Hi!
)
I have a 9 weeks female cocker spaniel.. I’ve had her for 3 weeks now.. She got separated from her mother early cause the mother was too stressed to be with the puppies.. she was supposed to be the more calm of the litter and she was so cute when we got her..
The thing is that she’s transformed now, she’s having this awful temper tantrums with growling and barking when we’re leaving to work.. and the worst part is that she is having it with me, when she tries it with my husband he firmly says NO and she goes back to have her tantrum with me.. I know that I don’t represent a figure of authority and respect cause I spoil her too much, but even when she’s biting me, and growling and barking at me and my husband says NO she ignores him..
My theory is that she knows she’s going to stay alone at the apartment and that’s why she had the tantrum, but I’m worried because I don’t want her to become an aggressive dog when she grows..
We live in a 80m2 apartment, where she has full access to the whole thing, except the bathroom.. and we leave her alone 3 days a week 9.5 straight hours, we always leave the radio on with soft romantic music so she doesn’t feel alone, with food and clean water..
She doesn’t have dog walks yet, because she’s missing one vaccine (she’ll get her shot on july 31st), and we bought her the training pads.. sometimes she does her stuff there, sometimes she doesn’t but we only correct her when we catch her doing it.. (I think she’s too little to remember she peed outside and she won’t understand why we correct her)..
We’re planning to take her to obedience school too, we’re trying but she’s not helping!
What can I do to get her to obey me too, and to stop her tantrums!?
Also, could you please answer to my mail, !
Thanks beforehand,
First of all, at her age she needs to be bed 4 to 5 times a day and really shouldn't be left alone that long.
As for the temper - the next time she growls, get down on her level and STARE into her eyes while calmly but firmly saying NO. Do not lose eye contact. Count to 3 - say NO again - and continue until SHE breaks eye contact. You just won!
No yelling - don't touch her - no scolding - just NO and a Clint Eastwood stare! And be physically still - don't wave your hands at her.
This is total alpha behavior on your part. In a pack if she was annoying the alpha leader, first she'd get a low warning growl (NO) - then the alpha would stare at her. Most puppies understand they're about to get into something they can't win, so back off.
Do this every single time and it'll be history in a week.
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Questioner's Rating
| Rating(1-10) | Knowledgeability = 10 | Clarity of Response = 10 | Politeness = 10 |
| Comment | Thanks for your answer! I'll try that and if it doesn't work I will write again! thanks, | ||
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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.
Education/Credentials
Psychology, MA
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