Ninety percent of the time five-year-old Show Cocker Rufus is the perfect dog.
Recent growling and nipping
Just recently he has begun to object when restrained or lifted. This might be when towelled down after a walk or lifted by the vet or groomer.
He will know that something is going to happen that he doesn’t like for some reason. The lady, understandably, worries about her grandchildren.
As it’s a recent development I advised the lady takes him to the vet to rule out pain of any sort.
Selective recall
The other thing we are looking into is his selective recall. Off lead on an open beach he is off!
One could look at it in a positive light. Most of the time Rufus does come back. It’s when the call of something else wipes out all relevance of the lady! This can be when on the beach – or in their own large field that isn’t secure.
Rufus has discovered a way under the fence. Outside the field are sheep – and a main road.
Rufus isn’t interested in the sheep. That doesn’t mean he’s not in danger of a farmer shooting him, seeing him alone amongst them.
Dislike of being manhandled
For the lady herself to lift him, she can work on a willing ‘up’. She can start with sitting on the floor and Rufus jumping onto her lap. She can then sit on a chair and then get him to jump into her arms.
He objects to her lifting him into the sink after a muddy walk.
Now she can lift a more willing dog.
Next she needs to ‘decontaminate’ the sink – make it a welcome place to be. She can have him jump into her arms and then have some fun or food in an empty sink. Gradually add water to the process.
(Meanwhile he’s perfectly happy to walk into the shower).
I suggest muzzling for the vet, though the lady herself could do any lifting onto the table.
I suggest she changes groomers. She tells me the current groomer said she had to ‘drag’ him. She needs to find a holistic groomer who can take their time and who understands dog behaviour. Understands how to let the dog feel he has choice.
Coming when called!
This all hinges on the lady herself being equally or more relevant. More exciting or interesting, than the environment.
Also an automatic response when the lady calls him. Something repeated so many times that his reaction is to run back to her without questioning it. A bit like we instantly put our hands out when thrown a ball .
She can build this response at home with a whistle. Multiple repetitions of pairing the sound of the whistle with food. She can make the food varied so it’s as enticing as possible. Or she could reward with a game or even scatter feeding.
Then to only use the whistle when he’s coming anyway or when she knows that he will come. No chance to rehearse ignoring that whistle!
A long line
Meanwhile management is paramount. At times when he’s likely to escape her property, she should anchor Rufus on a long line. On the beach when the lady hasn’t got an extra hour to spare until he feels like coming back, he should be on the long line.
Calling (or whistling) multiple times only for Rufus to ignore her, merely devalues her call.
Rufus is a happy, affectionate and fun companion who has a wonderful life.
