5-month-old Cocker Spaniel Ruby is coming into early season and gaining attitude. She is increasingly growling at their other Cocker – Chester. He’s 18 months old. It’s like she now goads him until he reacts and then, if not interrupted, a fight develops. Most of the time they play and Read more
Four-year-old Ellie lived with several other Cocker Spaniels for the first two years of her life. She then went to live with the lady and for the first time in her life was left all alone – if only for a few hours. Where other dogs had been her constant Read more
Some dogs dig holes, some chase tales, some hump, some bark. Many have to chew something as an item in the mouth is self-calming. Jensen is a chewer. If it’s not someone’s hands, it’s the throw on the sofa or his bedding.
Bailey is one of those dogs who doesn’t much like being touched unless she’s initiated it. Imposing touching upon her. This is usually when they want to make her do something that she doesn’t want to do. They impose touching upon her. They came to me because they need to Read more
A dog that doesn’t welcome people into his home is a problem made much more common by lockdown. Working Cocker Vinnie’s owners refer to his behaviour as ‘aggressive’, but that is only because they can’t find another, better word. We know that he’s not an ‘aggressive dog’. The barking and nipping Read more
My latest case, six-month-old Mollie, is a little different from most in that the two main things that seem to activate the guarding in most dogs don’t apply.
Today’s online session was for a young Cocker Spaniel called Theo! My namesake! Cocker spaniels that guard and growl I frequently work with Cocker Spaniels that guard resources and growl. The two main ingredients for changing this behaviour are less arousal and the humans changing their own behaviour. Theo will Read more
Bella has always been a bit defensive when approached by other dogs. She just wants to be left in peace. The four-year-old Cocker Spaniel lived in harmony with older Cocker Mikey. Then the family added two puppies to their Cocker Spaniel gang – Bonnie and Nellie. The pups are now Read more
Three weeks ago Cocker Spaniels Monty and Teddy were playmates – if sometimes a bit rough. Now they are sworn enemies. Monty is one year old and they have had 8-month-old Teddy for three months now. It exploded three weeks ago. Apart from out on walks, they have been bitter Read more
Cocker Spaniel Pippin, like many other ‘lockdown’ pups, isn’t used to being left all alone. He’s now sic months old. The young couple work from home and seldom have any need to leave him alone. However, they would like more freedom and realise that if he can’t be left it Read more