The fostered dog has settled in really well with us (one week on). A handsome lad in honey, he is well sorted, no guarding, pacing and very little seperation anxiety. He is a cuddle monster and is at his happiest to be asleep in physical contact with me (I'm not really used to that !) His recall is fine and has been allowed to toilet and plytime off lead in the garden. The play is highly energetic (as expected) e.g. today it focused on a large flower pot, chucking it and catching on the fly and playing oit like a ball.
He's great on our walks, but not yet been off lead - lack of social contact means he avoids other dogs and one off lead Springer got a firm telling off when he came too close.
I take him every morning and late night around a block to toilet - as soon as he's done this all he wants to do is run home. I've never come across this before, any ideas on how to stop this ?
Last edited by: R.P. on Fri 16 Aug 24 at 00:03
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>>The play is
>> highly energetic (as expected) e.g. today it focused on a large flower pot, chucking it
>> and catching on the fly and playing oit like a ball.
Be careful, I used to take a boomerang on walks to try and tire one of my dogs. She quickly learned its characteristics and would catch it in the air. I packed it in when I noticed bleeding at the base of a tooth.
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Sounds like the family and he is doing well, and you have made huge progress.
Lets start with your main question. Wanting to go home as soon as he has toileted. This is a manifestation of separation anxiety. Not just the dog, but you as well. Its a new dog, you, naturally are not sure, have worries that evaporate when you are in home/garden, dog knows. Dog is happy there as well so, ergo, lets get back there ASAP. Dont forget you have non dog issues at home you are worried about. You both may have separation issues.
Its a bit early to start worrying about stuff like that, and its too picky and insignificant to focus and isolate on what you think is a "problem" that will resolve itself over time. However you can use it to your advantage*
Now the general lecture.
I'm sure you know operant conditioning. (clicker training)*, you think you know spaniels. Sure they are all bat crazy given the chance, but they are all different when the battery is pulled out. Its a new personality that you need to know. Its fab that its a "loves contact dog" makes them so much easier to bond with.
* The clicker reward Ball, Ball, Ball. They are not food driven, they want a ball. Blatantly Obviously have a ball in your pocket about your person.. Dog on long line. Do your walk, do your poo, show dog the ball, walk on to a safe area, chuck ball for dog. (long line helps here if you are still worried about recall) do that a few times. Extend the distance you walk between poo and play over time.
Meeting other dogs? Spaniels are not naturally social with other dogs.
Train a formal sit, in front of you. Other dogs approach call yours to your sit position. Dog will focus on you (you are ball source dont forget) when other dog has gone, reward with ball.
Finally think of a sport to do with your dog. Spaniels love Hoopers. And you dont have to move around too much!
Its only a week, stop worrying.
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Thanks Zero. We have a long line, worked very well with the last foster. He's not shown any SA when I go out which is great. I left him on the Thursday for a couple of hours under an indoor camera. Just fell asleep in his crate. I get the point that the returning home thing is likely to be separation anxiety. Will use his ball fixation to train him, (apart from my old Working Cocker) to a squeaky ball.
Mrs RP was due to have surgery today, now postoponned to tomorrow. It looks a lot worse than first feared.
He's a great little hound, he'll be spelndid to work with I'm sure.
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So glad things are going well with the pooch RP and best wishes for Mrs RP tomorrow.
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>> Mrs RP was due to have surgery today, now postoponned to tomorrow. It looks a
>> lot worse than first feared.
Sounded from your initial description that screws etc were going to be required. Best wishes from me too.
Can't offer any advice re the dog but I'm following because your 'lad' has some of the same characteristics my son's Spaniel, a neutered bitch, has displayed.
Last edited by: Bromptonaut on Sat 17 Aug 24 at 15:55
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Mrs RP had surgery today. Three hour op from leaving ward to arriving on a post op ward. Still "in custody" as she said this evening, hoping to get conditional bail tomorrow. She broke one bone in three places and the other in two. I admire her stoicism although she admits the early post op nearly had her in tears. Luckily she kept paying her subs to the Police Re-hab centre in Harorgate so in due course will get a week there under first class physios. I'll need a holiday by then !
In other news, the dog has continued to settle, getting a little cheekier now, but still full of love for life and his new slave. The accidental mini-pees have stopped but the desire to return home after short toileting walks continue, but his fasicnation with his surroundings on the long mid day walk continue. He asked for his afternoon meal today, this was a first rather than being presented. He appears well trained and sits before his meal is presented and will only eat on the word "ok". He is different to the other spaniels I've owned !I've banned him from entering the bedroom area of our house, but sits pateintly at the connecting door (which is kept closed) this saves a lot of housework. He is crate trained and happily rests or goes to bed there. I'm not sure who is charge of who atm but his company is great I love him dearly.
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I managed 3 visits to Harrogate during my serice and still pay into the scheme.
Nothing better to speed up the healing process.
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Mrs RP carried on with her subs as well. At least she's home now and directing operations as per. Crutches caused a little wobble, adapted.
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Dog Question - 2022 Working Cocker - bathtub tom
