Hard day with dog (7mo). Can anyone reassure/ advise?

[belindarose]

Springer spaniel. He was neutered last week so is on enforced short lead walks until his check up on Sunday. Been good about his wound so we've been able to leave the big collar thing off.

Today just seems a really bad day. The weather is dire so he doesn't want to go in the garden. Everything my toddler wants to do has led to him 'ruining it' - lots of jumping up to the table to take her playdough etc. I had to crate him while another toddler was here and he's usually fine with that - but barked so much today that the children were frightened.

He's had a whole big rawhide bone already today so I don't want to give him another. Can't get out anywhere to find alternatives as I'm stranded with no car.

The tug a jug is occupying him for minutes at a time, otherwise he's wandering around looking for toddler toys to bring to me.

We've started clicker training and been doing it a few weeks. I'm doing 5 or 10 minutes at intervals throughout the day. Trying to train not to 'counter surf' folllowing the kikopup technique on YouTube. It's very slow progress.

Any ideas how to get through the next few days without a decent run? Any good things to practice? We're doing 'in your bed' and 'on the mat' as well as a few tricks alongside the counter surfing stuff. Should I totally ignore barking? And what do people do about 'drop it'? I've been treating when he drops, but that does nothing to teach him not to pick up in the first place. Will he grow out of that habit?

Sorry for long post. Recall gone to pot too but getting a long line and training recall following Jean Donaldson in the culture clash.

[minimuu]

I am afraid it is get your wellies on and a long long lead walk! He can be exercised but just not off lead so long walk this pm!

Teach a leave it rather than a drop it but prevention is better so try not to leave things around that he can pick up if he is not meant to.

Barking - depends on why he is barking out of frustration, give him thing to do so not frustrated, if out of fear desensitize to the cause etc. If out of boredom then yes I would ignore but again try to prevent it happening.

Roll on Sunday but don't be afraid to exercise him on lead though

[belindarose]

Thanks, I know he wants to get out more! The vet said only short 10 minute walks though. I've written a training plan to make myself feel proactive. We're practising 'leave it' but also have to do 'drop it' as toddler not so easy to train to put all her toys away!

I've got nice new wellies!

[minimuu]

If he had his op last week and he is counter surfing a walk on lead will do him less damage and give you more peace

Was there a specific reason for only 10 mins exercise a day, a week on from the op? I have a rescue dog with me who is 6 days after undescended testicle castration on more than 10 mins a day.

Give your vet a call maybe - you have got to use those new wellies!

[CalamityKate]

Barking is one of those unwanted behaviours that ignoring won't always work for. It's quite a self-rewarding behaviour. Dogs just seem to like the sound of their own voices and especially if it's boredom driving the barking, you can ignore it all you like - he'll still do it because it's kind of fun...

I'd be trying to get the barking on cue, and teaching a "quiet" command into the bargain.

[belindarose]

Much better afternoon. Fairly decent walk - they said 10 minutes 3 times a day, minimuu, I think to just break the day up for him. Lots of work on lying on a mat, building up the duration (with clicker) while dd played at the table and had her tea. Some nice hide the treat games.

I'm reading about teaching to bark/ stop on command. Haven't needed to do it before as he never really barked before this week.