Got invited for dinner and came home with a Spaniel.

[TotallyBursar]

And I'm still not entirely sure how they managed it

So after dealing with losing our big lad (risk #1 - room for one more) and giving ourselves permission to have a nice, easy puppy for the first time in years, instead of the high needs, unwanted and unwell we usually get, I've got a Cocker spaniel curled up in my lap...I suspect Jedi tendencies on behalf of my rellies!

Yep, instead of our puppy we have a 2 year old Cocker who has a collection of stress related anti social behaviours.
Jolly good .

She adores DH and is currently in my lap peering around me to flirt at him

I can't say I'm not happy about it because she's got the bones of a beautiful, generous and solid dog and I look forward to meeting the real her but I really would like to know how it happened? It's a bit of a blur 'coat, phone, dog, yep. See you next week' 'Wait...what?'
I suspected collusion on DH's part but he says not.
Surely it can't be the pure, unicorn-esque, power of long black eyelashes and soft brown eyes alone? Or will I have to admit I am softer than Mr Whippy?
Oh well, progress diary ahoy.

Oh those poor wee things, Juliet! Some people are just so stupid and cruel.

Aww Mistlethrush Heidi is gorgeous!

That's a great story. We vaguely went to look at a dog with no real intention of committing, and brought her home in a washing basket. (naive)

Juliet but thank goodness for you, poor little mites.

I don't think we've ever managed to go out, find a wean and commit; all the animals here are second/third/fourth hand. We have such a band of misfits but we're all one happy family (including a ferret that wants to be a cat and cats that were raised from 3 weeks with the aid of my bitch so have decided to be dogs, badly ).
I watch them some nights and get so angry at the casual cruelty and arrogance that caused them to be here (although our gain) I think because no matter how much money or space we could never stop it or help enough. So we do the best we can and I drink and seethe.
At least this girl has always been loved and not known fear or neglect.
Sometimes I read posts and think 'we live in the age of technology and you couldn't even do the most cursory Google before purchasing a life?' Bah

Bursar - I know what you mean - ours was 2+ when we got her. She wasn't housetrained. She jumps in a way that suggests that she only had a high window to look out of. She's been kicked in the past. The third time she ended up in the pound her previous owners didn't bother to reclaim her.

She's lovely. We really could not have found a better dog to suit us - she wants to be with us, she is happy to have as much exercise as we can throw at her, but content with a decent walk a day. She loves playing with DS and is happy to sleep for hours a day.

Mistlethrush - but it sounds like she couldn't be happier with you. Poor little girl.

Everlong- Dunno yet entirely . She was an elderly, close relatives dog and is a black and white ticked, very pretty - if you like that sort of thing. I think they were lulled by her siblings, parents and looks but forgot the others were so good because of the work put into them.

So far we -
Don't like the postman/knocking on the door.

Very scared of other dogs, particularly on lead, and gobby with it.

Is not well mannered outside of the house (I think she was hard work so walks just got less frequent, she's very bored) she lunges, stops dead, twists and thrashes and chews the lead as well. Currently she is not a joy to walk.

Bolts - tries to bolt out of the house and into roads as well on walks.

Is tennis ball obsessed, pathologically, anxiety driven obsessed. No one shall touch it on pain of death, bar the ball thrower.

Chews - everything including herself.

Would growl if either previous owner interrupted affection from the other.
I think that's all for now, I'm sure she'll throw up a few more.
So a little bit of work to be done. She was a very stressed and anxious little dog and unfortunately her more difficult behaviours were unintentionally reinforced because the advice they were given was pack theory based so she was given attention only when in situations that really stressed her out and they were advised to shout and dominate her when misbehaving...which clearly worked brilliantly .
When she got worse he said she was obviously an unwell and potentially dangerous dog and washed his hands of them. I had told them to avoid this bloke like the plague, but they thought my methods were 'soft' and are bloody fools.
Still it won't be long before she is a much happier puppy which is the main thing.
I feel like I should be writing an epilogue this is so long! Sorry.

OP I take my hat off to you, I really do

Keep hold of it Lingham or she'll chew it!

Well, where are we, day 3? Today we had a nice walk (even though I got tipped into a bush because of the long line, but it was my fault so) she is starting to engage with us and now has a nice heel and wait. Not cracked recall with distractions or got her totally ok with bikes and joggers but, early days.
Getting on top of the barking but I'm fine with that taking a little longer because she needs time to relax and trust us.
She is bright as a button but has been underworked for so long she's stubborn and used to being in charge but also bored and naughty - tricky to get cooperating as not fussed with food, toys or affection in the face of pretty much anything else she wants to do, even The Ball holds no appeal but manageable with common sense even if I was sorely tempted to give her a kick up the arse when she was being very bratty . So some shocks for her 'what do you mean 'stop walking on the table' why? I want that food'.
At least she's not an antisocial bugger on walks anymore and much more acceptable in the house.
There's a lot they didn't mention, I don't think they realised she would tell us!

As if you wouldn't find out!!!

Glad to hear that it sounds as though things are going in a positive direction.

We've managed to stop the general counter surfing (and believe me, a long lurcher with springs in her toes is EXPERT at counter surfing... or pinging onto the kitchen table) and she's getting better about the 'not helping yourself to what's left on the plate on the table when you're not in the room... it helps having good hearing so that you can hear the telltale slight sounds from another room!