Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Original poster

Wish we had never bought new puppy.

106 replies

Babyroobs · 08/01/2018 12:06

Bought a new puppy 4 months ago, he's now 6 months. I feel like it's the biggest mistake ever. Him and my 6 year old dog still don't get on, there's a lot of fighting and jealousy. I have developed a bad back and struggling to walk them together, puppy is strong and just pulls constantly, so having to do four separate walks a day, although other family members do help. I try to keep him out of certain rooms but he just throws himself at doors and manages to get them open, when shut in the Kitchen for a short time he whines and scratches woodwork. He has pulled wallpaper off 2 rooms in the past week, caused £200 worth of damage to trainers and coats etc ( despite reminding teenagers not to leave shoes where he can get them ). He constantly whines to go out and no sooner has he come in but wants to go out again- I can't not let him out in case he wants to wee. I am constantly up and down. Tried to have a one hour lie in this morning after dh had left as I have been on nightshifts over the weekend but even then I couldn't as he was whining and scratching the kitchen door. Our other dog is miserable, I am miserable, just don't know what to do.

OP posts:
Original poster
Babyroobs · 08/01/2018 12:30

Thanks Shadow - They fight over everything ! Toys, , who sits on my knee etc.

OP posts:
Valerrie · 08/01/2018 12:30

So you haven't done any formal training whatsoever with him?

BiteyShark · 08/01/2018 12:30

Join the puppy survival thread on here for ongoing support. I saw someone refer to puppies on here as cute arseholes and I totally agree Grin Fortunately they do grow up and calm down but it takes a while.

I have a working cocker and his behaviour deteriorated from 6 months with its worst around 8 months when he was in his teenage months. He started to become better again around 10 months of age. Not trying to make you feel worse just trying to prepare you for some difficult months.

Do you have money to throw at this. If you do I would hire a dog walker to take the strain away from some of that. I would then also pay for a trainer to come in and observe some of the issues to work out a training plan with you.

Original poster
Babyroobs · 08/01/2018 12:32

Gin - I feel so guilty that my older dog's life is being ruined. I mean how long do you give it before you say enough is enough ? My elderly dad has just had to have his old lab pts and he is going to take my older dog one day a week to give her a break from the puppy, but then again I don't know if that is just avoiding the issue ?

OP posts:
Wolfiefan · 08/01/2018 12:32

You have an active working dog puppy who has nothing to keep its brain active. You need to do training. Formal training sessions and lots more at home. Brain games. Scatter feeding. Make the pup work its brain.

BiteyShark · 08/01/2018 12:33

OH just to add I do gun dog training with my cocker spaniel. He will never be 'worked' but it really helps to understand how they think in terms of their breed. They hunt so we tailor exercise for his hunting, flushing and chasing instinct. I would highly recommend doing similar training if you can as it made a big difference. I have also started agility and he is loving it and again makes them bond with you and 'work'.

Wolfiefan · 08/01/2018 12:33

And if the dog has separation anxiety you and leave it. At all. Every time you leave it to panic and destroy stuff you create more of an issue. You prove to the dog that being left is scary.

Original poster
Babyroobs · 08/01/2018 12:36

Thanks Bitey - Yes we do have enough money to do anything to try to help. A dog walker is a good idea but would it makes things worse with the puppy not getting consistency ? he already gets walked by me, dh and 2 of our teenagers, I suppose I'm just worried that throwing another walker into the picture will make things worse. I know we all need to be singing from the same hymn sheet so to speak with the training.

OP posts:
Valerrie · 08/01/2018 12:38

I'm guessing by your non-reply that you haven't done any formal training with your puppy and are now wondering why your working breed dog has many issues. The mind boggles.

Valerrie · 08/01/2018 12:38

Did you get them from a reputable breeder? What advice have they given you? Is neutering in your endorsement contract?

BiteyShark · 08/01/2018 12:39

Could you get a dog walker for the older one and you concentrate (with the help of a trainer who will be able to break down the training into a workable plan) in training the puppy?

BiteyShark · 08/01/2018 12:40

And even if you don't want to join the puppy survival thread on here I would read through it and the previous ones to see all the issues people have faced and how they have tackled them.

juneau · 08/01/2018 12:44

Did you want a working breed OP? I think so many people have problems because they get the wrong kind of dog for them/their lifestyle. A cockapoo is not the same as a cocker, because it's half poodle and poodles aren't working dogs, whereas spaniels are high energy because they were bred to go out shooting and retrieving prey and walking miles every day.

Yes, training will help and will also provide you with support and ideas for how to manage the energy of this dog. Yes, things should improve, but probably not for a while.

If you really feel you've made a huge mistake then I would ring the breeder right now and talk to them. They may take the dog back, or otherwise, if you simply cannot cope and this is not just a blip, then you'll have to consider re-homing.

owltrousers · 08/01/2018 12:45

I think this is all normal puppy behaviour and separation anxiety is very common. I think the issue is that you already had 1 dog with needs and a busy household and perhaps throwing a puppy in the mix was a step too far in hindsight?

Can you get anyone to come on the walks with you, so one person can handle the puppy and the other can take control of the other dog? 4 walks a day sounds draining!

SlothMama · 08/01/2018 12:48

A cocker spaniel by nature is a working gundog, they can have a lot of energy. He sounds bored to me, although he is too young to be doing proper agility yet a puppy foundation class could be good for him.

This breed needs their brains worked agility is great, simple trick training is also good. Try buying a ball that you stuff with treats and he has to work out how to get them out whilst you are out. This will hopefully end the destruction as he is occupied.

He needs to be trained, take him to a class again this will work his brain and also give him good manners. This could also help with training him how to heel, but a halti will work for now.
However with a halti collar please NEVER use it with an retractable lead, I've heard of horrific cases where dogs have had their necks broken when these are used together.

Stitchintimesaves9 · 08/01/2018 12:48

We have a six month working cocker spaniel, so feel your pain Grin. He was neutered just before Christmas, so it can be done this early. It was a miserable few days for him, though, as he couldn't go out on long walks and had to stay on the lead all the time.

He still pulls on the lead, although is getting slowly better with training - it is taking an awful long time, though.

JustCallMeJanet · 08/01/2018 12:49

@Babyroobs it's interesting that someone can moan about how unexpectedly hard having a new baby is and get lots of helpful, supportive advice. However if you say that about a dog you get shot to pieces.

I know nothing about dogs I'm afraid, but I'm sure you puppy will settle down in time. It is like introducing a new baby into the family and there will be sibling rivalry but I'm sure they will get used to one another.

Flowers
MuseumOfCurry · 08/01/2018 12:50

FYI I absolutely regretted getting my dog at 6 months old, I fantasised about her running away and I'd be free of her without looking irresponsible.

She's now 2.5 and I'm madly in love with her.

I don't think this is terribly uncommon.

BiteyShark · 08/01/2018 12:51

So I learned at the gun dog training that lead walking is particularly hard with spaniels as they want to put their head down and zig zag left to right hunting.

ChardonnaysPrettySister · 08/01/2018 12:53

It’s a puppy thing.

One of mine was a horror at that age, I would have happily throttled him. Persevere, keep him busy, keep him tired, positive reinforcements are useful, and you’ll get there.

Ginandanything · 08/01/2018 12:56

@babyroobs How long you give it depends - or certainly did in my case - on how long it takes to near a nervous breakdown! About ten weeks!

We got a kitten earlier this year and it made our older cat's life an utter misery, to the extent that it basically moved out of the house and into a couple of doors along. We found the kitten a nice home, they email us regularly with photos and updates, and the old cat is happy again.

Some animals just don't want company, some love it

mustbemad17 · 08/01/2018 12:59

Some great suggestions on here. He's a working breed so he needs to be 'worked' - what do you feed him? If he's on dried food, try a kong wobbler for breakfast. Keep older dog out of the way (sounds like she might relish the quiet) & let him work for his breakfast.
Lots of impromptu training in the house, reinforcing the basics he already knows.

A bored dog is a twat. Simple as that. They get destructive & irritating to have around. But you can put some really easy things in place to keep his mind ticking over. Upturned plastic flowerpots in the garden so he has to find the treat etc

Want2bSupermum · 08/01/2018 12:59

Try crating the puppy. Sounds to me like they have separation anxiety. Don't get a huge crate just big enough for them to turn around. Put a dark thick blanket over the top of it and throw some toys and treats in. When you go out puppy goes in the crate. It's their safe space.

averylongtimeago · 08/01/2018 13:13

Ok, training. Look round your area for classes, avoid ones that talk about "pack theory" and dominance. Until I moved I went to a dog club every week - we did all the basics plus fun stuff like simple agility and scent work (my Goldie was rubbish at that!). It was about having fun with your dog. One woman there had a cocker - absolutely maniac at first. She taught it "go touch" - in the evening she would sit on the sofa and get the dog to "go touch.. (item)" dog runs over and touches item, comes back, sits, gets reward. And repeat.
Cockers are intelligent dogs and their brains need work as well as their bodies - and the devil will make work for idle paws!

I also took my older dog to class as well when we got the new puppy, not because she needed more training, but it gave her some time just with me and she loved it.

A proper trainer will also help you with any seperation anxiety too.

BiteyShark · 08/01/2018 13:22

You can also play non food games in the house. Buy lots of cheap tennis balls. Rub your hands all over them and hide them round the house. Send him to 'find it'. Mine goes wild hunting them out. You can do this on walks, when he isn't looking throw one in some long grass and give him the commmd. Sometimes they need help finding it especially if lots of other smells outside but they pick it up so quickly and I could entertain mine all day just doing that. The problem I have now is he knows all my hiding places in the house and outside he tries to cheat and look back all the time to see where I am throwing it Grin