Hi all,
We have a nearly 9 month old female cocker spaniel who is an absolute joy generally, has the mad spaniel mischief genes but thats to be expected. Its not an issue as such, because i think she just wants to be around us, just looking to understand why and if anyone else has similar?
During the week:
My partner leaves for work around 7am - she might go out for a wee then but often doesnt bother, then goes back to sleep.
Then around 8 - 8.30 she whines to wake me up/let me know she's awake, i go down, saw hello, let her out, feed her, then go back upstairs to start work (babygate on the stairs) and she goes back to sleep until about 10.
At the weekends, or any other day that my partner doesnt go to work:
Wakes up anywhere from 7am to 8am, whines to let us know she's up.
One of us (we alternate) will go down, say hello, let her out, give her breakfast then come back upstairs hoping for an extra hour in bed.
Instead of going back to bed like normal, she then whines/cries and wont stop. Its low level high pitched grumbling, not distressed hysteria, but its to get you up and downstairs with her. But then when you are downstairs, its 30/70 on if she wants to be actively engaging with you or off doing her own thing.
If she did it during the week too i'd understand it but why is it only if we're both here?
Its not the end of the world obviously, would just like to understand why. She's obviously been with us for some time now so it doesnt feel like a 'out of routine' reaction.
To head off a few questions:
- Gets lots of walks, mental stimulation, chews, socialisation with other dogs, and has been left alone to her own devices regularly as well - in general very happy and secure.
- Doesnt have seperation anxiety otherwise - quite happy to be left alone for a couple of hours if needed, which isnt often. Might get left alone for 20 minutes - hour a few times a week.
- I WFH and she gets regular attention from me duringbthe day but is also on her own downstairs for stints if im on calls etc.
- If we both go upstairs and leave her downstairs during the day, not an issue.
- She sleeps downstairs and isnt bothered at bedtime either.
- My partner is her favourite (despite me doing most of her care) but it doesnt seem to make a difference if he goes down to feed her at the weekends rather than me.
Anyone else got similar? Think she just misses us and wants to hang out which is sweet but so weird she doesnt do it in the week when its just me here.