Hello. Name change because the below makes me very identifiable! The below is long. Thank you in advance if you even make your way through it.
We've recently rescued a 10 month old Springer. More background at the end in case relevent but high level he's come to us with zero training and I have very limited history apart from his vaccination book. We got him Saturday evening so very early days. I've adopted two untrained rescues of similar ages before but they are/were dogs that fit firmly into the 'Tim Nice But Dim' category. That means I'm not sure whether things with Mr Springer just need more time or if it's a problem with the way we're training him. As would be expected he seems bright (by my standards - took 1 hour to learn his name) and mad as a box of frogs. More time is absolutely fine, I'm just worried about leaving bad habits uncorrected too long.
I have an assessment booked this week for formal dog training lessons but in the meantime, was hoping for help with a couple of things:
Toilet training I know the theory is take him out lots and lots, and praise a lot/give treats when he does his business outside. However, he's not getting it. I actually think he's holding on to go inside - he frequently wees inside just after a long walk. I know when he gets it, it will be like a light switch for him. But how can I better help him understand?! Or is it just still early days and will take time. I've done this before twice but it's been 8 years. I have a vague memory that I was asking the same thing about the same time!
Play biting He's doing a lot of play biting - ankles, backs of knees, hands. I can see another thread on this where the suggestions are distract with another toy and stand still. Basically don't reward the behaviour. That's aimed at someone with a young puppy though. Are there any alternative approaches I should be using with a 10 month old? Note despite the breed we absolutely can pick him up and move him (see background) but he is very wriggly and that can end up with him biting faces so I have been avoiding. There is no sign of aggression at all - this is play. Sometimes over excitement but sometimes just play.
Background in case useful The rescuer says owner dump at the vets, but for various reasons I suspect a pet shop dump. Unlikely to be puppy farm - they're illegal and this isn't a fashionable breed here. We'll probably never know. We are based in Dubai and a lot of dogs have been dumped recently due to the conflict. In case not obvious - of course I wouldn't have bought a Springer in Dubai - this is a rescue and the people who decided to bring this breed to Dubai (as a young puppy) are not exactly on my 'thoughts and prayers' list.
He's clearly been extremely malnourished - he's very skinny but he's also tiny. We suspect runt of the litter and then even less able to fight for the limited food there was. A 'brother' was rescued at the same time who is also very thin but otherwise normal size for a 10 month old Springer. Our boy is 7kg! Vet has verified age and paws suggest he was meant to be larger but vet says he is unlikely to grow now, just bulk out. It's possible he's crossed with something (and his brother isn't a litter mate) but he looks pure Springer and he's tiny even for a Sprocker. Original vaccination book also says Springer. He's anaemic but otherwise no obvious signs of medical issues - only time will tell and fingers crossed he's just always going to be little but otherwise a happy, insane, Springer!