How can I reset my dog's bedtime and lead behaviour?

[Marlena1]

Hi there
I got an 11 month old king charles spaniel from a rescue centre a year ago (now almost 2). She was fully housetrained but very needy (I think this is why she was surrendered). I love her dearly but there are a few things I am finding so difficult! I will say that I am part of the problem! Firstly, she cries at night to come up to the bed. For months it was early in the morning when DP left for work and I (stupidly) let her up to the bed. It recently started getting much earlier. I was away all weekend and DP just left the door open so she was on the bed all night. Since I came back, she is now howling from the get go. How do I reset this? I really hate her in the bed with me. Secondly, she is AWFUL on the lead. She pulls the arms off me (really strong for her size) and barks when she sees other dogs. I got a trainer who was getting me to make her look at me everytime she did this but it just seemed so slow and I didn't really have time on the school run and rushing back to work. I can't leave her at home when doing the school run as she is beyond excited about it and cries if I try to leave her behind. Any advice really appreciated!

The look at me technique will work.But you have to dedicate time to it. trying to rush through a walk is not going to get you anywhere. Same with lead walking, you need to put the time in. You can teach a loose lead walk with a command so that when you don't have time to train that she can do what she wants so that you can still walk, or when you don't have time to do at least lead, but doing it that way is going to take you a hell of a lot longer.

There's not a magic wand. She's young, put the time in now so that you have years of actually enjoying your walks.

Ok thanks both 🙂 I'll persist with the training (in the absence of the wand).

Also bear in mind that CKC spaniels were literally bred to follow you around and sit on your lap. They are the ultimate companion dog. To a certain extent, needy behaviour is in their DNA because we did that deliberately over hundreds of years. To them, being clingy is their "job".

it's understandable that they would therefore be distressed when separated from you. Not saying at all that anything is your fault, but a reminder of why this issue is so hard (and why it is normal) might be light relief Xxxx

dog bed on the landing? On the floor next to your bed?

Agree with this, OP I used this technique with my excitable Labrador. He doesn’t bark at other dogs but he used to pull towards them and people. It took months and months of consistently doing this on every walk before it started to really work. I started last winter - he’s still a young dog so part of it is him needing to calm down but over the past few weeks, he’s started automatically walking to heel when people approach, and does it most of the time on command when dogs approach. It takes a lot of time and effort but it’s worth it!

Thanks all, really appreciate it. I'll keep going with that technique. Should be easier shortly with the school run almost done. I can take my time more. I think the dog bed on the landing might also be a good idea.