Howdy all,

I have a Female English Cocker Spaniel who is a great dog. I rescued her from another family who did npt have time for her or have the land for her to run. The only problem that I have with her is that she is afraid of being left. She has a companion of a male American Cocker and they get along great but she needs human contact so much. When my husband and I go to town, we live in the country, she runs along side the truck for apretty good distance before she stops. She runs in the grass along side the road but I am trying to figure out how to stop this behavior. I will not chain her up and our fencing is open barb wire. There is too much land to fence it with regular fencing. She stays in the yard all other times. I was wondering if maybe getting a super soaker water gun and and spraying her with it when she chasing. Would that be a good solution or does someone else have another idea. Thanks for all the help.

Pat

[chevy & karen]

Originally Posted by pittypatt@aol.com

Howdy all,

I have a Female English Cocker Spaniel who is a great dog. I rescued her from another family who did npt have time for her or have the land for her to run. The only problem that I have with her is that she is afraid of being left. She has a companion of a male American Cocker and they get along great but she needs human contact so much. When my husband and I go to town, we live in the country, she runs along side the truck for apretty good distance before she stops. She runs in the grass along side the road but I am trying to figure out how to stop this behavior. I will not chain her up and our fencing is open barb wire. There is too much land to fence it with regular fencing. She stays in the yard all other times. I was wondering if maybe getting a super soaker water gun and and spraying her with it when she chasing. Would that be a good solution or does someone else have another idea. Thanks for all the help.

Pat

Awe, I'm a softee for cocker's. There has to be a solution for this but please don't use the super soaker on this precious pup. I'm sure someone who has training experience will see this and be able to give you some good advice..

Does she understand the word No or Stay or could maybe a section of your land be fenced for when you have to leave them alone?

[german sheep]

Hi pittypatt,

dont use the super soaker. She does nothing wrong. You would punish her for a behavior she shows because she wasn't allowed, from the human, to learn something different.

All that dogs show us are symptoms of their behavioural problems.

So to really help the dog, and of course yourself, as owner, it is important to know, and understand, the reasons for why the dogs reacts in situations.

Only when the dog knows why it should do something for you, will it continue to do so willingly in the future.
Some questions for you for a better understanding:

Does it follow you around the house, at all times?
Can it be left alone in the car, i.e. when you go shopping?
How long per day is the dog without supervision?

We determine a difference between, a) anxiety due to being alone, and, b) where the dog feels it has lost control of the situation.

What are the differences?

The basic principle of anxiety through seperation is "frustration". This feeling gets stronger as time passes until the dog starts to react.

The basic principle in a "loss of control" situation is a conflict that the dog shows immediately he is alone.

The symptoms are the same in each case, i.e. Barking, howling, scratching on doors and damaging furniture, etc. BUT it has been proven that 99% of these actions are a result of "loss of control".

To give your dog assurence, you have to take everything from her:
Too much room, territorium, food, "love and affection" in the way of feeling sorry for her.
She needs to know that she does not have the responsibility for you and your husband. Only then she can find some peace and rest, additional when you leave her.

This things you have to train! Your dog needs to be allowed to learn all this, so reduce yourself and give her a real chance.
Food is only available from you! Let she work for it and give it from your hand.

So take her to a place where she can be during your absence and give her treat. You are still next to her. Give her regularly treats, only one piece of food.
For a dog it is not important how much it gets, only THAT it gets something.

Then you have to establish the distance, step by step. Does the dog leave its place you were to fast. The dog does no mistakes! So you have to reduce this step and go further at this point.

When you leave your dog, take her to this place give a treat and go.
If the training was solid and good your dog will stay there until you come back.

LG
gs