04fox8 168 Posted October 29, 2014 Report Share Posted October 29, 2014 Evening All, I have a 10 month old ESS which I have been trying to do my best with. On the lead she is almost text book, with the exception of pulling a bit on occasion. Let her off the lead, and it's like Jekyll and Hyde! Not only that, when she finally does come close, she will snap and snarl when you try to get the lead on. When you do, she's back to being good as gold. The other thing she seems to have developed is not releasing anything! A few weeks ago, she was not too bad, the odd wobble, but I was putting it down to her being a pup, and I didn't want to push her too far. Where have I gone wrong? Am I too late to rescue the situation? Read all the books, every single spaniel related thread on here up to the end of last year, and watched the videos! What have I done? Thanks. Quote Link to post
Casso 1,256 Posted October 30, 2014 Report Share Posted October 30, 2014 What confrontations have you had with the pup, disciplined in what form , Are you sure she's not snapping at your hands Quote Link to post
04fox8 168 Posted October 30, 2014 Author Report Share Posted October 30, 2014 No confrontation to speak of. Used a whistle since day 1 basically, and she's picked up on it over the months, so never really had to train that into her, it has been taken onboard naturally. Good blast on the whistle usually calms her down, and like I say on the lead, Perfect! Barely breathe through the whistle and she's doing what she should. Off the lead, and that's it all over! She may be snapping at my hands, and I've noticed over the last 3-4 days, if she crosses the lead and gets it between her front legs she is NOT happy and goes like mad to get it out. Not sure if anything may have happened during 2 recent 2 day stays in kennels ? Something has changed in her recently. She is my 1st dog, but my wife and kids are very well disciplined with her and haven't 'played' with her which may have explained the recent 'holding'. Really trying our best with her, and don't want to f**k it up from the start! Thanks. Quote Link to post
bullmastiff 610 Posted November 1, 2014 Report Share Posted November 1, 2014 Sounds like a case for a professional? Spaniels take a lot to wind up to the point of trying to bite something so might be a mental health issue rather than a obedience problem? Google 'Rage syndrome'. All the best with the pup and I hope you get it sorted. Quote Link to post
mushroom 12,387 Posted November 1, 2014 Report Share Posted November 1, 2014 Kick the living shitt out of it the next time it snaps see if that fixes it. Failing that cap the Cnut 2 Quote Link to post
Casso 1,256 Posted November 1, 2014 Report Share Posted November 1, 2014 (edited) Going by what you have already posted mate it looks like a mixture of rage and blossoming drive with no avenue for release , In a case like that everything or anything becomes the trigger because there is no point of direction Going against what the purists might say I would get it on a tug item , it will reduce the emotional filled pup back to zero again, When starting off just tug with pup on lead , letting the pup win and keep item in its mouth walking with pup on lead beside you , reach down tug again not hard but enough so the pup feels it's achieved something , pup must win always, keep walking with pup with item in its mouth, watch for signs of pup looking to instigate play, Where you want to get to is where pup is walking beside you with lead dropped so dog still has lead on but is been dragged behind with tug item in mouth looking to play , Stage after that , dog on lead , take off lead to play , pup stay beside you to play with no lead on and only play when a command has been given and action has been carried out by pup, Just to add it will take a number of weeks to achieve this, best of luck however you go about it Edited November 1, 2014 by Casso 1 Quote Link to post
04fox8 168 Posted November 2, 2014 Author Report Share Posted November 2, 2014 Thanks for the replies, Believe you me, there have been times I have felt like kicking the little f**ker! Fortunately, I have refrained! The tiring her out 1st theory does seem to hold some weight. I have taken her out and let her have a good hike, and a run about, and she is easier handled / controlled then. She is my 1st dog, so they may all be the same, but at times you would say she was wired to the moon!. Very head strong, and as soon as the lead comes off, WHOOSH! Nose on the deck, and Gone! Been spending extra time with her since I did 1st post and I would say she is almost perfect when she's on the lead. Walking to heel, tiny short retrieves all spot on. The going mad when the lead goes between her front legs is a concern. She goes wild! Take the lead out, and she's nice as ninepence again. Interesting to read about allowing her to tug.. I'll be re-reading that again and having a think. I'm back on the books and DVDs when I get the chance. Thanks again for the comments. Quote Link to post
duane87 11 Posted November 7, 2014 Report Share Posted November 7, 2014 all the best mate Quote Link to post
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