losing hope ...

[Mad Jasper]

Hi naj

She came home with me at 8 weeks and have not seen her sibling since

The breeder I got her from has a good reputation. You mention the relationship can expand more?

What can I do to improve the relationship ?

[Naj]

Not quite sure what relationship you have developed with this pup. Whatever you have been doing isn't working. I don't think this staying aloof policy is helping, only adding to the pup's obvious insecurity. The springer also acts aloof, too, which is interesting. The pup must think it is living in a vacuum if everything responds to it like this. I wouldn't concern myself with the noise, only the wellbeing of the pup, which looks starved of attention. Not rewarding unwanted behaviour is one thing, but this is much deeper than that. You surely can't only give it attention when you want to do something with it. A pup of this age needs interaction with you for its mental wellbeing & so you can develop your relationship according to how you want it. I felt like putting it on my lap & giving it a damn good cuddle. Is it quiet when you are petting it? If it was mine, I'd treat it like any other pup & if it turned out noisy, I'd live with that.

[Mad Jasper]

Hi naj

Thanks for the explanation I am far from aloof with her, I spend as much quality time with her as I can. To give you an example I spend 1 1/2 hours just me and both dogs in the morning my wife is with them during the day and all night. During which I get down with her and play and fuss.

What you saw on the videos is when I stop giving her attention ... I am conscious of what I am rewarding and can amplify the problem and turn into major separation anxiety etc.

Funny thing this dog behaviour lark what if you did fuss a dog and it got worse what then lol

Anyways everyone has definitely help got her a big rug and box and already settling

You have all been amazing

[Judy]

Sometimes its best to stop thinking "what does the book say?" or "What if?" but just go with your first instinct which would probably be much the same as you would do with a small child! If she isn't happy in a situation think "whats upsetting her?" as you would a child, rather than "If I cuddle her because she is obviously stressed to &*@@@^&£ she'll want more cuddles and become more insistent". She's a baby, when my kids were babies they got cuddles when they were unhappy and we changed what we could to make them better, as you do. You phase out the cuddles as the pup / child grows up and manages to survive without them.

If you see what I mean?

Oh! And when she does lie down on your feet, PRAISE HER! Thats the behaviour you want isn't it? If she comes away from the TV or the toilet roll or whatever when you "tsk" then praise her 'cos thats what you want her to do. A quiet "good dog" is usually sufficient, it reassures the dog its doing the correct thing.

[Mad Jasper]

Thanks judy

I have literally been doing what you have just described, but of fun bit of cuddles left her to chew for a bit and so on ... Totally different little girl and the box and blankets def help however ... The blankets didnt stay in long lol

[Nette]

Great to hear she seems happier with the her 'safe' area I would think that now she is settling and becoming more relaxed your relationship with her will improve over time anyway.

[Judy]

Have a read of this: http://www.canis.no/rugaas/onearticle.php?artid=2

[Nette]

Have a read of this: http://www.canis.no/rugaas/onearticle.php?artid=2

Excellent link Judy

[Megsdad]

Jasper she is going to be a brilliant dog for you if you have patience and use all the excellent advice thT you get on this forum. Very young yet. I'm lucky that I had advice from old geezers they all said assume it's a puppy until 18 months and think about how you'd be with a human toddler

[Lynn]

Have a read of this: http://www.canis.no/rugaas/onearticle.php?artid=2

What a brilliant article.

I've only just watched the op's videos. I had to turn the sound off - next to my computer is the whelping box with a bitch and 6 day old puppies. The wimperings from the cocker puppy really distressed my bitch she thought one of her puppies was lost.