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Training an Older Cocker Spaniel |
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We just adopted our second Cocker Spaniel (a male) from the animal shelter. He is 5 1/2 years old. The first Cocker miniature (female) that we adopted (7 years old) was crate trained and is just perfect. So we bought a crate for him to sleep in but he just shook the door so badly over and over that we let him sleep on the floor in our bedroom.
I am wondering if there is any way to teach him that he will be ok if he goes in the crate to sleep or is it too late as he is already set in his ways? Since he seems like he has some separation anxiety we are going to have to put him in there when we have to leave the house for short times so that he doesn't destroy anything. He was left inside once while my husband mowed the yard and he scratched at the front door and had an accident on the floor.
We found out that his owner just let him go as he was getting too old to care for him, so he was picked up as a stray. He is a beautiful dog though and seems to be good otherwise. Any suggestions would be most helpful.
Thanks.
Wanda in Nebraska
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RE: Training an Older Cocker Spaniel
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Post By Claudia (Guest Post)
(08/16/2005)
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Both of my dogs were crate-trained; one of them is a rescued dog I got last Dec. at 5 yrs. old. To start with, I put the crate at eye level next to my bed. Now I have the crate downstairs and, when I and my other dog go upstairs, he settles down in his crate. He even goes in it to rest throughout the day. Don't think of crates as doggie prisons. Look at them the way they do....as their dens.
RE: Training an Older Cocker Spaniel
Will he be okay with a leash on him? We attach a short leash to our cocker spaniel's collar at bedtime and leave her attached to it in the kitchen overnight. She does not chew on it so we just put a material leash on her. Also, when we leave home, we tie her up. She will not get into the garbage then or have accidents. Both she is prone to do if we forget to tie her on.
What about doing this, close to the other cocker where he can see her? I realize the other cocker will be in a kennel. I am wondering if you bring the new cocker into the home and allow him to sleep in the bedroom, on the floor, whether you will then cause jealousy in your female? You may have to use a short chain rather than a leash he can chew through.
If your 7 1/2 year old cocker female is not spade and the male is not also...puppies can be a lot of fun!!! :)
I hope also, that you shave both cockers on a regular basis, yourself? The hair in the house and the cost of grooming can both be unnecessary. I keep our cocker shaved down, except for her ears and find it quite easy to do.
Good luck! Cockers are such nice friendly dogs, we really enjoy ours!
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