Posted 26 April 2012 at 17:17 | Last updated 28 May 2012 at 12:44
Behavioural problems in a Working Cocker.
Asked by Suzanne F | 2 Answers
Bella came to us at 2 1/2 and appeared to be fine but within the last twelve months or so, she will be six in September, she has started behaving strangely. She goes up to people, both people she knows and people she has been with, not compete strangers, and they go to tickle her and she kicks off and barks and starts to make moves to bite them as if she has been scared by them. My partner's father knows her well and has always had dogs, but she even did it with him. We are not sure why she should start it now.
That is strange behaviour if she hasn’t shown this before. Has anything changed? Has any one reacted badly to her when she asked to be tickled? I would begin by visiting your vet to make sure there is nothing medically wrong and then, if they give the all clear, ask them to refer you to a qualified behaviorist who will be able to assess her and hopefully work out how she is feeling during this time and what you can do to change her mind. Meanwhile ask ALL folk not to touch her (You can buy collars and coats now that warn people away) until you have modified her behaviour.
You can begin to change her mind by making approaching people really nice by rewarding her with something tasty as they approach (they do not attempt to touch her) if she remains nice and calm.
Thanks for the answer, it is quite a worry as not all people understand dogs! I don't think anything has changed but she has had a tough life before we got her & it's possibly a confidence thing, she was hit, not walked & didn't even know how to retreive a ball because no one played with her much. She is also 'highly strung' being a very well bred young lady from a working line, when she is out beating during the shooting season, she is using her natural talents & enjoys it but even being worn out does seem to conteract this problem. I feel it is when people overwhelm her but she is sending out mixed messages by going to people and rolling over, then she kicks off & scares the life out of them! I will pass this info to my other half and we will work on it from there. Thank you.
Expert answer
Hi Suzanne
That is strange behaviour if she hasn’t shown this before. Has anything changed? Has any one reacted badly to her when she asked to be tickled? I would begin by visiting your vet to make sure there is nothing medically wrong and then, if they give the all clear, ask them to refer you to a qualified behaviorist who will be able to assess her and hopefully work out how she is feeling during this time and what you can do to change her mind. Meanwhile ask ALL folk not to touch her (You can buy collars and coats now that warn people away) until you have modified her behaviour.
You can begin to change her mind by making approaching people really nice by rewarding her with something tasty as they approach (they do not attempt to touch her) if she remains nice and calm.
Hope that helps
Rosie Barclay
Thanks for the answer, it is quite a worry as not all people understand dogs! I don't think anything has changed but she has had a tough life before we got her & it's possibly a confidence thing, she was hit, not walked & didn't even know how to retreive a ball because no one played with her much. She is also 'highly strung' being a very well bred young lady from a working line, when she is out beating during the shooting season, she is using her natural talents & enjoys it but even being worn out does seem to conteract this problem. I feel it is when people overwhelm her but she is sending out mixed messages by going to people and rolling over, then she kicks off & scares the life out of them! I will pass this info to my other half and we will work on it from there. Thank you.