2 years on... || A very honest update of 2 years with my puppy

[@mcscrouge1205]

So informational thank you, my red working cocker's 1 year old but she isn't receptive to treats AT ALL and we 've made such little progress with lead training. Her recall is so horrific as the second she sees a dog there's no way she's coming back! I'm too scared to let her off the leash and I really hope in the next year she can improve massively

[@lornaquinn-neylon6183]

So interesting to hear how other people are getting on! I also have a cocker spaniel, did lots of work with his separation anxiety when he was smaller - he will be 2 in Dec. I would say one thing that works for me is to bring my dog for a walk before leaving him also. He needs to be very tired and if he is you will be able to leave him for a lot longer. He will take himself into bed and just sleep. I will generally always do that before I leave my dog for any length of time and it has worked a treat!

[@sarahlwalden]

We will always try to make sure he has had exercise before we leave him ☺️ so glad things are going well for your pup!

[@eleanorrobinson9320]

It’s so lovely to hear how much he has improved and that you are proactive in helping him! I’m an animal physio, there is nothing wrong with using harness, they often get recommended in rehab for dogs with neck/neurological issues. One thing to be careful of tho is how they fit. Ones that’s go straight cross the chest e.g. julius canine ones can restrict their shoulder movements. Y shaped ones are the best type such as the ruffwear or perfect fit. I hope that’s ok to share

[@sarahlwalden]

Yes of course! Thank you for the advice. In my hike video, we showed his harness, would be great if you could let me know if that’s the type you mean? Thanks for commenting! 🖤

[@eleanorrobinson9320]

@@sarahlwalden I personally would say it’s in between the two. Y harness tend to have less material to them and tend to be solid colours. It looks a better fit than other fabric and chest harness I’ve seen. It’s difficult to properly assess it on the video. One thing to keep an eye on, is that his harness is fairly broad across his chest and potentially may restrict his shoulder. It’s not something I can say for certain without seeing him in person and having a feel. But basically when a dog’s leg protracts, their scapular (shoulder blade) moves back or more specifically the scapular cartilage which is at the top of the scapular, therefore the scapular moves forward when the leg is retracted. This is because the front legs are only held on by muscles, which is what allows the shoulder to slide forward and back. It’s that area that you want to make sure is uncovered, if that makes sense. Unfortunately I can’t post pictures, but at some point I was planning on writing a post on harness fit on my business socials (ER Vet Physio) if you were interested. I hope that wasn’t too much information and made sense

[@starlightcraftsGB]

Hello Sarah and thanks for the update on Oakley. I'm glad to hear that things are getting a little easier :) My cocker spaniel is 7 months on Thursday and it is still incredibly hard going with her. She was spayed on 1st September and I was hoping that that would calm her down a bit, but so far it hasn't so I'm not sure if the neutering event makes any difference to this breed. Our pup sleeps all through the night - 10 pm til 6 a.m. for which we are truly thankful! She eats everything I give her and is the perfect weight for her age. She doesn't eat poo and never has BUT on the downside, the worse things with ours is the pulling on the lead and that is so bad that I have had to stop walking her because I just can't hold her any more. My husband now has to do it, which is a big disappointment to me because I wanted a dog so I could take it for walks on my own and with my hubbie and so far that hasn't happened. The other thing that really bothers me is the biting. She has now got her permanent teeth but she plays rough. I like to play with her but she gets so wound up that she bites and it is very hard to stop her and calm her down. So, we have asked a trainer for help. I've never had to do that with my other dogs but I've never had these problems before either! Also, we have enrolled her in puppy training classes, starting on 15th October so maybe we will get some relief. However, our pup is not good with other dogs when we are out and about. She is very friendly if she sees another dog, but too friendly. She leaps about on the lead and does somersaults and freaks the other dogs out, which is very embarrassing. I am therefore looking forward to the puppy classes with trepidation. Our pup also has separation anxiety. I cannot leave the room unless my hubbie holds her collar. We have a stairgate at the bottom of the stairs and if I go up, she waits for me at the bottom until I come down again. We have left her for up to two hours though and she is fine when we come back. Thank you so much for your frank and truthful videos. I find them very helpful and reassuring. Please keep them coming.

[@sarahlwalden]

Thank you so much for commenting. I completely get the frustration, I’ve said it before but it’s like you’re so excited to have this puppy and do all these beautiful things you see everyone else doing and then when it doesn’t work out like that, it honestly just breaks your heart and then you also feel so bad for being frustrated with them. I have no doubt things will start getting better when you start going to the puppy classes. As long as your trying to do the training, you’re doing everything you can do and try and remember that. I hope things get better for you, and I’m so glad you’ve found my content useful 🖤

[@starlightcraftsGB]

@@sarahlwalden Thank you Sarah. The classes start next Saturday. I have my fingers crossed.

[@samantha634]

We have a five-month-old WCS who is a fiend for eating poo! I'm glad that Oakley has grown out of it and the training worked - there might be hope for our pup! Thank you for the update.

[@sarahlwalden]

Aaah, it’s so nice to hear from other people who have that problem!! I’ve only really heard from people who’s pups eat their own, and Oakley had no interest in his own 😂 I really feel for you! It was so disgusting but yeah, it’s finally stopped. I hope your pup figures it out too! 🖤

[@BChecker56]

Gorgeous dog 😀😀💕 you have a lovely pet. We have a 6 month old golden cocker. Challenging but know he’ll grow up . You’re doing a great job👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@sarahlwalden]

Thank you 🖤

[@Intentionally_jodie]

Our pugs 7 months months she's good but drives me absolutely insane like its hard hard work and I totally understand why it wss difficult I'm not diagnosed yet but these things consume us which makes things soooooo much harder

[@sarahlwalden]

So glad to hear someone understands what I mean!

[@Intentionally_jodie]

@@sarahlwalden no one can understand the level things consume our mind our thoughts and our daily life its completely different to a typical way of thinking add that to the other things we think about its really hard . Iv considered giving up my dog a few times she's actually really good but the stress of over educating every thing she does is really hard xx

[@ellapitt8505]

Would definitely be interested in a video about being autistic and having a dog. Do you think there have been positives as well as the challenges?

[@sarahlwalden]

Ooo okay, thank you! I would love to talk about it so will try and work a video in!

[@kaneki18-d1t4]

How old is he again? Jk 🤣