I have a 10 month old working cocker spaniel. The training is coming along fine however over the last few weeks she has started to act odd. In the lounge at night she starts to chase shadows and then jumps on them as though they are a live animal or something. She will then start to scratch at the carpet. This can go on for half an hour or so before she settles down. I have also noticed that she is always wanting to go in the garden, often this is just to sniff and dig!. When preparing her tea she salivates, gets very excited  and starts to lick the cupboards. What on earth is happening to the dog?
She gets good daily walks and attends weekly training sesions, she is good natured with people and other dogs. I know that she is becoming sexually mature as she often tries to mount my leg! Are all these other symptoms of her adolescence and maturity?
Any advise would be most helpful.
Thanks
Mark

I believe they are more likely to be signs that she is bored and is finding things to keep herself occupied or she is getting attention from doing them that she wouldn't otherwise (the key may well be in how you react.......)

Hi,

I to have a working cocker (7 months) and she is very lively and it takes a lot to wear her out.  Sounds like yours is bored and wants more stimulation.

This breed is not like the show cockers, they are 100 times more lively and have such a strong working instinct, they need to use it.  How much exercise does she get?  What do you feed?

manda
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