please help! I rescued a sprocker puppy at 4/6 months old, she had been shut up in one room for all that time - not walked or seen other dogs as far as I am aware. the problem is she is now 8 mths and is a complete nightmare behaviour wise. Very very friendly, jumps up at anyone and everyone and will not come back to me if she sees another dog or human when out walking.
I do understand that she is a puppy but she is soooo hyper that she gets on everyones nerves.
at home she will settle but if one of us ( I have 2 teenage girls ) leaves the room she goes mental when we come back.
she is really lovely and we do love her but shes driving us mad with her behaviour. I do have to say that if let off the lead she is brilliant if she doesnt see anyone!
hope someone has some advice - or will she always be mental?

Generally speaking these dogs are from working stock and need a working home; I suggest you find one; hearing dogs for the deaf may be interested.

Tohmes advice on many topics is valuable but i find that the suggestion of rehoming a dog as a FIRST option is totally bizzarre...particularly as in the initial post the visitor has not given any information as to what kind of activity and stimulation the dog is being given. I think a more sensible suggestion in the first instance would be to take the dog to a good trainer or a bahaviourist so that your dog and you can be assessed. I would certainly not consider rehoming a dog on the basis of what someone told you on the 'net, especially as that person does not have enough information on which to base that judgement. If you join the board, you could reply and give us more information, and you could get some more constructive and more well considered advice.

I'd just keep working on her training - make sure that returning to you has plenty in if for her - take her out hungry and feed her portions of her meal as reward if you have to.  Use a long line or horses lunge line to retain control and prevent her from learning she doesn't have to listen to you.

Have you thought about getting her involved in something like agility when she's a little older?  Your daughters may enjoy this.......

I agree, get her to training classes and keep her brain occupied, not just her feet!

Sounds normal for what she is, :P I'd also suggest training classes as long as you feel you can be committed.
Bringing on a difficult dog can be very satisfying and you could set up "work" situations for the dog, such as searching for items, toys etc. once you have good basic control.

One very good calming command to teach such a dog is, the "Watch me" ... this can be done using very highly tasty food rewards (not shop bought, I'd suggest liver/chicken/sausage/cheese). You can also teach it with fav. toys if that's a better option.

The dog then learns to listen, look and, eventually, will learn better as the habit will become more engrained.

Good luck
Lindsay
x

as an owner of a sprocker i would definitley advise on getting her involved in working in some field or another, Jack is a hyper dog but at the same time lacks confidence, due to the work that i do i was able to train him for drug detection work, as soon as the harness is put on and he is told 'work' you wouldnt believe he was the same dog, in fact in a demo to other work collegues they were told they needed their dogs at the same level of obedience as Jack, (i wouldnt mind he is a s** at home :D ) when working as he is focused on what he is doing all his fears go out the window, he is steeady and listens mainly because he has to for direction, in his training he also does agility this he loves also, if you would like to talk to me some more my email is
outofcontroltess@hotmail.com i may take some time repling at times due to things being hectic :D

tanya

my friend has a busy little working cocker,hes going to do agility!hes defintally a dog that needs to be doing!