Hello Midwest bird dog community -
I am seeking some networking leads for a new home for our much-loved 5.5year old American Cocker Spaniel (B&W parti-color) , Jack, whom we think is less and less compatible with little kids.
We are considering surrender or putting him down based on some defensive resource related snapping he has done (we have a three year old in the house). However, before we get to that point we hope that we can locate an appropriate new home for him.
We have tried to work with Jack to train him and reduce triggers in our house - including hiring a behaviorist when our child was crawling around. Unfortunately, although we have done some sucessful behavior work with Jack, we haven't been successful at keeping the triggers 100% out of his life and ours - and we don't think we can provide a safe home for us all together in a home environment that will likely include small kids for the rest of Jack's lifetime.
Here is what we think we've learned about Jack:
(1) He's status seeking. He defends a high spot. Therefore - no furniture sitting / sleeping.
(2) He's happiest "working" (e.g. retrieving balls ... he would love to learn "birding" as a vocation but isn't trained.)
(3) He defends balls and other resources aggressively. Limit these in the home.
(4) He isn't command trained - but I think he'd take to it easily. We haven't done a lot of formal training with treats.
(5) He is completely loyal to his pack. A very sweet dog in so many ways. We are sad to let him go and hope this big world has a healthy and homey spot for him.
Thank you for considering our situation - I'd be grateful to hear any / all suggestions -
Alison
in Milwaukee
I am seeking some networking leads for a new home for our much-loved 5.5year old American Cocker Spaniel (B&W parti-color) , Jack, whom we think is less and less compatible with little kids.
We are considering surrender or putting him down based on some defensive resource related snapping he has done (we have a three year old in the house). However, before we get to that point we hope that we can locate an appropriate new home for him.
We have tried to work with Jack to train him and reduce triggers in our house - including hiring a behaviorist when our child was crawling around. Unfortunately, although we have done some sucessful behavior work with Jack, we haven't been successful at keeping the triggers 100% out of his life and ours - and we don't think we can provide a safe home for us all together in a home environment that will likely include small kids for the rest of Jack's lifetime.
Here is what we think we've learned about Jack:
(1) He's status seeking. He defends a high spot. Therefore - no furniture sitting / sleeping.
(2) He's happiest "working" (e.g. retrieving balls ... he would love to learn "birding" as a vocation but isn't trained.)
(3) He defends balls and other resources aggressively. Limit these in the home.
(4) He isn't command trained - but I think he'd take to it easily. We haven't done a lot of formal training with treats.
(5) He is completely loyal to his pack. A very sweet dog in so many ways. We are sad to let him go and hope this big world has a healthy and homey spot for him.
Thank you for considering our situation - I'd be grateful to hear any / all suggestions -
Alison
in Milwaukee