Springer that has decided cats are game

[Guest The Outlaw]

"Houston, We have a problem"

 

Jimmy has been brought up with cats at his previos address and seemed ok with them but he is getting even more agressive with ours, to the point that he caught and bit one of them yesterday.

 

He has to go!

 

We have tried to keep it sweet between them but we and the girls are getting worried about it enough that we have put child gates all over the house to stop him from getting at them.

We think it is a jealousy issue and if he gets jealous of cats we are worried if we have a visitor with a baby, even though we think he is ok with older kids but we cant take the risk.

He has always tried to hump our girls and they have been strict with him and he has now turned his full attention to the cats.

We wanted to use him for breeding as he is a fantstic dog but the previous owners spoiled him.

He works really well considering he has only been in training for a few weeks.

What we are considering is letting him go to a breeder or owner that wants to breed from him in return for a bitch from the first litter.

If we bring a pup up with cats life is easier and the pup would know the pecking order.

We just cant get him castrated to see if it works as we then have nothing to breed from.

 

Any of you people out there think of anything else we could try or would anyone consider a swap with him and a bitch pup.

 

We havent formed a huge emotional bond with him and we love our cats more.

Sounds harsh but thats how we feel.

 

Tony

[gdunc]

I'd have thought that you 'only' need to train his behaviour towards cats rather than just give up on him within a very short period of time. I'm afraid i'm no expert on this but even that crazy little mexican off of the dog whisperer can do this kind of thing within a day or so. I'm sure someone can help with this kind of training.

 

As for breeding from him, unless he has a particularly good pedigree which is littered with FTCHs, he's an unproven working dog and effectively a pet so I doubt that you'll get much luck down that road.

 

Give the little guy a chance by training him rather than throwing in the towel at the first sign of trouble. That's what spaniels are about - for everytime they make you wonder if their little heads are full of hyperactive biscuit crumbs they make up for it by doing something amazing.

 

And may I add that by rating your cats above your dog I believe that you sir are a crazy man!

[fortune]

"CATS"!!! ===

Seems like a sensible sort of dog to me. After all who ever heard of a cat sitting at heal or a retriever cat or a guide cat for the blind.

[casts_by_fly]

Sounds like he doesn't know his role in the house yet. If he was spoiled in the past, he probably walked all over his owners and wasn't corrected much. The humping of the girls starts to confirm that. Personally, I'd start with a daily OB training regimen. In addition emphasize a few things that are second nature to a well heeled dog such as:

 

(1) you go through a door first and they come in only after you allow them

(2) you eat your dinner first, then the dog gets fed

(3) dog stays off furniture, so you go down to its level to play

(4) dog doesn't get attention from you when you come home until you decide (i.e. you ignore him until he has lost interest in you)

(5) sharp corrections if the dog gets out of line (like chasing/attacking cats or humping)

 

There are more small things like this that will remind the dog that it isn't the leader of the pack. You have to do those all the time. The obedience regime should be 10 minutes or so a day so that the dog recognises you as the leader. Then have the kids and wife do it. Once you get through that you'll need to set up situations where the cat is around and you are able to correct the dog for wanting to chase/attack.

 

thanks,

rick

[Guest The Outlaw]

I'd have thought that you 'only' need to train his behaviour towards cats rather than just give up on him within a very short period of time. I'm afraid i'm no expert on this but even that crazy little mexican off of the dog whisperer can do this kind of thing within a day or so. I'm sure someone can help with this kind of training.

 

As for breeding from him, unless he has a particularly good pedigree which is littered with FTCHs, he's an unproven working dog and effectively a pet so I doubt that you'll get much luck down that road.

 

Give the little guy a chance by training him rather than throwing in the towel at the first sign of trouble. That's what spaniels are about - for everytime they make you wonder if their little heads are full of hyperactive biscuit crumbs they make up for it by doing something amazing.

 

And may I add that by rating your cats above your dog I believe that you sir are a crazy man!

We have been working on it since we got him but because he knows he is at the bottom of the pecking order he is trying to big up himself.

He has his nuts and a cracking pedigree, Not every good dog needs it pedigree to be littered with FTCH's.

 

He is reged as Fancy you ag04334009

 

His sire is Helpful Sam x3178203x03

 

His dan is Shadeka Pippa ad02354505

 

I wouldnt give up a dog easily and havent with Jimmy, he has got worse daily despite different training methods, I have trained dos in agility and obedience to a good standard and know a fair bit about gundog training.

 

The cats were here first and we are worried about babies toddlers and cats come third.

 

Tony

[al4x]

remember he's still a pup and has boundless energy, my 7 month old GWP is a little ****** round cats at the moment. I'm looking after 3 of them for my ex until she can move somewhere that she can keep them and round 2 of them mine is fine but the other one she will chase. What yours needs is a cat that will stand their ground and fight back, mine has been put in her place a few times and its done a lot of good. The other thing is really unless you're really keen on breeding have his nads off it will make a big difference to him. Have you got a crate for him if not get one and that gives the cats some peace and somewhere for him to go when there are youngsters about. Springers are just bundles of energy so odds are theres a bit of play in this mixed up with over enthusiasm.

[Guest The Outlaw]

remember he's still a pup and has boundless energy, my 7 month old GWP is a little ****** round cats at the moment. I'm looking after 3 of them for my ex until she can move somewhere that she can keep them and round 2 of them mine is fine but the other one she will chase. What yours needs is a cat that will stand their ground and fight back, mine has been put in her place a few times and its done a lot of good. The other thing is really unless you're really keen on breeding have his nads off it will make a big difference to him. Have you got a crate for him if not get one and that gives the cats some peace and somewhere for him to go when there are youngsters about. Springers are just bundles of energy so odds are theres a bit of play in this mixed up with over enthusiasm.

 

He is 16 months old and the cats have made a stand against him but he comes back for more.

 

I have reduced his protein in his food as he is resting up and have segregated him from them.

 

We have tried everything we are happy with doin and it doesnt seem to work.

 

I have had cats and dogs all my life and this is the worst case yet.

 

Breeding is part of the reason we took him on in the first place.

 

So the nuts stay.

 

I know it calms them down but he is beyond it.

 

He goes for anything that has fluff and hisses and scratches, so he is fearless.

 

He ruled his last house and owners and thinks he can do it here.

 

Tony

[deeksofdoom]

You only have the dog about 3 weeks give him a chance at least, he's just testing you and the cats to see how much he is going to get away with. Same as you did with the MODS when you joined PW first

[gdunc]

He has his nuts and a cracking pedigree, Not every good dog needs it pedigree to be littered with FTCH's.

 

I personally would only sire my bitch to a dog that I knew personally as an excellent worker or that was proven in field trials and would always want to see a good spread of FTCH and known good lines. I would only consider taking a litter from her if I was safe in the knowledge the pups would be maintaining or improving the standard of breed. All imho.

 

If you need a working dog and he's coming on well and is still young why not get him into a kennel and run?

[Guest The Outlaw]

You only have the dog about 3 weeks give him a chance at least, he's just testing you and the cats to see how much he is going to get away with. Same as you did with the MODS when you joined PW first

 

I agree but he is in training every day and he still hasnt got to grips with the cat issue yet the rest off us are respected.

 

If I thought he would come round with the cats or at least ignore them I would keep him.

 

I am an experienced trainer and he has had every thing done with him and it goes in one ear and out of the other.

 

The similarities between us are there ok

 

Tony

[al4x]

Kennel is a good idea, the nuts are the biggest obstacle and they are the problem at the moment but I guess we all know that they are the route cause of most fighting and unrest

I take it he's had a proper talking to over the cats? whats happened is he's settled into the life got used to you and is now pushing the boundaries. Get him out and work him as much as possible, its hard work while the nights are dark but I'd say he needs far more exercise and keep up the training, you might also want to try an electric collar as its a non confrontational way of giving him a good batter when he's going after the cats

[gdunc]

Those spray jet collars are apparently good for this kind of thing too as the dog doesn't know it's you behind it and associates going near the (in this case) cats and getting a facial. You can then be there to offer praise for him avoiding the cats.

 

But if he's that much of a ****** in the house get him out in a kennel.

[Guest The Outlaw]

Kennel is a good idea, the nuts are the biggest obstacle and they are the problem at the moment but I guess we all know that they are the route cause of most fighting and unrest

I take it he's had a proper talking to over the cats? whats happened is he's settled into the life got used to you and is now pushing the boundaries. Get him out and work him as much as possible, its hard work while the nights are dark but I'd say he needs far more exercise and keep up the training, you might also want to try an electric collar as its a non confrontational way of giving him a good batter when he's going after the cats

 

The collar is something I have considered and as I am off work at the moment he is going to school every day.

 

Tony

[starlight32]

"CATS"!!! ===

Seems like a sensible sort of dog to me. After all who ever heard of a cat sitting at heal or a retriever cat or a guide cat for the blind.

 

 

Here here

 

Your dog would be welcome in my home or garden. I would not worry about it. A cat have to go before any dog would in my household.

[ChrisNicholls]

I have reduced his protein in his food as he is resting up and have segregated him from them.

 

 

That's your answer then, cats are a wonderful source of protein

[al4x]

Kennel is a good idea, the nuts are the biggest obstacle and they are the problem at the moment but I guess we all know that they are the route cause of most fighting and unrest

I take it he's had a proper talking to over the cats? whats happened is he's settled into the life got used to you and is now pushing the boundaries. Get him out and work him as much as possible, its hard work while the nights are dark but I'd say he needs far more exercise and keep up the training, you might also want to try an electric collar as its a non confrontational way of giving him a good batter when he's going after the cats

 

The collar is something I have considered and as I am off work at the moment he is going to school every day.

 

Tony

 

 

They stop springers running after hares so i'd place money that it would work. There also is no link to you so odds are it will gain a bit of respect, with our cats I have to segregate my dog quite often mostly in the mornings when she is most boisterous but evenings she'll often be found laying on the same bed as the cats.

[Cranfield]

An 18 month old dog is always going to be difficult (not impossible), to integrate into a household with children and other pets.

 

The kindest thing would be to try to find him a more appropriate home, rather than shocking him with an electric collar.

If you can't stop him from chasing and biting your cats, humping your children, etc., with almost constant attention, how do you think you will ever train him to be a good gundog.

 

I would also suggest you give up on the "breeding" idea, the parents you mention are not noted working Champions and believe me in the breeding world that is essential, also his behaviour doesn't exactly single him out as being very "biddable".

 

It would probably be best for you to consider if you really need a dog at the moment, if you decide you do need a gundog, then get a puppy and it will at least give you a fair chance of solving the problems.

[Guest The Outlaw]

An 18 month old dog is always going to be difficult (not impossible), to integrate into a household with children and other pets.

 

The kindest thing would be to try to find him a more appropriate home, rather than shocking him with an electric collar.

If you can't stop him from chasing and biting your cats, humping your children, etc., with almost constant attention, how do you think you will ever train him to be a good gundog.

 

I would also suggest you give up on the "breeding" idea, the parents you mention are not noted working Champions and believe me in the breeding world that is essential, also his behaviour doesn't exactly single him out as being very "biddable".

 

It would probably be best for you to consider if you really need a dog at the moment, if you decide you do need a gundog, then get a puppy and it will at least give you a fair chance of solving the problems.

 

 

I totally agree with you on that one and have taken steps to deal with him in this way.

 

Thank you for helping us feel we have made a sensible decision.

 

Tony Jane and Family

[Paul in North Lincs.]

I think you would find it it difficult for find a breeder that would be interested in a privately owned dog un accreddited dog, unless its bloodlines were sort after.

 

I hear you plight.......if it was me..I would remove the temptation......better still, if he's destined for working life...kennel him.

 

If hes he's got to go...contact the kennel club, whoc will give you no-s for the national ESS societies etc....you can them drop a lne to all the secretaries expliaing the situation, and they in turn wil be able to tell you if any of their memebs require you bloodlines.

 

There are plenty of ESS's out there for stud though......

[Guest The Outlaw]

Thanks for that I have had an enquiry already from a good and well known member of PW.

 

I hope he is happy and looked after wherever he goes.

 

I am a Springer nut but this is a tough one for me to deal with.

 

Tony

[Paul in North Lincs.]

It always is when parting with dogs!.........I have a friend who works for the forrestry commission and spend miost of his time vermin contolling...............he is a verty experienced dog handler and wanted a part trained ESS to work all year round with him as his work colleague so to speak.....

 

I had seriously thought about letting him to my friend...thinking what a lovely life he'd have, working all day everyday..... but selfishly I declined

[Blackbart]

Any dog that DOESNT chase cats is a puff!

[lurcherboy]

If you kennel your dog and treat him as a working tool only you will have sidestepped your problem Outlaw.

 

 

 

 

LB

[Guest The Outlaw]

I have now contacted the previous owner and she will take him back and I will help her with thier training.

However if he carries on his anti cat behaviour I have offered to rehome him.

I will re post if this is the case.

Thanks for the PM's

And useful replies

 

Tony

[Calamity Jane]

He is a great dog and I will be sad to see him go. He has been treated like a baby and spoilt rotten by his previous owners. I think we are being realistic in our decision as his jealously is getting obsessive and I do not believe in taking unnecessary risks especially when young children are involved........................

 

Calam