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Sprocker Spaniel- overly submissive

5 replies

PeppermintInfusion · 28/07/2014 09:09

I have a 3.5 year old sprocker spaniel (very small so more cocker than springer I should think).

She is generally well behaved in our own house- calm, non destructive, signals when she wants out etc. We also took her to puppy training when she was a pup (run by the owner of her mother) and she did well for the most part, as she quickly picks up tricks and games, though never quite mastered recall very well so we generally don't let her off the lead.

The issue is she is overly submissive, which I see seems to be characteristic if her breed.
Everytime we are out walking she lies down exposing her belly if a person walks past, not happy until they stroke her. She does the same for dogs but growls a bit if they come near her. If people come to the house she jumps around and submissively urinates (though this peeing is improving).
She doesn't seem to like other dogs, apart from my mum's but absolutely adores children- lets them pull at her etc.
She also pulls a lot on the lead but not sure that is related to the submissiveness?

Anyway, what is the best way to deal with this behaviour? As I said, she is overall well behaved (especially for me, as she seems to see me as boss) but I'm currently pregnant and obviously want to get her a bit better behaved so she is easier to manage with a baby etc.

Any suggestions welcome!

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JadeJ123 · 29/07/2014 13:01

I'd get a dog trainer in

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PeppermintInfusion · 29/07/2014 13:31

I'm considering that, but overalls she is a good dog so want to try some things myself first.

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foyley87 · 12/08/2014 08:51

In regards to the pulling i would get a gencon or figure of 8 which really helped my sprocker pulling (I swore that he thought he was a husky the way he pulled!).
If she is being overly submissive she needs some confidence building I think maybe try and get her to sit and watch you. Hold a treat in front of her then say watch me and hold it up to your eyes. Once she has mastered it you can try it outside when people are walking past. It might just teach her to ignore people rather than immediately roll over and be submissive. It's something I saw on its me or the dog the trainer is really good and alot of the ways she trains make alot of sense.

You could also try socialising her with other dogs on neutral territory treating and praising for good behaviour. If you chat to your vet they might be able to recommend either a trainer for you to help or somewhere that you can do that :) good luck but if she is great with children then that's the best bit sorted as mine is wary of small children but getting better since my daughter was born (she adores him!)

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foyley87 · 12/08/2014 08:51

In regards to the pulling i would get a gencon or figure of 8 which really helped my sprocker pulling (I swore that he thought he was a husky the way he pulled!).
If she is being overly submissive she needs some confidence building I think maybe try and get her to sit and watch you. Hold a treat in front of her then say watch me and hold it up to your eyes. Once she has mastered it you can try it outside when people are walking past. It might just teach her to ignore people rather than immediately roll over and be submissive. It's something I saw on its me or the dog the trainer is really good and alot of the ways she trains make alot of sense.

You could also try socialising her with other dogs on neutral territory treating and praising for good behaviour. If you chat to your vet they might be able to recommend either a trainer for you to help or somewhere that you can do that :) good luck but if she is great with children then that's the best bit sorted as mine is wary of small children but getting better since my daughter was born (she adores him!)

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PeppermintInfusion · 12/08/2014 20:18

Thanks, I'll look into those leads as think she needs a different type but couldn't didn't what sort to go with- currently have a harness on her and normal lead, though the lead doesn't handle the pulling well I think. She is particularly small (a little bigger than a westie!) so I really don't know where she gets her strength from!
I've had a few weeks of ignoring her when she's being too hyper/submissive, making her stay down and stopping/walking in a circle when she's pulling. I've also let her off the lead with a relative's dog and she gradually got used to it.
Getting there slowly but surely, as you've said she is great with children which is the main thing, it's just it would make my life a lot easier if she was better ok the lead and didn't jump up when junior arrives.

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