First, hello to all dog lovers,

Sorry that this post is a bit lengthy. But, I’d like to be as descriptive as possible in seeking your advice.

We have had a now 4-month-old English Cocker Spaniel (Abbey) owner for 3 weeks and have been done lot of research by reading Leerburg articles and blogs (which btw helped us take care of her loose stool problem by adding pumpkin to her diet) and watching 8-wk-to-8-mth, Basic Obedience, and Pack Structure DVDs on how to properly raise a puppy.

My wife works out of town during the week. So, I handle her during the weekend and let my wife do it during weekend because I would like to have her bond with both of us. And, the ways we both handle her are consistent. We have been crate-training the pup. And, I would say she is doing quite well in the crate (not barking excessively) and keeping it clean and doing clicker training with her everyday, at least 3 sessions a day for over 2 weeks in the kitchen.

We would appreciate any advice or comments on how I should deal with her in distracting environment in these situations.

1) As we live in an apartment complex which needless to say is full of distraction the minute we get out of the apt door to take her out for potty. It starts from walking in a hallway to take an elevator down, then out of the bldg, then walk to the street where her designated potty spot is, then to a trash bin a bit further back, and then repeat to go back to the apt. As days go by, more and more she is distracted to everything around (mostly on the ground as she likes to pick up snacks of all kinds (rocks, woodchips, nails, battery, broken pieces of grass, you name it) and pulled the leash in all directions. I really can't complain because she is tiny compared to most of your dogs (i.e GSD) and have no problem holding her back from going or pulling her out (just pull not pop the leash). But, I wouldn't want her to get into the habit of pulling leash at will. I understand that a prong collar may be an option but I think she is too young for that. If not a prong collar, how should we deal with her in the mean time? Recently, I have done crate-to-potty delivery service by carrying her down and up to save her distractions and my occasional frustrations but am not sure if this is the right thing to do while waiting for her to grow up (if she ever survives all of snacks she is supposed to have that we are not fast enough to take it out of her mouth.).

2) I started to take her out to a public yard (where there was nobody around) to play. And, all she wanted to do was sniffing and snacking everything she could put in her mouth on the ground. She wasn't interested in me, toys, or even treats (although she has one heck of a food drive). And, needless to say, no commands worked for her. She acted like I didn’t exist. So, I'm a bit lost on what I should do. I would like her to play with me or at least walk so that she would get some exercise and be tired and, hopefully, makes a bit more bonding with me. But, nothing seemed to work. And, I got quite frustrated, more like with myself, on not knowing what to do. I know I shouldn't be because the dog could sense it. But, I just couldn’t help it.

3) We have read a lot about how important and strictly enforced “Come” command (get back here type) should be. But, with the little princess is still very young and often too distracted, what should we do when she does not come when called (or even show a sign of acknowledging our voice)? Should we never use “come” to call her in a situation where we are fairly she wouldn’t come due to high level of distractions and simply walk over to pick her up? Actually, that’s why we carry her to potty these days because she gets into another thing in a spilt second once she is put on the ground. Or, are there any “gentle” corrections we should do while not spoiling her temperament?

Any thought or comment would be greatly appreciated.

I can start this off with #3. Right, you never call the dog if you have any doubt about compliance and cannot reinforce it (long line), because it teaches the dog that the recall is optional every time you call and she decides not to comply.

BTW, you don't mean that she is off-line outside, right, with no recall and in a public yard?

I also want to say a proper Welcome, too, and thank you for re-doing your post.

Also want to say that you are asking good questions, that all of this is normal, and that this can all be "fixed" with fun training.

Squeeky toys make regaining a young dog's attention very easy.

If you have a special, "potty-time only" squeeky toy that she gets to play with ONLY during potty times (and it is completely out of sight the rest of the time) you may find yourself keeping her attention quite easily.

Confucious say, puppy always get reward. Too young not to.

Also say, puppy on leash, ALWAYS come. Reel in like furry fish.

 Quote: Alyssa Myracle

Confucious say, puppy always get reward. Too young not to.

Also say, puppy on leash, ALWAYS come. Reel in like furry fish.

Boy, this Confucious fella sure comes up with some wise dog training advice eh?


(Furry fish... LMAO!!!)

Pat, I would consider some AKC-style tracking with this puppy.
She seems to enjoy rooting around on the ground for treats.
That is a precursor to tracking!

Happy, tired dogs are GOOD dogs.

 Quote: Alyssa Myracle

Pat, I would consider some AKC-style tracking with this puppy.
She seems to enjoy rooting around on the ground for treats.
That is a precursor to tracking!

Happy, tired dogs are GOOD dogs.

Thank you for great advice. Perhaps, she would be good enough to fine enough nickles and dimes on the ground so that her daddy can quit his full-time job.

No, but if she does show an aptitude for scenting, there are many profitable applications out there.
Mold detection seems to be becoming very popular.

What I did for the distractions was teach my pup "leave it" while inside. I say "leave it", wait a split second, pop the leash very lightly (just enough to get a redirection), and then act really happy when he looks at me and tell him "good boy" for listening. We had to teach him this so he'd quit picking up sticks, leaves, grass, and rocks.

It's also worked extremely well for when he sees something exciting (another dog, child, etc.) on our walks.