annie

Here is the photo of Charlie. This is him at about 12 weeks, so he is now 22 weeks and lost a lot of the fluffiness. Will upload a recent photo after this weekend- we will pose for new photo's, maybe at the beach, because he just adores the water. Any water in fact. Thanks for any advice Annie

I would love to post a photo, as like all mothers I think he is adorable, but I was a bit hesitant, as I read this forum was for pure breed dogs, and my Charlie is what some of you may call a "designer dog" ( that is what he has been called by rudish people) I have been seeking answers to my problem, as I am very aware that if not taken seriously, his behaviour could escalate, so hence I sought out this forum. He is a cross between a english cocker spaniel and mini poodle, now looking more on the cocker side of things, and hence I don't want to offend anyone here. ( as a child I grew up with a english cocker spaniel, but as my mother is very ill, and I wanted to share the puppy with her, I chose this low allergenic puppy, mainly to aide in my mothers interaction with my Charlie. She absolutely adores him, and he adores her) So if not at risk offending anyone I have a great photo to post. ( my charlie actually stops and poses for photo's) All the best Annie

Thanks for your advice. If anyone can recommend a behaviour specialist I would be grateful _ I live in East Bentleigh in Melbourne. Charlie has been going to puppy/dog classes since he was 9 weeks old, and he loves the "social chit-chat of it all" My husband takes him, and he is doing well. He has no trouble, as yet again everyone there knows who he is, and he "chats" to everyone. This is run by the VCA. I also left him in my car earlier on ( 1.5 minutes was all ) before the heat started, and it was 18 degress, and yes, I wouldn't even think of leaving him in the car in these temperatures we have been having. At the intro to the VCA sessions we were told how bad it is for dogs in the heat, and what happens to them, so I am very aware. Have been hesitating about the 2nd dog, because of the increased responsibility. But given that , he is very social, and he follows my husband around , even trying to "help" him when he is doing things.He actually comes and put his nose into whatever you are working on, and my husband even had to give him a spare dry paintbrush for Charlie to carry around for my hsuband- cute puppy behaviour. Funny story- yesterday my husband walked to a shop, and tied him up outside, and Charlie cracked it big time because he couldn't go into the shop to say hello to everyone. But he quickly figured out that if he just sat there, looking cute and adorable, then those shoppers that passed his way, would have to stop and say hello, which they ALL did. He was loving it. My husband watched his strategy and thought it was very clever. So thanks again for any and all advice. Annie

Hi again thanks for your help. If I leave him in the car, infront of our local strip shops, and watch him while I am in the shop, he gets very distressed, and goes beserk, going from one semi open window to the other. I have left him alone once for about 15 minutes in the back yard, and when I got back his muzzle was all wet, which I can only gather as maybe panting or something. Sometimes I would like to have him not "there" when I am in my business role ( I have a home based school), as some of my students don't like dogs, so then I get a bit stressed as all he wants to do is say hello. I say to my students that they can say hello, and then ignore him, and he usually backs off after about 5 minutes, and then goes into the back garden, or disappears into the house to have a nap. If he hears me come into the house, he is up and checking on me. Plus he will always come into to my school room to check that I am still there, maybe up to 10 times in a 2 hour period. I have considered getting another pup as a companion, but I truly understand this is also a big step, as I couldn't cope if I have 2 "shadows", plus having 2 dogs is not a responsibilty to be taken lightly. And you will probably say he has me wrapped arpund his little finger, but I get a bit " stressed" seeing him freak out if he can't see me, especially when he can't "get" to me. He joins me everywhere,- in the garden weed pulling, getting fressed in the morning, he has even come into the shower on a number of occassions with the water running when he was younger. Any thoughts yet again. Thanks Annie

Hello, your help please. I have the opposite problem on leaving puppy (5 1/2 months now) at home. I have a small business at home, so since I got him ( Charlie ) he has been nearly with me 24/7 except in the past 3 weeks he has spent a few days each week with my husband at our holiday house, while I come up to the city. He copes OK with my husband but when we meet up again, he becomes my shadow. Even so as far as sitting next to me when I am in the toilet. He is very social, as my business has 60+ people coming to my house every week, so he has developed what I call " have a chat". He has to say hello to everyone ( and why not when they are telling him how cute he is) plus when we go walking or anywhere, he has to say hello to everyone, which in itself is a good thing. Now I am thinking that maybe Charlie considers myself as his "mate" as he will move rooms (even if he is sleeping) when I do. He will follow me everywhere, and gets really cranky if I go outside and leave him inside, looking through the door.!!! Plus since the age of about 4 months, on numerous occassions if I lean down with my right arm to pick him up, or give him a scratch, he will "latch" onto my arm and try to "bonk" it. He hasn't been de-sezed yet. Any suggestions or thoughts about this shadowing and bonking business. I love him dearly, and he is a little spoilt, but is this shadowing natural??? Thanks Ann