Puppy Yelping

Question
QUESTION: Hi!  I have a 6 month old Cocker Spaniel/King Charles Cavalier mix.  She is the sweetest dog except when she wants attention, because she will make the most ear piercing yelp I have ever heard.  She will do this uncontrollably when I leave for work in the morning (she is not in a crate but in a "play area")and also when ever myself or my roommate, or my roommates dog, are not giving her the attention that she wants.  That could mean I am talking on the phone, washing dishes, or just talking to someone else.  Do you have any advice for me on how to train her not to yelp and cry when she wants attention?  My neighbors and roommate are beginning to complain! Thanks!!!

ANSWER: Cockers are world class screamers sometimes, so this pup's genetics are probably at work a bit, but the solution is NOT to give up and try to talk to or pay attention to the puppy just because her "voice" is getting on your nerves:-))  Ignoring her protests is probably better (no eye contact, no talking, nothing).  Then, even if it takes a half hour, once she is quiet for 4-5 seconds (count one-Mississippi, two-Mississippi...) you can, very quietly, tell her "good girl" and (occasionally) even give her a tidbit, such as a piece of a Cheerio, for being good.  

I advise you to get two books: "I'll Be Home Soon" by Patricia McConnell (this will help with the separation/attention issues), and "The Power of Positive Training" by Pat Miller.  If you have access to a good positive trainer in your area, it might be wise to enroll your dog in classes, especially since she is approaching adolescence, when dogs test limits even more.  She is not a bad dog, just an untrained one, and that's your responsibility to do, but try to prevail upon your roommates, now that you have some resources to refer to, to help you in the training process so that you can all enjoy the dog's company.  

At the risk of offending you, which is not my intention, I normally advise against people getting puppies if they live in a roomie situation, for this very reason - not everyone is as thrilled with a yet untrained pup as you are:-)  Older dogs are in need of homes, too, and you can often find one that is still active, but more secure and mellow and less likely to cause such problems.  

The other thing that bothers me is that you may have been sold a puppy mill or backyard bred dog that can develop anxieties just by the way they were handled in the first critical weeks of life.  You may want to Google on "puppy mills" and "backyard breeders" to see if you think you may have been taken advantage of by a person who is simply trying to make a lot of money selling mixed breed dogs whose parents are not bred or tested for their genetic soundness.  This isn't to make you feel badly, but you sound young, and if this is your first dog, you are on a learning journey that I hope lasts a lifetime in the company of dogs.  So, I'm hopefully just giving you info that will help you make more informed choices next time.  Now that you have this dog, however, I know you love her, so it's really important, especially since she's still young, to get a handle on training her appropriately.  Until you get the books, or in case you cannot afford them, there are some free lessons at www.clickerlessons.com.  Good luck and let me know how you make out.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------


London   QUESTION: Thank you very much for taking the time to answer my questions and provide feedback.  I am going to use the tips you gave me, purchase the book, as well as view your website.  These are great resources!  
I appreciate your concern, but I researched a great breeder and met the mother and litter a few times before I  purchased my dog.  I agree with you, it was not the best time to get a puppy having a roommate, however I am going to do the best I can now that I have her.
Thank you again for your honest feedback and suggestions!

Regards,

Michelle and London

Answer
Meeting the dog's mother is not the only criterion for determining who is and is not a responsible breeder.  Many "backyard breeders" are well meaning people, and some do a nice job of breeding for good temperament, sufficient that the dogs make nice pets, but some owners do get more than they bargained for with extra vet bills and behavior issues when the breeder doesn't provide enough social experience for the puppies before they leave the litter, or doesn't test each parent dog for the genetic disorders found in their respective breeds.  There's a lot of info on this at www.wonderpuppy.net.  Also, if you are interested in the puppy stages of development, here's a nice page with that info: http://www.diamondsintheruff.com/
By the way, even little dogs can do agility, so after you establish her basic skills, that can be a wonderful confidence builder for shy dogs or dogs that need some attention - making it constructive attention that she can look forward to can be very important.
All of us learn as we go and the dogs teach us more than anyone:-)  Good luck on the journey.