Sorry, me again...

[Sparkle123]

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Sorry to be here moaning, so I want to start with the good...
Barley, so far, appears to be toilet trained now. The last three days, no accidents. That is really good.
Also, he is settling better in the day time. He doesn't return to his open door crate, but sleeps on the sofa or next to me on the sofa (and sometimes next to his Daddy).
This is showing progression, which is hopeful.
But, still really early in the morning, about 5am. After toileting, I put him back in the crate ordinarily (though if OH has to go out to work, that does throw the routine a bit and he plays up). And I am unable to go back to sleep and so am always exhausted. Try to nap in the day. And I have tried to take time out for myself as we talked about.
Paid out a lot for the second (or is it third?) trainer and she isn't much use. All she harps on about is routine, and insisting he has 20 hours sleep in a 24 hour period. I think he maybe has half that and I can't force him to go to sleep when he is in the crate. She says about reinforcing the good behaviour but doesnt say about how to handle the negative behaviour. The negative behaviour being totally nuts, hyper, zoomies, ripping at clothes (I have loads with holes in now) and tearing up the carpets, rugs, even his own toy box, the skirting boards are beginning to fall apart. She doesn't say what to do then. Just positively reinforce the good (do that), stimulate him with training and games (do that) socialise him and walk him (do that). She goes on about calming things to do with him but doesn't give proper examples. He has lick mats and so many toys to calm him. It is meant to be unlimited whatsapp support included in the package. I asked her how to handle this yesterday after she messaged me at about 7am, and I included videos of him being frantic and then biting me...no response. Waiting for her reply to today out of curiosity but then I reckon I will fire her and ask for some of my money back.
Barley has cost us an absolute fortune. I dont really want to get yet another trainer and pay more money. The very first one who suggested he become a police dog hasn't even checked why we didn't return to puppy classes.
I see others here saying about bringing a puppy home and I want to tell them...just don't. I wouldn't ever again. But that isnt fair to them as it does seem as if our experience is one not many could handle and is a bit extreme. I think most would have thrown in the towel by now, despite the improvements. Because this is so hard.
I can't even go to the toilet if he isnt in the crate without him tearing something up.
And we are going on holiday to a country cottage on Friday and he can't afford to damage that property. I don't know whether it will be an easier time or harder. May not be a break at all. Obviously we are bring a crate.
I just have to keep crating him to be able to do anything around the house.
I think I just came here to vent. I am sorry.
I just sincerely hope that one day I will be able to say that we have a calm and obedient dog. And that we kept him and didn't have to rehome him in the end.

 

[JoanneF]

Keep focusing on the good, you have achieved a lot already. It sounds like he is always going to be a dog that challenges you but I don't mean that to be a bad thing - it will be a bit like having a super-intelligent child that gets frustrated being in the same age group in school.

I'm sorry you haven't found the right trainer. If you want to say roughly where you live, there's a chance we might know someone in your area. I know you don't want to spend more but honestly, if you can find someone who is good and can get you on the right track, it'll make the world of a difference.

Regarding your current trainer, calming activities are good but quite hard to achieve when your dog is doing Wall of Death zoomies. Zoomies and crazy behaviours often happen when your dog is over-tired so I'd definitely teach a calm settle (see below), but use it before the episodes of hyperactivity. If your dog is already bouncing off the walls, that's when I'd distract him and use the time to teach him some tricks, but something more aligned with his energy level.

Have a look at these - they are quite short.

This one is longer but you can dip in and out.

 

[JudyN]

To an extent, the way of managing puppy zoomies is just to ride them out as best as possible. He's young, he's going to have his silly head on for much of the time, and he's not going to pay much attention to you. Have you tried giving him cardboard boxes to shred? It'll make a mess, but at least it's better than him eating skirting boards. In general for negative behaviour, the best strategy is to try to prevent it before it happens and, when it does happen, calmly (I know, not easy when pup is attached to your leg) put a stop to it and either give them a timeout or give them a better option. Now, that will look different for different households - it would be great if you could barricade him in an area of the house rather than crate him, either for timeouts or so you can get on with something else. There are lots of options, such as this: Yaheetech Black 6 Panel Dog Pen Metal Pet Playpen 63x63cm | DIY at B&Q

Could you take him with you when you go to the loo? Or will he just trash that instead?

I do despair of trainers telling you your dog should sleep so many hours a day, and what they should do - try telling that to the puppies! I sometimes feel that most of their experience comes from cavaliers or other more placid breeds.

BTW, coming here to vent is absolutely fine - you have a challenging pup and you are doing really well

 

[JoanneF]

Actually, on re-reading -

can't even go to the toilet if he isnt in the crate without him tearing something up.

Does he have things he can tear up? Just hide dry food in a box of old torn up paper. Some people (ahem, Mr F) still buy newspapers. I bet you could get piles from neighbours if you ask around.



Edited to add - cross posted with @JudyN again!

 

[Sparkle123]

Thank you Joanne. Those videos look good. I will watch them. Started the first. I live in Plymouth. Will try and find things he can tear up.
Barricading him into an area doesn't work, we have tried that. He can jump over but also we only have carpet, so he starts to tear that up. So all we have left is the crates that obviously have a bottom and mat. Oops, that was to Judy. Good crossing of posts and then I get your names mixed up! I am just so tired.
Yes the trainer saying 20 hours really does do my head in. And on her instagram it has about her taking time out yesterday to 'cope', yet she never even answered me yesterday. Wish I could take that time out.

 

[JudyN]

No need to apologise for mixing us up - I can mix up names even after a decent night's sleep! When I see litters of pups now I'm amazed at the contrast between how calm they are and how wild ours was. Come to think about it, I had similar feelings about my firstborn human baby too...

 

[Flobo]

As Judy said also, don't apologise for venting, it's always good to get things out there! I know @Hemlock has mentioned her here previously, but did you have a look at Emma Judson-Canine consultant? She does online consultations and is recommended by others on here, if you get 2 minutes have a look at her website and see what you think. And remember even small progress is progress!

 

[Tinytom]

I have had 7 pups in my life and numerous foster pups ...my deerhound Teddy has been the most challenging, he has chewed over £2,000 worth of rugs in the first 2 years ...he has exercise has his brother for company and has access to the garden all day as my mum lives at the bottom of the garden...this is unusual for a deerhound apparently as his brother who is 4 months older has been a dream ....it does get better but pups are hard work and a spaniel I would never have one .....Teddy is now just over 2 and has calmed down and stopped chewing ....stick with it...if you put the work in it will be worth it .....you are better off getting advice on here than wasting anymore money with trainers ....

 

[Sparkle123]

It just goes to show how all dogs can be unique, despite their breed. But saying that, Springer Spaniels are known ordinarily for their boundless energy. I had a female one once though and she was good as gold. But Barley...has been a nightmare today. It could be because OH is out at work. I don't know but he has been crated more than he has been out. The last episode ended with him biting me so hard on the foot. Real ouch moment. But as for trainers, despite me sending videos of Barley to this trainer, asking for her advice directly, she never answered. I am beginning to suspect that she didn't have the answer. And finally I said that her unlimited whatsapp support was greatly lacking and we wanted to dispense of her services and could we have a refund for the time with her that we now don't want. She just said, yes that is fine, will send you the refund and that was that! So one to avoid is this one; Eddy the Dog Trainer - Dog Trainer and Behaviour Specialist in South Devon - Newton Abbot, Paignton, Torquay, Exeter, Totnes, Ivybridge
I will still look again at Emma Judson but today has just been a bad day

 

[Flobo]

If you have a garden, have you tried hanging out there with him(weather permitting of course!)? You could hide some of his toys and teach him a 'go find', spaniels are very bright, you could teach him the individual names of his toys and get him to search for the correct one... eventually! That way he's occupied and you get to sit and relax for a bit... in theory...