I have an English Cocker Spaniel who just turned 18 months old and honestly this has been the hardest stage since I got him at 8 weeks old. We’ve been through the puppy biting phase around 4 months and the attention barking around 8 months. We have good routines, he gets plenty of rest, long forest walks, mental stimulation, playtime with familiar dogs, and we’ve done several training courses that have really helped us build a strong bond and good communication.
But the last few weeks have been awful. He’s started barking at joggers, kids on scooters, dogs far away, and today he actually chased a car and ran into the road. That has never happened before. Thankfully it ended okay, but I had to apologize to the older woman driving who got quite a scare.
He’s always been interested in other dogs but never like this. It’s becoming unbearable and I’ve started dreading our walks. What’s strange is that it’s so inconsistent, sometimes he completely loses it, other times he doesn’t even react when a jogger or cyclist passes right by.
I try to go out at quiet times, choose less crowded routes, and turn around or distract him when I see potential triggers. Friends with dogs say this is just a phase and that it will pass. Has anyone experienced something similar? I’m honestly so afraid this is just who he is now.
submitted by /u/violent-turkey
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