for context, i have a 6 month old cocker spaniel female puppy who i got back in october 2025. she is a really kind dog, and very sociable. we took her to puppy school from 9 weeks old until she was 4 months old, which taught us a lot of handy skills like place training, sit, down, etc.
we are now 3 weeks in to an adolescent class with the same trainer (absolutely love her, she is incredible) and my puppy has started to become unable to settle in the car unless on my lap and in the classes, and will not take treats which is very unlike her, as she is VERY food motivated.
in the classes, she whines CONSTANTLY. she will jump/walk around our chair area and try to lunge at the other dogs and trainer. yesterday our trainer came up to us and told us that she's a little concerned with pup's behaviour, since she knows our pup has separation issues, but being unable to settle in class and in the car could be caused by anxiety. she says this is worst case scenario, but it is a little disheartening to hear. and she also said it COULD just be a typical 6 month old cocker behaving like this and then settling down after teenage phase.
i KNOW i am doing everything i can for my pup, but she is so difficult (obviously not her fault). i also adjusted our routine recently to include 2 walks per day to ensure she is getting enough stimulation and exercise, and it has helped her separation anxiety in the daytime (i walk her at 6/7am, then leave her alone 8-11am, sit and play or train with her until 1pm, leave her to nap then walk again at 4pm). am i doing something wrong?
we have booked in for a private training session, but it wont be until april as my family is going away (i am staying behind but would like my parents to attend as we all need to stay on the same page about training).
just hoping someone here might have had or is going through a similar experience!
submitted by /u/fairynox
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