TinaK
Posted : 3/7/2007 11:18:53 AM
I have a working English Cocker (also named Jack), and I know that both breeds at some point, came from the same litter. To build their confidence you need to get them to do what they were bred to do - jump up to catch objects, retrieve, find a scent (hide and seek). My dog's favorite game to play is when I lay out objects and ask him to bring the one I call. It's very easy to teach a Springer to do it. These sort of games will build his confidence in general, and allow him to direct his energy towards something productive
When me and my husband are both at home, and one of us takes the dog out, he'd often refuse to leave and wait for the other... I don't know if it's a Spaniel thing. We have to drug him sometimes. We taught Jack "Such and such stays" - meaning - "this person is not coming", when I say it he doesn't protest and continues walking with whoever. Maybe you could try that...
Do you know anything about his past? How does he behave when you leave him along? does he have submissive urination?