Help! Cocker Rage?

[funkylad20]

I know a couple that are at the last resort with their two year old male cocker spaniel. The local dog warden/behaviourist has advised them to have their dog put down because he shows signs of 'cocker rage'. He has apparently bit a gentleman who tried to have him last week a they are rehiring him. I imagine the stress of moving to a new house, new people etc. could have been too much? Either way, he has not had the right training, discipline or the like. He is going to be put to sleep tomorrow and I can't help feeling like there is something I can do to stop this! He cannot come and live with me because I work full time and my own dog, a bitch, really doesn't like him. Such a sad situation but does anyone have any light they can send to try and help me in this urgent desperate situation??

[daisya]

Funky I admire you for what you have done/are doing, I do hope things will have a happy outcome and that if they don't go ahead that the darling doggy will have a happier life. Do keep us updated please, I'm just hoping for the best for all concerned and for you showing such kindness and good thoughts.

[funkylad20]

I kinda agree Johnny, but he is only two and in my opinion not at this last resort stage yet.

[funkylad20]

I have spoken to her this morning; they have tried CAESSR - spoke to the trustee Di Harrison at length and even managed to get her to call their behaviourist to make sure that they had given all information possible to try and secure him a future. They wouldnt take him either, its the cocker rage and glassy eyes that if he has that literally nothing can be done apparently. They would never be able to re home him and with his hip dysplasia couldn't be a working dog so his options were dramatically reduced instantly.

[daisya]

So sad to hear that funky...I guess I was being optimistic and hoping that someone would have him just to try a little longer to see if things could be improved. As you say, just two years old, it seems such a waste of a young life though can understand that sometimes not everything is possible.

[lankeela]

As you said in your original post, he has not had the right training or discipline. Cockers are a working breed and need something to occupy them. Also they are out at work all day - hardly a good start for any dog let alone one with the capacity to work all day. So sad that the breeder allowed them to buy a dog in this situation. What did they expect - a perfect dog without any input from them? Sorry but I can't help but feel the 'cocker rage' is just an excuse. It is only found mainly in Golden cocker but responsible breeders have bred away from it in recent years. Has the breeder been contacted? I don't know any rescue that would take on a dog known to have bitten - we have to consider our insurance restrictions and whether we could in all honesty rehome such a dog knowing it has bitten. There are far too many 'good' dogs looking for homes. Sorry if this is not what you wanted to hear, but I believe this dog will be better off pts. Just hope they don't get another dog till their lifestyle and attitude changes.

[ladybirder]

How sad, poor lad was doomed from the start wasn't he, first with the breeder and then with his owner. I feel ladybirder rage now for all these people who caused this to come about.
Lankeela, I'm interested as to why you ask if the breeder has been contacted. Is it to let the breeder know that he/she should stop breeding from the parents of this dog?
Funkylad thank you for your efforts but unfortunately the right decision has been made. Tell your neighbours to get a cat until such time as they can give more attention to a dog.

[lankeela]

ladybirder that is the main reason for contacting the breeder. However, a reputable breeder would want to know and offer any help they could and maybe even pay towards the costs involved so far. They may even want to take the dog back themselves if they believe the behaviour problems can be solved. Sadly there are many breeders out there who want nothing more to do with dogs they have bred once they have got their money. Not going to get into the 'blame all pedigree dog breeders' argument as all the Cocker breeders I know would be more than willing to help a dog they had bred (although I would hope the owner would have contacted them long before this stage). It also makes a big difference whether the dog was bred from working parents or show dogs, the working bred ones need far more exercise and mental stimulation. Show bred dogs would not get very far if they didn't have a decent temperament.

[ladybirder]

Thanks lankeela. The reason I was particularly interested is because a young friend of mine's parents recently bought a KC Cocker Spaniel which has been diagnosed with Syringomyelia. I have been urging her to tell them to get in touch with the breeder, if not for themselves but to let the breeder know so they don't continue to breed from the parents. They are reluctant to do so, goodness knows why. Can you tell me if there is a body that this should be reported to, to get it stopped?

[lankeela]

Firstly are you sure it is a Cocker, and not a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, as the condition is to my knowledge not prevalent in Cockers. Secondly they should definitely contact the breeder, whether or not they want to know is another matter, but any reputable breeder would have tested the parents before breeding. Until people learn to only buy puppies from health tested parents, be it heart conditions, eyes, hips or any of the other conditions dogs can suffer from then people will still produce them without testing to make as much money as possible. If I was spending good money on a puppy (pedigree or crossbreed) I would want to make sure the parents had been tested for every available test for that breed. Might pay a bit more but probably cost less in the long run with vets bills so high these days. Trouble is, all pedigree dog breeders get blamed when something goes wrong, but there is enough information out there now and people have to take responsibility for what they buy. Puppy farmers dont test, and many people who advertise puppies on internet sites or in free ad papers dont bother either. Go through a breed club to find a reputable breeder who does all they can to ensure a healthy puppy.

[ladybirder]

Yes of course I meant a Cavalier, sorry, still got that Cocker on my mind.
I will have a word again and see if I can change their mind.
Why can't we make it illegal to sell a puppy that hasn't been bred from health tested parents?
Sorry for hi-jacking your post funky, although in my defence it is sort of relevant.

[lankeela]

Why indeed? The Kennel Club have an Assured Breeder Scheme which addresses a lot of issues but sadly even they don't require all dogs to be health tested before breeding- some conditions do have to be tested for but some are only recommendations. The public are led to believe that buying a puppy from an ABS member means they will get a healthy puppy but it is not always the case - breed clubs are best placed to give advice as their members have to adhere to rules and code of ethics and know who is breeding within their guidelines.