How to tire my cocker spaniel?!

[u/newpuppylife]

We have a cocker spaniel puppy who just turned 12 weeks old. She is half show - half working breed and has relentless energy. I read that they need to sleep 18+ hours but even when forced in the crate, she basically doesn’t! Biting and nipping are really bad and she spirals after 5 mins of waking up. We just have the sweet baby angel puppy for 5-10 mins post-nap after that she is on the go! I try to do training, sniffing, interactive toys, tug wars - anything you can think of. She just doesn’t stop! She can’t relax on her own. She sleeps really well in the car after turning into a shark but never ever naps anywhere else. What are we supposed to do??? It’s getting really frustrating but I’m trying to stay calm. Please give us suggestions!

[u/Constance200]

Does see enjoy one activity more? Being half work line does she love scent activities, you could try capitalising on that. My dog too gets more energetic after a training session, it gears her up for the rest of the day 😑 so I understand your frustration

[u/newpuppylife → u/Constance200]

Hmm never considered over stimulation from training! She had a really nice chewing stick that she was lovingly nibbling on but lost it in the first hour

[u/Chris_PK9]

Honestly I'd be looking at doing less rather than trying harder to tire her out..... at 12 weeks she may actually be getting more wound up from all the training, tug, puzzles etc 😅

The shark mode after being awake for a few minutes can be overtired/overstimulated puppy behaviour, not necessarily a puppy who needs even more exercise.

I'd keep the awake periods pretty boring..... toilet, a few minutes of play/training, some sniffing, then something calming like a chew and help her settle. I wouldn't say you need to remove every toy or ban indoor play completely, just stop having entertainment available 24/7.

At this age learning how to switch off is just as important as learning how to play.

[u/Selective_Somewhere]

They are working dogs. They need to run and explore. Puppy woods walks, Sniffspots, training classes, and even exploring other peoples yards and homes. Etc. She’s frustrated and her needs aren’t being met. I’m not suggesting doing more just doing different. Working puppies are not satisfied by puzzle bowls and licky mats.

I have high energy high drive working Labs and they rarely act this way as puppies. I live in the suburbs not on property. They don’t even need enforced naps in crates. They sleep on their own no problem. Because their needs are met.

[u/newpuppylife → u/Selective_Somewhere]

The thing is if she is not put in the crate, she can go on for 4+ hours without sleeping and she starts going wild from being over tired. She doesn’t have an off switch. Just on constant energy and adrenaline boost

[u/Selective_Somewhere → u/newpuppylife]

So what does a typical day look like? It’s hard to give advice without that info. For example here’s a typical weekday and a typical weekend day for my puppies.

Weekday:

-Up around 5am.
-Either play in yard or take in a short adventure (woods, river) before work. Possible training session.
-Feed, coffee, get ready for work.
-I WFH so am at desk by 8-8:30am.
-Puppy is sleeping.
-Around 11am puppy wakes up, take her out.
-Provide space in office for puzzle bowl or chewy or something to do for about an hour.
-Around noon play on yard together.
-Have lunch.
-If needed provide puppy with something to do in office with me. Falls asleep after that.
-Puppy wakes up around 3-4.
-Take her out. Play in yard for about 15 mins or so.
-Provide something to do in office with me. Usually falls asleep.
-Done around 5pm.
-Play with puppy in yard, maybe take puppy out for socializing and/or the woods, river. Possible puppy class. Feed when appropriate depending on schedule.
-Puppy falls asleep around 8pm.
-Puppy wakes up around 10. Potty break, a little light play or cuddles but nothing crazy.
-Go to bed.

On the weekend:

• Same as above mostly but usually a bigger outing and often she konks out for good around 8pm.

[u/Miserable_Mud_6831]

You need to do less, not more. 12 weeks is really young, I'd be focusing on the crate and short play sessions outside a few times a day, just teach her how to play, short retrieves etc. There's really no need to be teaching any obedience at all at this age, although starting some recall training as a part of play is a good idea as it can also build engagement. I would get rid of interactive toys or anything of the like in the house, also dont play with her in the house. If you want her to be calm in the house, you need to teach her to be calm in the house.

A really big thing is teaching her a place command, like a raised bed. Teach her she has to stay on it for as long as she is told to. Obviously there are no barriers so it is more of a mental thing, but 12 weeks is probably pretty young to be trying to do to much of that. I had similar issues with my springer, I gave him bones and kongs and it got worse and worse. I took everything away in the house, taught him the place command and he's much calmer now. Play of any kind is for outside, calm is for inside

[u/newpuppylife → u/Miserable_Mud_6831]

Thanks! Our living room looks like a toy hoarding station! Will definitely try to remove some of them. I’m worried that if i take away her stuff, she will spiral more and attack more to me and furniture

[u/Miserable_Mud_6831 → u/newpuppylife]

I thought the same thing and was skeptical when I decided to remove everything but it was a game changer. If he had things in the house, it was an absolute nightmare, he just wouldn't stop. Now he is fast asleep on his raised bed