We have a 5 month old cocker spaniel puppy who knows to pee and poop outside and will even do both on command. However, he still will go in the house if he needs to; even if we've recently taken him outside. He will pee right in front of us, and if he has to poop, he'll go behind a couch or in another room and go. He has a crate and can go all night without having to go out. He is not neutered. We take him out after napping, playing hard and about 30 minutes after eating. He pees as soon as he hit the yard, and if I tell him to poop, he'll usually do his business, even if it's just a little bit. Am I being too ambitious to think he'll be trained at 5 months. Are cocker spaniels hard to train. We bought him at a pet store. Thanks for any suggestions.

Our 5-month-old cocker spaniel puppy will sometimes act like he is hyperventalating, gasping for air to the point his whole body convulses. It last maybe 10-15 seconds. He had kennel cough when we bought him from a pet store at 10 weeks, and have had him to the vet 4 times and he's been given 4 different antibiotics to try to cure it. Now the vet thinks he may have something wrong with his esophagus (somekind of a flap in their throat that gets stuck) and wants to run an X-ray. She said some dogs have this and sometimes they outgrow it as they get larger. Sometimes he will just gag like he has to clear his throat, especially in the morning when he wakes up. Has anyone had a similar thing with their dog? If so, was anything done to cure it or did they outgrow it.

Thanks

My female does a reverse sneeze. It's disturbing to hear, but I find she does it less and less. It is a good idea to have her looked over by the vet, pet stores aren't the healthiest of environments and usually the pups aren't from reputable breeders, so there is an increased chance of some sort of hereditary breed issue.

A lot of shorter snouted breeds gag or reverese sneeze.
Reverse sneezing, is caused by a spasm of the soft palate and laryngeal area. It is termed "reverse sneeze" because the dog is inhaling air rapidly and forcefully instead of expelling air, as with a normal sneeze.

Reverse sneezing is caused by irritation to the throat, pharynx or laryngeal area. This can be from excitement, pulling on the leash, inhalant irritants (pollen, strong odors), respiratory infections, post nasal drip, or for some dogs, sudden changes in temperature -- i.e. leaving a warm house to very cold outdoor temperatures.

One thing the vet should check is for a collapsed Trachea. Also a lot of dogs will cough and gag after a nap or being excited when heart murmurs are present.

Seeing as your Cocker SPaniel came froma pet store you may always have house breaking issues. The puppies have spent basically their entire lives in small cages where urinating and pooping is not only acceptable, but their only option.

I find when trying to house break pet store pets, never use puppy pads or indoor grass pads, this will only lead to further confusion. Be consistent, and watch for signs like turning and sniffing. When they use the bathroom out side, make sure to make a big deal out of it. Praise and even offer a small treat. Every time he eats or drinks brig him right out, and wait until he does his business.

Marking can be cured once your dog gets neutered. It doesn't always fix, but it sure helps.