4 years on... || A very honest update of 4 years with my puppy 

I understand about high energy cocker spaniels are! 🙈😆 we have a 1 year Labrador and decided to get another pup so she had a friend, and we got a cocker spaniel who is now 5 months old. She makes our lab look laid back! 🤭 but they’re the best of friends! Best decision we made as they play with each other and entertain each other for when we’re busy around the house… only issue is our cocker is soooo jumpy! As in leaps up when she jumps, something we need to work on… toilet training is hit and miss, but then again she’s still only little… we got her in summer so just had the back door open to the garden, and now we have the door closed for winter she doesn’t so to be let out, so we have to constantly think about letting her out for a wee! Hope things get better with Oakley… how is he around other dogs? X

It's such a shame that people act negatively. It's soo helpful when people talk honestly. There will be a lot of pet owners feeling like you and if we are honest, even the best things have tough times. Thank you again for sharing Oakley. Totally understand why this would be the last video. Keep smashing those videos ❤❤

I think it's great when pet owners talk about everything, the good and the bad, because that is the real experience of so many people. It's a shame you have been feeling down about comments criticizing you, and I hope you can hold on to the fact that you actually help others prepare better for pet ownership by telling your real feelings and struggles.

Well done for being totally honest about everything. I have an 18 month old springer/cocker/collie yep what a mix of high energetic dog mix. I have struggled too. Like you i am sick of other peoples dogs coming up to my lad, his nervous and anxious that i now deliberately take him out when there are less people with rude dogs about. I avoid the morning rush and he and i enjoy the walks more. I accept that he will never walk to heel always his too busy sniffing and bouncing about being happy why should i care what other people think... his polite if i need to walk passed someone and walks next to me for a short period - then lunatic all over the place 😂 had sleep issues for 18 months whinning barking screaming but thats getting better but he still does it randomly. He is not perfect by any means jealously etc all the things you mentioned. My attitude most of the time is, he is what he is.... yes sometimes i get upset and frustrated when he reverts back to things i think we have mastered but hey ho - dont beat yourself up honey your doing great ❤

It's such a shame that these days it isn't possible to just talk about honest struggles and difficulties without people hating. It should be normal to be honest. Nothing is ever perfect! It doesn't mean you love your dog any less. We love seeing your doggy content. We even picked up some helpful tips from you for our cockapoo (she's only 8 months old). But I understand you need to take care of yourself x I also understand the struggles of comparing to others and high standards, I have adhd. Totally understand x

I did subscribe because of the Oakley content, so shame there won't be more but understand why you don't want to. I'll stay subscribed as I like your other videos too. Thanks for sharing what you did as I think it shows to people the realities of raising a puppy. The good, the bad and the ugly. Some of the things you mentioned are similar to my cocker spaniel. My 3 yr old cocker spaniel has seperation anxiety and also gets jealous so we have to put the baby gate up when I visit my parents and we're not allowed to give other dogs affectionate attention or he gets triggered. I honestly have no idea how to solve it - the behaviourist we paid for wasn't very helpful either. The biggest difference with my cocker spaniel is temperament. Mine is really laid back and always wants to be with me and cuddling so I'm glad to have that at least. I think Oakley loves you just as much it's just he has a different way of showing it. :) It's important to remind yourself that no dog is perfect. You probably know that already , but be fair to yourself as you have a great dog. x

It’s ok to love your dog and still struggle. I got my boy September 15 2020 as this beautiful 7 week old potato. As an early birthday gift from my dad. Immediately I started carrying him everywhere till he had his shots. I brought him outside my high school and everything was perfect. The world then shut down. At 10 months the most vital time he was attacked on our property which was over run by that dog. It was even walked up our steps. My dog didn’t poop on the property for and entire year after the attack when he knew the dog would never be back. He is now reactive and has low confidence and things that are now normal still overwhelm him. He’s scared of people in their own front yards because that didn’t exist for host first two years. He loves other dogs but is selective and loves people but again weary of new people. It’s hard. It’s so dang hard but I love him more then life itself. But it’s been a journey and always will be. It’s ok to struggle, he’s my first ever dog and i couldn’t have every imagined what happened to us.

Hiya I am getting my second spaniel this Saturday (they are my soulmate breed although my current is calm so I am in for a very rude awakening), and have been rewatching all your videos to prepare, he was returned to the breeder and is 4 months which is a relif as I dont know if I can ever do weeks 8 to 16 again. This and your videos have come at the perfect time, lovely with teh reality I need to prepare myself! You have doe such a great job with him. Dog training is a very sensitive subject for people, not only are there certain schools of through that dont mix, but people are very sensitive as no one wants to have done wrong by there dog even subconsciously, and people seem incapable of understanding that just cos you dotn want to do it/its not what you want for your dog, it doesn't mean its wrong. e.g. I don't crate train, because I cant be bothered, he instead has to learn to stay in a puppy proofed room. That's no better or worse than a crate its just different. I know its shitty for you but your videos have been so lovely to watch so i am very glad you shared them. Maybe turn comments off or set up strict auto moderation for the dog videos? Lovely video and gorgeous dog!

You should reach out to the Yorkshire Canine Academy! They should be able to help you :)

My 50kg dog lays on my lap 😂