[SABELLESMOM]

I can understand how life gets busy, you love your kids, and your Cocker Spaniel. It's nice to see you've instituted NILF. Still, you got this dog in October. Since that time you've come here and been very grateful for ideas and comments from everyone. It leads me to believe you are sincere.

Remember? From the beginning people have told you how wise it would be to engage the dog's mind, thru formal classes like obedience, or even agility. It's been mentioned before that she's bored and needs more interesting interactive kinds of play: Like setting up dowels or a ladder on the ground and having her walk over them. It will help her concentrate on foot placement. Put a board first on the ground flat and later over a brick (teeter) and have her walk it. Or even teach her fetch. Poke some sticks in the ground and teach her to weave thru them. It's OK to use a long lead if you have no fenced area.

Her mind and body need to be active. She's bored. Perhaps some self amusing toys, too? Mine like those durable rubber footballs with the wiffle like holes in them. The answers are still the same. Classes, activity, redirecting, and mind engaging play...along with the NILF, which you've started. You might need to engage a behaviorist if you let this continue.