r/cavaliers

It’s been a whole year since we adopted Peaches. I remember when Bosco died, and we got you a week later, I had a lot of mixed feelings. Everyone here was so supportive and I wanted to say thank you.

I simultaneously could not function without a dog in my life while also not being ready for another dog. I wanted you to be Bosco so badly and was mad that you could not replace him. You were so scared and sad. It took us both awhile to open our hearts. You have come leaps and bounds in a year. I have too. I think we helped each other heal. And while I miss Bosco more than ever, I am so glad that you are you. Peaches is an amazing dog. I’m so happy that we have each other. And here’s to many more years with you 🍑

Took my Cavi to a new groomer today, and this is how she came back. The cut is bad enough, but they gave her poodle feet!

We generally keep her feet trimmed up because she’s outside a lot, but are you kidding me with the nail polish?! Total ick!

Is this a trend I’m missing or is this as wrong as I think it is?

I was trying to take a picture of Bug's grassy-grinch feet, but caught her mid-bark for my new favorite picture of her. 😂

She also got a haircut today 😘

This furball isn’t happy that Daddy is allergic to him. Any recommendations on robot vacuums that we can run on a daily basis?

This is Molly. 75%. Cavalier 25% Bichon. Ever since her parents got divorced, she splits time between her mom's house and mine. I might be projecting my own feelings onto her but it feels like she knows she has to leave this morning. She loves her mom too but the transition is hard. I am looking forward to getting her back on Sunday, but honestly I'm happy to have some freedom from my clingy sweetheart. Does anyone here have experience sharing custody of their fur baby?

I would literally give my life for this little girl but she’s 8 months old now and her behavior with pigeons is driving me crazy. I’m just wondering if anyone else dealt with the same thing and how you fixed it.

She is honestly nearly perfectly trained at this point, doesn’t have any accidents at home, understands like 20 different commands, and is overall just amazing and I love her so much.

But whenever we are out for a walk and there is a pigeon nearby (we live in nyc, so this is always unless at night) she will lunge and pull at it and then bark loudly at it. She has this almost sad bark that is so loud and piercing, people look at me like I am abusing her and it’s so annoying. I’m literally just holding her back from running off into traffic chasing pigeons.

All the training guides say to reward the moment she notices the pigeons and freezes, before she lunges. The idea being that she will look to me for a treat after identifying them, but this hasn’t worked at all.

I’m also on harness/leash number 50 at this point, trying everything to see if it changes, but she pulls and lunges regardless.

I’ve resorted to playing videos of them at home on the TV to try and desensitize her, but she knows the difference between the TV and real life. She doesn’t really care as much when they are on the TV, she will look, but not bark at them or anything.

Please help. Pic of professional splooting and sleeping as payment for helping.

My Bramble is 9 months old and doesn’t have a ton of hair yet. His backside is staring to get flowy though, so while I don’t want to ask the groomer to start cutting things, it’s going to look unruly. Should I ask her to even out his sides? I comb and brush him daily but can’t seem to fix the stringy look.

I recently contacted a trainer recommended by my vet’s office to help with some emerging separation anxiety issues with my 6 month old boy. They came by for an “eval and demonstration” today. They did not have me demonstrate any of the obedience work I’ve already done with my boy daily since I brought him home at 8 weeks old and proceeded to tell me they require the use of an e-collar in their obedience training and that the separation anxiety issues would be fixed with that obedience training.

From the research I’ve done, this doesn’t feel right to me. I’ve been practicing gradual desensitization and acclimation with my boy to work through what I am concerned is becoming the early stages of separation anxiety, but was seeking additional support. I’ve also seen VERY differing opinions on the e-collar and despite it being described to me like a tens unit and not a shock, I’m hesitant to use one on my pup, especially as sensitive as cavaliers are. Often if I just look at my boy disapprovingly, it is enough for him to stop whatever behavior he is exhibiting.

Would you mind sharing your experience or opinions on this? I want to do what is best for my boy, and thought I was doing the right thing in reaching out to a vet recommended and AKC certified trainer. I’ve been trying to stick with positive reinforcement and gentle redirection. Should I proceed, find another trainer, or continue working on my own since he is 6 months and still has maturing to do?

Thanks in advance!

All grown up. Came home last week. Retired mama.

I like old timey, nature based names. Other dogs, collies, are Mindy and Gandalf. She's a little baby doll made of sugar. First cavalier after years of indecision. I now must have one for the rest of my life.

We call the crow Clarence.