Poached Posted February 11, 2009 Share Posted February 11, 2009 (edited) hi my mum has finaly agreed that we can get a dog and we have decided what breed to get and it is a cocker spaniel we have met the son of the dog that they are trying to get pregnant and he is gorgoes we have gone for a golden puppy if we can get one from the litter we have a coulple of questions about them though how would you house train a puppy and what coat care do you need for a cocker josh Edited March 20, 2009 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Madbird Posted February 11, 2009 Share Posted February 11, 2009 Hi Josh Congratulations!! I have a cocker spaniel and they are fantastic dogs. There are lots of great books out there on puppy training - the Gwen Bailey books are very good. As for coat care for a cocker.. well.. there is a lot to consider Do you know if your pup will be a 'show' strain cocker or a 'working' strain? As their coat care is quite different. Show strain dogs have a much longer, fuller coat which will require daily care to keep it in tip top condition plus routine trimming/stripping every 4 to 6 weeks (after the puppy coat has been shed) Owners who show their dogs will 'hand strip' the coat, which involves plucking out the longer guard hairs to give the dog a smooth sleek appearance. This is quite hard to master, tiring and time consuming. Most pet cocker owners choose to have their dogs clipped to keep the coat tidy. Neutering you dog will change the coat texture and it is virtually impossible to hand strip the coat of a neutered cocker and clipping is the only option. Why don't you join the 'cockersonline' forum - you'll get lots and lots of helpful advice! Oh and remember to post photos when you get your puppy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poached Posted February 11, 2009 Author Share Posted February 11, 2009 (edited) hi thanks jo i think they are show strain but i will check and will give an update if she is or not pregnant thanks josh Edited February 15, 2009 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Groovychook Posted February 12, 2009 Share Posted February 12, 2009 Wow Josh! Lucky you!! Can't wait to see the photo's when you get your pup! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
susanbb Posted February 12, 2009 Share Posted February 12, 2009 Well done.I really love cocker spaniels Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cooks Posted February 12, 2009 Share Posted February 12, 2009 I have a cocker spaniel too and she's a show strain black and tan colour. I might still have a book on them in my drawer I will look tomorrow and if I do I can pop it in the post for you. edited to say I have just looked and I have found it, if you pm me your address I will post it to you so you can read up on them BUT CHECK WITH YOUR PARENTS FIRST! they an PM me if they want. Its the Pet Owners Guide to Cocker Spaniel by Frank Kane. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
little chickadee Posted February 13, 2009 Share Posted February 13, 2009 Congratulations. With regard to house training I would recommend doing what the Guide Dogs Association get their puppy walkers to do. Take the dog out frequently at first, especially if you notice it circling or sniffing the ground. Stay with them outside and give the command "Busy" (or any other command word you want to use) give lots of praise when they perform and say "good girl/ boy Busy" Eventually, they will perform when commanded. This is necessary with Guide Dogs because you don't want them doing anything in a shopping centre etc! , but it's also incredibly useful for pet dogs too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted February 13, 2009 Share Posted February 13, 2009 I agree with LC, and be prepared for a few puddles . It is easier a for you, and more comfortable for them if you confine them to a smaller area when you first get the pup - they can find a whole house daunting, and washable floors are best until they are piddle trained. A crate trained dog is far easier to house train too. DON'T use piddle pads though - they only encourage the pup to go inside, which isn't what you want. take them out for a wee (as LC has said) after every meal/sleep and every hour (in fact almost constantly at first!) until they get used to the command and use a treat to reward them when they go in the right place. It's important not to tell them off if they have an accident indoors; it's not their fault, they just haven't learned to hold onto it yet. You may also find that they need to be taken out at night too when they are very tiny. Ruby was crate trained within a week, and house trained within 3 weeks of us getting her - it takes time and effort, but is well worth it - she has the bladder of an elephant now! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cooks Posted February 13, 2009 Share Posted February 13, 2009 thanks for the pm josh, the book is on it's way as soon as I get to the post office for you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seagazer Posted February 14, 2009 Share Posted February 14, 2009 Congratulations Josh. Its so exciting getting a puppy but also a lot of work but it will be worth it in the end. Can't wait to see lots of photos when you get the puppy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cooks Posted February 16, 2009 Share Posted February 16, 2009 the book was posted today, good luck with it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poached Posted March 20, 2009 Author Share Posted March 20, 2009 (edited) hi i am very excited to sy that the cocker spaniel gave birth last night [a day late] and she had 3 female and 1 male and we are having the male and are either calling it either hugo or otis and i am sooooo excited and to think this day could'nt get any better i am getting 2 new columbine's *update*:she has had another puppy which is male josh p.s:you can probaly tell i am excited Edited March 21, 2009 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted March 20, 2009 Share Posted March 20, 2009 i think they are show strain Phew! Thank goodness , I read the beginning and was about to say "dont get a working strain" as my sister has a working cocker (in a home enviroment) and its the absolute nuttiest, mental, hyperactive dog I know! Great news Josh bet you cant wait. Pics soon please. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
little chickadee Posted March 20, 2009 Share Posted March 20, 2009 Ooh - what exciting news for you. I'm getting a new Guide Dog puppy on Wednesday and am bouncing off the walls! Will you get to visit him when he's little? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seagazer Posted March 20, 2009 Share Posted March 20, 2009 Thats so exciting. You'll have to take lots of photos Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ziggy Posted March 20, 2009 Share Posted March 20, 2009 What lovely news... can't wait to see the first pics... We are planning to get a dog in a few months too, so constantly reading up on house training and what not, and taking all kinds of notes and generally making lists and asking questions... it's a lovely and exciting time... I've been wanting a dog since I was a small child, so I have over 30 years of waiting concentrated in my excitement!!! I'll need sedating the day we get the dog!! Looking forward to reading more about your new pup... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poached Posted March 20, 2009 Author Share Posted March 20, 2009 well........ i have been to see the pups tonight and they are so adorable and soooooo tiny. they were so small that it sat in the palm of my hand and fell asleep i am so happy now and we can go back in 3 weeks and pick the puppy that we want josh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cooks Posted March 20, 2009 Share Posted March 20, 2009 congratulations Josh! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted March 20, 2009 Share Posted March 20, 2009 Thats brill Josh He will be with you in no time My dog is called Otis - he is named after the lift company Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pagesguineas Posted March 21, 2009 Share Posted March 21, 2009 Hi Josh Just want to say something about the housetraining, I got a dog 4 years ago (not a cocker spaniel mind). I read up lots on how to housetrain and finally decided on a method that is very time consuming but is very effective. Basically you need to invest in a basic lead (not the stretchy ones) that is just longer than normal. Then what i did was tied one end of the lead to myself and the other end to my dog. For a few hours at a time just go around the house like you would normally do, your dog will follow. This may sound boring for your dog, but remember he has never been in this part of the house before so it is exciting. He will try to sniff everything! When he/she decides to relieve themselves, you are bound to catch them so while they are doing it give a gentle jerk on the lead, enough to make them stop, and say 'no' firmly. Then take straight outside and wander round the garden, if he/she doesn't wee within a few minutes outside come back in again. Also, regardless of whether they try indoors or not you need to be taking them out once every half an hour to give them all opportunities to go. When they do go obviously praise praise praise! After a few hours of this what I did was popped him back into his crate for a rest (he'd been tottering round for the last few hours). With this method there is no times when you find wee but it is a wasted opportunity to tell your dog it is wrong to wee indoors, as you must NOT reprimand your dog after the action has been done. With this method you always catch them in the act so every time they wee indoors you can say 'no' and take them out. It's why it's such a quick method, but would involve taking a few weeks of work. It was ok for me as I was in school at this point so did it in the summer holidays! Also because you are only giving them a few minutes outside to relieve, it teaches that they have to go out, do it and come back in. this is very useful before bed, my little dog does not dilly dally he knows he is being let out to relieve and comes straight back in rather than starting to play! Thanks for taking the time to read, hope this helps! Any questions just ask me. Catherine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pagesguineas Posted March 21, 2009 Share Posted March 21, 2009 ooh also it helps train leash walking, most dogs that have been trained this way pretty much always walk nicely to heel as they have had to do it while housetraining! Catherine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poached Posted April 9, 2009 Author Share Posted April 9, 2009 hi all another update last night i went to pick the puppy that we wanted and he has been called joey and the breeder said that if she could keep any puppy then that would be it! we have placed an order on pets at home and we have brought a selection of items that will be arriving on monday this is what we brought: a large crate which the person at the store said you could buy tht if you want your puppy to have an extravagant home this! a matress that came free with the crate! a puppy chew kong a chicken paste to go inside the kong squeaky toy and a comforter blanket we aree also going to buy special spaniel bowls josh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seagazer Posted April 9, 2009 Share Posted April 9, 2009 Fantastic Looking forward to some photos. Remember you and your family have to be the top dog. I really miss Cookie being a puppy. Puppies are so cute. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cooks Posted April 9, 2009 Share Posted April 9, 2009 Fantastic Looking forward to some photos. Remember you and your family have to be the top dog. I really miss Cookie being a puppy. Puppies are so cute. Lololol I was never a puppy... sorry couldn't resisit xxx Congratulations Josh, I hope your reading that book over and over ready for when you bring little Joey home. Spaniel bowls are great they stop the soggy ears! I have dog currently on my lap as I am typing, luckily it's not the cocker spaniel LOLOL, it's my yorkie pup. although she's getting big now at about 9 months! so almost a big girl! lololol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seagazer Posted April 9, 2009 Share Posted April 9, 2009 Fantastic Looking forward to some photos. Remember you and your family have to be the top dog. I really miss Cookie being a puppy. Puppies are so cute. Lololol I was never a puppy... sorry couldn't resisit xxx Congratulations Josh, I hope your reading that book over and over ready for when you bring little Joey home. Spaniel bowls are great they stop the soggy ears! I have dog currently on my lap as I am typing, luckily it's not the cocker spaniel LOLOL, it's my yorkie pup. although she's getting big now at about 9 months! so almost a big girl! lololol I guessed it would be too hard to resist at some point - I hope you don't get up to the disgusting things my Cookie does! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
