Cocker
Spaniels are a very loving breed, but for a Cocker puppy to become a
well-adjusted, happy, out-going adult, he must be well socialized.
Young Cocker puppies need to be raised in the house and should be
handled, talked to and exposed to normal levels of daily household
activity and noise. Socialization should include interaction with
all family members, visitors and any other animals that reside at the
home. Puppies also need to learn how to behave and interact with
humans and other animals in public places. However,
socialization should be done slowly, over a period of time and
owners should try to be sure that these exercises are conducted in non-threatening environments where the owner can control the
situation and assure that the puppy only has positive, happy
experiences. For more information on socializing your puppy,
please check out my
page.
Cocker puppies can usually be
completely weaned by six weeks of age, but this does not mean they are
ready to go to a new home. There are many differing opinions as to
when puppies should leave their mother and siblings. In my experience
(with my own dogs), no puppy should leave the breeder’s until it is 8
weeks of age. I generally recommend that homes with young children
(under 6) wait until a puppy is 10-12 weeks old before they take it
home. Most dogs that have been raised by a responsible breeder will
adjust readily to a new family no matter their age. A responsible
breeder will be able to help you choose the right dog for your
particular family and home activity level.
I also stress that homes with
children must have a crate where the puppy can be safely confined away
from the constant noise and attention of rambunctious children.
After all, you wouldn’t allow your six year old to have unlimited
access to a new born infant would you? Puppies should be treated
with the same respect and consideration that would be shown to a new
human family member.
Many people worry about taking
an older puppy or dog home because they’re afraid the dog won’t be
trainable. This is not a realistic concern. I have placed dogs of
all ages that have been “kennel” dogs, “house” dogs and everything in
between. Almost all of these (99%) have made the transition to a new
home with excellent results. Failure of a dog to be trained,
housebroken or to behave himself is almost always due to a lack of
commitment and training by the new owner. No dog is ever too old or
stupid to learn. If new owners don’t try to rush the training or have
unrealistic expectations, then almost any dog can become a cherished
pet.
An older dog takes the same amount
of training that a younger puppy does, but many people run into
problems because they expect the older dog to be trained in a matter
of days. Because the older puppy/dog is bigger, they believe that he
must understand what is expected of him after they show him one time
or two times or ten times. That’s not how training works. Training
is repetition and reward until the dog performs the expected task in a
reliable pattern. If the dog is not able to repeat the task on a
regular, daily basis, then the dog is not trained.
New owners cannot blame a dog, no
matter how young or old, if he goes to the bathroom in the house or
chews on the furniture or turns over the trash. These actions are
always the fault of the new owner, because it’s the owner’s
responsibility to supervise the dog in a manner that makes it
impossible for the dog to do the wrong thing. Until the dog is
completely trained and 100% reliable, it’s not the dog’s fault if he
does the wrong thing. He doesn’t know any better!! It’s never fair
to blame the dog because you weren’t paying attention and he was able
to wander away from your supervision.
So, no matter what age dog you
choose to bring into your home, please understand that a one year old
puppy or an 8 week old puppy will take the same level of commitment
and training to become a perfect companion. When you take an older
puppy or dog, you must do the same repetitive steps that are required
of a younger puppy, without rushing to get to the next step.
Crate and house-training for the older dog should be handled just as
you would a baby puppy. Do not expect immediate
results or rush to leave the dog loose in the house just because you
THINK it should have the right idea. No dog should be allowed
unsupervised run of the house until it is 100% trustworthy, with no
accidents for at least 2 months.
The thing to keep in mind with any
new pet is that, regardless of the dog’s age and experience, your
family, home and schedule are all new experiences for the dog. The
dog must be trained, or re-trained as the case may be, to the
behaviors that are important to you and your family. This is
generally not a problem with Cockers as they want so much to please
that they will adapt quickly once they realize what is expected of
them.
Choosing the right puppy or dog is
where a reliable breeder is a must. Someone who truly knows and
cares about the placement of her dogs will help guide you to the dog
that is right for you. Remember when you are looking for a puppy
that a reliable breeder can sometimes determine what you want and NEED
in a pet, better than you can. A good breeder will know the
temperament of her dogs and won’t sell your 90-year-old grandmother a
hyper buff puppy just because Grandma likes the color!
A reliable breeder will try to help
you pick the right dog for your lifestyle. Puppy’s come in all
colors and sexes and they each have a slightly different temperament.
Some litters have little or no major temperament differences while
others can have littermates that are shy or fearful, hyper and
everything in between. Make realistic decisions about the kind of
dog you want and listen to the breeder’s recommendations with an open
mind.
Do you want a dog to jog with you?
Will he be making trips camping and to the lake every weekend? Do the
kids need a playmate? Is the dog a companion for an elderly person or
your wife? Are you gone a lot and the dog will have limited
exercise? Are you retired and want a dog that can travel with you?
Or go to work with you? Try not to get caught up in the color or sex
game. If you need a quiet dog that won’t scare a timid child, don’t
buy the over-exuberant female when there is a laid-back, quiet male
available.
Yes, you do have you’re
preferences, but don’t set yourself up for years of frustration and
anger by purchasing the wrong puppy because it was the right color or
sex. Each puppy is an individual and just because you once heard
about or had an aggressive black male or a “piddling” parti-color
female, you should not condemn all males or blacks as aggressive or
all females or parti-colors as “piddlers.” Be flexible or you may
pass up a dog that could have been the most wonderful companion of
your life!
