Working Cocker Spaniel

[LittleLex]

Hi all,

I am getting a working cocker spaniel puppy in a matter of weeks and am already getting ridiculously excited! however I know she is going to be a handful. Has anyone ever had one before and got any tips?

Once she is developed I want to do something to keep her occupied (she wont be a working dog). I used to do agility with my old collies, has anyone got any ideas of what could be fun for both of us? I have also been on a bit of a low recently and would like to meet some new people.

Thanks for reading my first thread

 

[Star_Chaser]

Nice dogs if given appropriate training. You don't have to work a dog to do the training, why not have a go at gundog training (there will be local clubs) until you can start agility.

KC do their Good Citizen Scheme worth doing will keep you and your puppy in check, cover the basics and socialise you both.

Is it health screened? if not don't buy it, just because its working is no reason you should end up with a blind, ill or untested dog. Don't believe the nonsense people give about working dogs or cross breeds being healthier than show, its rot and an excuse.

 

[LittleLex]

Thanks Nfp20- I will look into the gundog training.

I plan to take her to puppy classes and get her well socialised early on but it has been a while since I last had a pup!!

Yes she is tested and both parents have had the necessary checks

 

[Luci07]

Lovely lovely dogs... We have 2 at the yard it they are full on and both owners have put a lot into their training. They both hack out as well

 

[Cinnamontoast]

Puppy parties! Ask your vet if he does them. I think Medivet do them. Great social event for you both. Classes, as many as you can afford.

Is there a popular walking area near you? When the pup is old enough for walks, you are bound to meet people as having a puppy makes you very popular!

 

[JACQSZOO]

I have a working cocker, she is 12 months old now and is a complete loon! She will be working this season and I have spent the last 6 months training her. She has the attention span of a gnat and if there are other dogs about any chance of any decent work goes out the window, she just wants to chase round after my other dogs. Get her on her own and she works well listens to commands and is getting the idea. She is actually very quick to pick up new commands, its her attention span thats the problem. She find it impossible to sit still at all, ever, unless asleep. I think I shall have to request that all other beaters leave their dogs at home this season!!!! I've had working springers before but never a cocker and she is much more lively than any of my springers ever were and working springers are pretty lively!

 

[Suzie86]

We take our five month cocker to gundog training which is really useful and good fun whether they will work or not.

Ours is not as manic as we were expecting and he is so intelligent and loving, I love him to bits

 

[Alec Swan]

.......

Once she is developed I want to do something to keep her occupied (she wont be a working dog). .......

Working tests are similar to proper work, except that they have dry dummies and blank firing guns. It's like proper work, except that there's no game involved!! In 1991 I had a working Cocker bitch who ended up as a bomb dog with the Met Police, and her search technique in the house had to be seen to be believed, it was enough to make you dizzy!! They do, as you realise, need something to occupy their minds!

Alec.

 

[Dry Rot]

When I lived out in the Scottish Isles, someone introduced me to the delights of eating sea urchins which are shell fish resembling rolled up hedge hogs, complete with spines! At low tide,I trained my working cocker to find them. It wasn't long before she was sticking her head under water and retrieving them (with her lips curled up out of the way)! I've a friend who breeds them primarily for field trials but a lot go for drug sniffing, etc. locating. But, for God's sake, get obedience training in early!

 

[gunnergundog]

When I lived out in the Scottish Isles, someone introduced me to the delights of eating sea urchins which are shell fish resembling rolled up hedge hogs, complete with spines! At low tide,I trained my working cocker to find them. It wasn't long before she was sticking her head under water and retrieving them (with her lips curled up out of the way)!

Wow! Got any pictures??? Have seen dogs in France hunting truffles but would love to see yours!

 

[LittleLex]

Thanks all for your comments!!! Only 2 weeks until she comes home can't wait to get stuck in!