Cockers and apartment living

[Sinsir]

Hello,

I am currently considering the possibility of a canine companion, specifically a Cocker Spaniel (Show Type), following a lot of research on their temperament etc.

I shan't be rushing in to making a decision, and I want to ensure that I have fully thought things through. I'm hoping that this forum community will be able to help me with a couple of questions!

My biggest concern is that I currently live in a one bedroom apartment, and although some books, articles etc., say that this isn't a problem if the dog receives enough physical and mental stimulation, elsewhere I have read that it isn't a good idea.

I live alone, but live on the doorstep of my place of work, and would therefore have the flexibility to be able to come home over lunch for socialisation, walking etc.

I'm sure that exercise requirements can vary from dog to dog, but I am confident I could do c. 30 minutes before work, c. 30 minutes over lunch and at least 1 hour in the evenings. I am an avid walker, and so probably do this much now.

Any thoughts?

[Emilyoliver]

Can't see any problem with it  .  My two cockers lived in an apartment in Berlin for 7 months and were fine.  So long as you commit to the exercise/ stimulation as you have already suggested, there is really no difference between living in a house with garden and apartment (aside from the convenience factor for things like housetaining puppies and quick wees in morning and before bed).  Cockers, particularly, are people dogs and just want to be with their people.  So long as you are with them, they're happy.  All the best with your search! 

[Carolynleah]

I can't see a problem either - as Emilyoliver says, cockers like to be with their people.  Nerys would be happy living anywhere as long as I was there too.  It will just take a bit more commitment regards going out for wees etc.

[MIN]

you will be alright, dogs don't need a bedroom to themselves they will happily shares yours 

[kalami]

We spend a fair amount of time in an apartment, toilet training with Molly was hard, trying to get a puppy to hold her wee in whilst we go down stairs, cross the communal areas, over the road and onto the grass was difficult.
(I don't think it's fair on others in the apartments to have a dog toilet in communal areas, we always take the dogs off the premises to toilet)

The main thing for us is the first and last wee. Particularly when the weathers rubbish is an absolute pain, not so much the first wee but the last one when you're all snugly and warm but got to take the dogs out

[julie1]

We spend a fair amount of time in an apartment, toilet training with Molly was hard, trying to get a puppy to hold her wee in whilst we go down stairs, cross the communal areas, over the road and onto the grass was difficult.
(I don't think it's fair on others in the apartments to have a dog toilet in communal areas, we always take the dogs off the premises to toilet)

The main thing for us is the first and last wee. Particularly when the weathers rubbish is an absolute pain, not so much the first wee but the last one when you're all snugly and warm but got to take the dogs out

This was the point I was going to make................If you feel you can commit to this it should be fine.   My grandson had to take his mum's dog on when she passed away, he lives in an upstairs (3 floors) flat; he was only 19 & the "cavi" was 8 so toilet trained.   The dog is now 10 & sleeps a lot, so different senario, but it has all worked out fine.   I worry he dog is on his own too much, but "needs must"  & all seems fine, even when Ben (grandson) has a lie in. 

[Sinsir]

This is really interesting and helpful-thank you all!   

I think I do need to consider toilet needs a little more carefully. There's a little green just around the corner, and I am only on the first floor, but I suppose one needs to just be very careful about letting one's heart rule one's head!

A few people I've spoken to about Cockers have been critical about the amount of exercise time I have 'scheduled'-what do you lot think of this? I go running early in the morning and figured that this would make a good start to the day (am fully aware that this will require a bit of training). I've also been told that, as a single person, it's not the right environment for a dog that thrives in a family environment...personally I think this is a bit silly. I have the time, energy and love to devote so surely it makes no difference whether or not I have 3 children!! However, if this is something people feel strongly about then, do say.

[Emilyoliver]

Exercise needs for a cocker will be suitably fulfilled on the schedule you have proposed. Mine have similar and are perfectly happy. They get more over weekends and also do training. As for the comment about a single person household not being suitable for a cocker...  Well that just makes me angry  . I am single and my dogs are perfectly happy and content (and don't have to live in a household where they may be teased, sat on, or yelled at by children).  I am also able to dedicate most of my spare time to them ( something not always possible when there are children to be ferried to school and back, to activities, etc). In fact I have a friend with a cocker who is actually quite an unhappy nervous dog in her own home because she's very sensitive and doesn't cope well with excitable children in close proximity. Family environments, single person environments, adult only households - cockers adapt and so long as they are loved they can suit a variety of households. Don't let ignorant folk put you off.

[Walshies]

Welcome to COL!

Some great advice here. One thing that comes across in your posts is that you are clearly thinking things through and want the best for your dog.  I agree with the others - your timings look ok to me as far as exercise goes.

However, What you will need to think about is your routine in the first few months. We found it very physically and mentally demanding and Fudge kept us very busy until he was about 6 months old - he has turned into a lovely dog and companion but the first few months were hard work in both his day to day training and toiletting.  You may have to pop back a bit more than once a day during the early months.

Whatever you decide, this is a great site for sounding out people for advice and help and no matter what you encounter when you get a pup, one of the members will have been there!!

Best of luck.

[Victoria25]

Poppy would be devastated if I showed her your walking schedule! You mean she would have to get up in the morning? It will really depend on the type of personality of your cocker. Poppy is the laziest dog I know.

We had her in a flat for the first 3 years and, as has already been said, the only 'problem' was morning and evening wee. Our neighbours got used to seeing us in our PJ's!

I would say you will need someone else popping in whilst the puppy is little. Or at least a long stretch off work to make sure they don't get separation anxiety.

Poppy would be happy as a one person dog. Very happy.

[BobnDot]

Hi Sinsir, welcome to COL.

Given the amount of time you're spending researching the subject I think you'll make an ideal cocker owner  , I just wish more people would act so responsibly.
As has been said, the amount of exercise is perfect but please bear in mind that a puppy will need much less to start with, gradually building up during their first year.
Cockers are very people orientated and can become hugely attached to their owners providing an enormous amount of quality companionship. I don't see any problem with your being in a one bedroom apartment but, in the early days of puppyhood, you may wish to make arrangements for toileting within the property as puppies sometimes have to "go" very quickly and without much warning.
As with all dogs their formative months are very important as is their breeding. I'd certainly recommend getting a puppy from a reputable Kennel Club registered breeder to make sure as far as possible that they come from healthy stock and have been raised correctly in their early weeks with all the health checks being carried out.
If you'd rather bypass the puppy phase there are lots of reputable rescue organisations with young cockers for rehoming. We have a rehomed cocker, Milly, who came to us at 7 months old and has proved to be absolutely fantastic, best thing we ever did  . Milly is my OH's dog while I have Chaz, a male working strain cocker that we've had from a 10 week old puppy. Very much a case of His'nHer dogs but one happy family when all said and done  . Two people in the house with two cockers....perfection.
Whatever you decide COL is certainly the right place for help and advice. Please ask LOTS of questions and look back on the various topics that have already been discussed.
The very best of luck with your research and, hopefully, we'll be able to welcome a new cocker owner in the near future  .

Bob.

[julie1]

Just another thought, I haven't done this but some of you may have,
Would a playpen with a bed in one end & puppy pads in the other end work for whilst he pup is alone  obviously with toys etc.

[Jaysmumagain]

Hi Julie and welcome!

When my little chap was young(he was 5mths old when we got him) we loaned from a friend a large dog cage about 3ft x 4ft this was his place and used to happily go into it, although did like the door left open, we only closed it if we went out.  He used the cage till he was about one then we got him into his basket gradually.

Another friend suggested a toy that you stuff food in....hope another COL will give the name, it was like a rubber cone the tighter you packed it the longer it kept him amused, when he was older he still would occasionally turn up with it and give that cocker look which meant go on fill it for me to play with.

I think you are asking all the right questions regarding getting a cocker,

Best of luck another Julie!

[Patp]

Welcome to COL

You could always try one of these especially good if you have a balcony http://www.amazon.co.uk/Indoor-House-Puppy-Toilet-Training/dp/B00BJ4KPCE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1401221604&sr=8-1&keywords=indoor+dog+toilet

Better I say to have an owner who is single, working close by, very committed than an owner living in a large house with an acre of land who is rarely home

[lescef]

I don't think there is any problem living in an apartment as long as the dog gets plenty of sniffing type exercise too, as that's what spaniels do best!
Toliet training could be hard work for you. You might be lucky and get one that trains quickly and has a big bladder!
Does it have to be a puppy? Breeders sometimes keep two or more puppies until they decide which has the best show qualities, then sell them at about six months. That way they would be house trained already.