CockersOnline Forum
Cocker Specific Discussion => General Cocker Spaniel Discussion => Topic started by: Mightyjoe on May 03, 2004, 06:13:03 PM
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We have had Oscar now for seven weeks and we can not express how much joy he gives us. The only thing that worries us is that for 4 days of the week he can be on his own for no more the 4 hrs, you may think we are soft but we don’t like the thought of he being on his own for so long. I think he tries to get his own back by rearranging the door mats, shredding any post that comes after we have gone to work, thankfully our post man comes before we go to work most of the time and of cause attacking the lemon tree in the conservatory. Do you think it would be better to have two cockers or are we being too soft, plus I don’t think my mum (the dog sitter) could cope with 2 dogs? She loves having Oscar and as already asked when can she have him to sleep over, if we got another cocker we might have to put them into kennels when we go away and that’s something I would not like to do, we are softies I know.
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Hi,
If you want a second cocker I think that you must wait till this one is a year of two.
My opinion is that a cocker (every dog) may not be longer then 5 hours a day alone. It's not soft from you :P
Why don't you put Oscar in a bench (I hope that you understand what I mean, I don't know the English word). It's save, if you learn him that it's a nice place he find it's very comfort. Then he can't doing anything wrong except shredding his pillow or blanket.
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Hi...
Jane one of our highly thought of moderators has written an FAQ on this very subject which you will find here http://www.cockersonline.co.uk/forum/viewt...opic.php?t=2017 (http://www.cockersonline.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2017)
Personally I can understand your concerns about leaving Oscar :wink: I to had to leave Buttons when she was a puppy as I work for 4 hours a day, although she was never left for 5 days a week due to my husbands shifts but sometimes it could be 3 or 4 days a week. One piece of equipment I found invaluable was my puppy playpen :) it was big enough to give her plenty of room...and I also knew that when I came home my house would be intact :lol: :lol: The good thing with the playpen was she went in it at night to, it also doubled as a stair gate and a time-out pen when she got to exciteable.
It sounds like you have fallen in love with Cocker's...I think all of the members of this forum feel the same way :D By all means get another cocker...but most definetly wait until Oscar is 18 months to 2 years old and let him grow up first :) sometimes having 2 dogs of a similar age can cause all sorts of problems, so for now...invest in a playpen :wink: and let little Oscar enjoy his puppyhood :)
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My personal opinion is that 2 are much better than one. Having said that, I agree with Anniemarie that you need to wait until Oscar is older before getting another one. He's a baby yet & needs to have his puppyhood. If you got another right now he would miss out on quite a lot. I would say wait until he's about a year old (& it will pass very quickly) & then get a rescue Cocker to keep him company.
Also, I think what Anniemarie means by "bench" is a crate. I've never used these but most people find that they are a good solution for a dog who is destructive. They also use it as a safe place for the puppy to go if there are visitors in the house. It's a long time since I had a puppy (I'm now converted to rescues) but if ever I had a puppy again I would use a crate.
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Oscar is not destructive, only the odd time he has a go at things. Most of the timehe is very good and the is no way i could put Oscar in a create, as i said we are soft and have given him the run of most of the house when we are at work.
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If you're averse to a crate, instead of the run of the house how about confining him to one room (maybe your conservatory) while he's still going through his exploratory (chewing!) stage? Not just so that he doesnt chew any/everything, but it will probably a bit safer for him too if that one room is made 100% dog-proof :wink:
Oh and Joe, get a letter-box cage - many, many of us have one because our dogs like letters for breakfast :lol:
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I can only echo what the others have said :wink: Vegas was 7 months when I brought Dallas home. Vegas was perfectly fine on his own but I thought he needed a playmate as my other dog is elderly. I ended up with double trouble and came home to find things chewed, ripped etc. which hadn't happened before. So it would be quite likely that you could end up with 2 dogs destroying your house instead of one :lol: I've found that they tend to copy one another :roll: :twisted: Oscar just sounds like he is being a typical cheeky pup :lol: I didn't crate my dogs when I went to work - instead I confined them to one room with the use of a stairgate which worked great for Vegas but Dallas learned on day 2 how to jump over it :evil: Perhaps that could be an option for you?
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My personal opinion is that 2 are much better than one. Having said that, I agree with Anniemarie that you need to wait until Oscar is older before getting another one. He's a baby yet & needs to have his puppyhood. If you got another right now he would miss out on quite a lot. I would say wait until he's about a year old (& it will pass very quickly) & then get a rescue Cocker to keep him company.
Also, I think what Anniemarie means by "bench" is a crate. I've never used these but most people find that they are a good solution for a dog who is destructive. They also use it as a safe place for the puppy to go if there are visitors in the house. It's a long time since I had a puppy (I'm now converted to rescues) but if ever I had a puppy again I would use a crate.
Yes, that is what I meant. We gave and give, his meal in his crate. When he is ill, he allways lie in his crate, we never shut the door anymore, but he finds it a very save spot :D
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Yes I agree with the others, we are only just in the final phase or getting our second cocker and Billy is nearly 4 (Not saying you should wait that long it just suited us :lol: )
As for leaving Oscar for 4 hours Billy is left for about that long for 4 days a week also as my husband works shifts, we have a neighbour who doesn't work come in on days that we are out for longer he either takes Billy for a walk or just has a play with him in the garden. Other than this we leave him lots to play with like kongs and other safe toys, Billy also has a dog flap that means he has access to the garden but I know this doesn't suit everybody.
Michelle
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I think we can all understand the way you feel about Oscar. I hated leaving Lottie when she was a pup (still don't like to for more than 5 hours max :wink: ) and I even changed my working hours in the first few months so that she was not left longer than 3 hours.
Like others have said, whilst Oscar is still young it would be much better to confine him to one dog proof room and leave him some of his toys to play with (a kong with treats in should keep him occupied for a while). Having the run of the house must be difficult for you to keep electrical wires out of reach of him :?
You'll find it gets slightly easier as he gets older and learns a routine. At 20 months old I am sure Lottie actually likes me going off to work now, it's treat time for her and then snooze time. :wink: These days she has the run of the downstairs and more often than not curls up on the sofa for a sleep. :D
I've often thought of having a second cocker and with everyone on here doing just that it makes it even more tempting and I know Lottie would love the company. But......there are a few reasons why it would not be practical for us so Lottie will just have to continue having our undivided attention :wink: :lol:
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I agree with the advice already given - can I just add - don't leave your pup in a conservatory unless it has aircon etc. At this time of year they can become very hot very quickly and that can be very dangerous for any animal - especially a dog. :o
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We got our cocker Bon Bon when our puppy Border Collie with behavioural probs was 5 months and its the best thing we ever did!!
Having just 5 months between them means we have got all the housetraining out of the way in one go!! Bon Bon is now 5 months.
She came second in her obedience class and barney was best in class in advanced last week!! I dont believe either of them would have come on so well without the other.
We have been lucky, Bon Bon copies the Border Collies inteligence and Barney copies the Cockers wonderful temperament.
They adore each other and play together and do plenty of play biting ,Bon Bon is in charge!!! although she is a quarter of Barney's size!!
Life is to short in my view to wait, 2 pups have been great for us and them.
Jane
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Lucky you Jane :wink: :D My two just copy each others bad habits :roll: Glad to hear Bon Bon is doing well.
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I echo everybody else too! Pammy, I couldn't agree more with you over the conservatory, its surprising how hot they can get, even if its not hot outside :?
I have to say, I personally think crates are ideal, as long as they are used properly! They do offer a safe place for the puppy to rest and peace of mind for the owner, its not a case of the pup doing damage to anything in the house, as I am sure we all accept thats just part of having a puppy, but from a safety aspect for the pup. If you cannot cope with the crate idea, then I would really consider confining him to one safe room in the house :)
Don't worry your not being soft, we are all the same on here :wink: :lol:
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I'm sorry I have to disagree with Jane...I have heard of too many stories of dogs of similar ages fighting to get a foothold on authority, although I am not saying that it hasn't worked for you Jane :wink:
If my heart ruled my head I would have had a houseful of cockers by now :lol: but practicality rules in this house with the added fact that I have to think of Buttons welfare and her enjoying her puppyhood :)
Dave, I have a crate which I only use for the car...due to safety. I must admit I am not too keen on crating during the day and much prefer a playpen, you can even add panels to the playpens to make them as big as you like :wink: My only concern for you letting Oscar have the run of the house at such a young age is that many dogs go through a rebellious teenager stage, and although his teeth are only little needles now..they won't be for long :shock:
I've attached a picture of a playpen...you can get ones bigger than this were you can add extra panels :)
(http://www.championpetsonline.co.uk/images/34944.jpg)
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I'd say 2 but wait until you've been through all that adolescent stuff 1st. There is 13 months between my 2 and it was very hard work at the beginning as Ruby decied she'd forgotten everything as the pup obviously was getting away with all this bad behaviour!
Crates aren't as horrible as they seem and mine has been a godsend with my 2. In fact they still use them as beds with the doors open. I've also used them recently for when I had to keep Wilf confined for 2 weeks (24/7!) on no exercise after an op (to remove a lymph node) and he was 5 months old at the time. I thought it would be a complete nightmare but it went really well.
I also have panels for mine that you can attach so it becomes a bigger pen.
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Thanks for all the advise, the is a lot to go at, I agree that the conservatory can get very hot. We do leave the roof vent open but we give Oscar the run as most of the time he will go asleep on a bed that he has at the top of the stairs. This is his safe place, if the is something that he is not happy with (the hover, lawn mower and the dust buster) he can be found a sleep up there. Most of the time when we come he is upstairs, we know this as it sounds like an elephant running down the stairs to meet you. He does not chew the wires, but they are very well concealed. There is only the odd cable, which is only 12v so this won’t do any harm. I think the mass of toys that he has and the lemon tree keeps him going most of the day. I am sorry but I still could not put Oscar in a create I would rather have him chew the plants or better still I could move them before I go out (I think Oscar is Training us) He is getting better with time in all aspects, something’s that he does I think he is just being mischievous like he will look you right in the eye then run straight to the tubs outside and pull a plant up and then look you straight in the eye again. You can see this as I have put a picture of him doing this in the puppy pictures. Well thanks again for all the help, Sharon my wife is off work this week so we should not have any problem.
(http://www.cockersonline.co.uk/photo/Puppies/DSCF2652?full=1[/url])[/url]
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Oscars Pic
http://www.cockersonline.co.uk/photo/Puppi...DSCF2652?full=1 (http://www.cockersonline.co.uk/photo/Puppies/DSCF2652?full=1)
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Hi There
We did the ultimate sin and got two puppies within a week of each other, one a cocker and the other a westie, both demanding breeds in their own right!)
So far we haven't had any trouble ( they are 9 months old now) but we do have 4 adults in our huse so there is plenty of time for each one to be trained / cuddled etc so there is no need for either dog to be jealous of the attention the other receives.
We did buy a crate for them from day 1 and also have a dog gate which confines the pooches to the kitchen and dining room (where their crate is). Both of these purchases were the best things our money could buy. We have had hardly any destruction as they respect our house and enjoy it when we give them permission to be in it. Their house is the crate which they whimper and cry to get into if they want space from us (or each other) and we have closed the door.
We now have two very well behaved dogs, with very good manners who are very sociable both with other people and other animals (not just dogs) and they are doing really well at training classes and are just about to be promoted into High School. They are still puppies though and do get very excited when the bell rings but their good manners prevent them being nuisance for very long!
So in answer to your question I would have to say two but not without some boundaries and rules being imposed on them both or I could imagine your house looking like a war zone when they are double trouble!
Have fun
Jane, Jessie Cocker and Saffi Westie
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Hi :)
Sorry but can I just mention here, that a small puppy should not really be climbing the stairs unsupervised, its quite dangerous from a falling point of view! Also puppies really shouldn't be allowed to run up and down the stairs at a young age, as it can cause arthritis in later life!
Oscar is just adorable, just had a look at the pictures! 8)
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I agree with what Emma and Jane has said. I would not give a young pup the run of the house either, especialy the stairs.
Crates are a godsend and arn't cruel if there used properly. :)
The dogs i know that are crate trained, love them. They treat them as there own little space, and often disappear for quite some time for a nap!. :D
Love Oscars piccies, hes a little cutie. :D
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At what age would you let them go up and down the stairs. I will need to get a couple of gates then as Oscar sleeps upstairs
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I have a six month old boy and he is crated when we go out. He has his toys, and treats in it, and will go in when he's told. He also sleeps there sometimes too. Because we have children it's his place, they aren't allowed to wake him or play with him when he wants a break, so I think it's ideal.
I personally wouldn't feel safe leaving Indie in a room on his own without his crate - when he was a bit younger, totally out of the blue he chewed through a cable, and he also eats plants given the opportunity - I know some plants are *safe* but he could have choked on it. I don't think there's a room here I'd feel ok with - if he was in a destructive mood, or bored, he could chew on furniture or carpets, he's not even a destructive dog, just a puppy, and can be very unpredictable.
It's all personal choice, but I wouldn't condemn a crate as cruel - they are actually a very safe option, along with puppy pens. Indie's is a metre long, so he has plenty of room. My friend was totally against crates, but after her lab pup chewing through wires, shoes, cupboard doors, she's now a convert! I just think with a puppy you can never say never, at six months Indie's always up to new tricks and I bet Oscar is too :wink:
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At what age would you let them go up and down the stairs. I will need to get a couple of gates then as Oscar sleeps upstairs
Hi :)
We let Indie up and down the stairs when she was about 6 months,(supervised) and to be honest thats probably too young too :? Its just while the bones and muscles are still developing :)
Hope you don't mind me pointing out about the stairs issue, its just that I would worry incase Oscar had a fall when you were out!
I know your not a fan of crates, how about confining Oscar to the kitchen :?: I think a lot of dog owners do this, as when cooking is not going on, the kitchen is probably one of the safest places, with wires usually being out of reach to curious puppys :lol: Wires can be dangerous, at Christmas Indie got caught in the christmas tree wire whilst I was upstairs, there was a huge bang :shock: when I came running down, she had actually pulled the socket box off the wall, in her quest to untangle herself :roll: I dread to think what may have happened had I not been at home to turn off the electricty :?
As long as Oscar gets his excersise when your there, I really don't think its cruel to confine him when your not home, providing of course its not for too long :wink:
HTH
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Thanks for that, we did try Oscar in the kitchen we we first brought him home. But as the Kitchen is below our bedroom we did not get much sleep, that is why we gave him the run of the down stairs (with a couple of nights of me sleeping on the floor with him, how soft am I) i will try putting him in the kitchen and see how it goes or it might put a get a the end of the hall as the is no wires there and he will also have the kitchen as well
David Sharon & Oscar
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Hi Sharon,
I think any new puppy owner goes through those first sleepness nights :shock: it usually only lasts a few days :) so Oscar might cry for a couple of nights...but then he'll soon get used to it :)
I started Buttons off in the kitchen...she has now manages to weedle her way into the bedroom :? but that didn't happen until she turned one and could be trusted more :wink: Saying that though she will be 2 in September and she is still eating my walls :?
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I didn't crate train my cocker Blue, but then I was lucky enough to be at home with him all day and keep a constant eye on his little antics :wink:
Blue has always slept in the bedroom with us, this was our choice and was what we wanted from day one, maybe I was just lucky or maybe it was the fact that Blue was comforted knowing that we were there but we never had a days problem with Blue he settled in without a murmer, we close the bedroom door at night so he never has the run of the house, he sleeps in his bed at the side of ours (Blues choice not ours :( ) and he only gets on the bed in the morning for a cuddle(http://www.emotipad.com/newemoticons/In-Lurve.gif)
I totally agree with everyone else that you must have a safe place were Oscar can go when you are not there, I have Bailey (new puppy(http://www.emotipad.com/newemoticons/Big-Smile.gif)) coming home soon and I'm having to 'puppy proof' my house all over again!! :roll: and I know that with two cockers running around there is no way that I am going to be able to watch Bailey as carefully as I did Blue, Therefore I opted to use a crate this time, as I thought there would be no other way for the pup to get any rest away from Blue or to give the pup time out when needed - for ours and Blues sake :roll: but.............. I,ve since seen that fantastic play pen that Gilly posted and have to say that the crate is going back and the crate will be here ready to keep my little Bailey safe :wink:
I didn't choose the pen over the crate for any other reason than personal preference crates as the others have said crates are perfectly fine and useful when used in the correct way :wink: :D
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we have 2 huge crates, the biggest available, plus a puppy pen and our 2 have human company 24 hours a day. They get left for an hour max but otherwise go everywhere with us.
2 pups have worked for us and them but I think this is because we have invested so much time in them both.It has been totally exhausting especialy as Bon Bon was poorly for the first 4 months so she has only just become fully house trained at 5 months!!
But if you have the time like 24 hours a day to do nothing but doggy things for 4 months plus then I say go for it! Our 2 are now settling down to cuddling up together and giving us some peace and tranquility for a few hours each day now, mind you at times i thought this would never be the case!
jane