Hopefully, this will help new owners of cocker pups that can learn from our successes and failures.
Two weeks in after FINALLY getting another pup. Last dog 14 years ago; an amazing border collie. Wanting a dog with”something about it” we already know we will not be disappointed with Zennor.
The first two weeks have been fast and furious, a hell lot of fun and hard work. By hard work I mean the reconditioning of our human behaviour and environment so Zennor succeeds as much as possible during this key stage. It has been a very steep learning curve. We were confident the house was pup proof....hahaha...how wrong were we!
Here are the main things we have done in weeks 8 to 10.
Routine
Zennor loves his routine. He has settled well into it. We try not deviate too much from it. I think a routine for a pup is very important and it has helped us manage him better. One mistake we made early on was not enforcing enough sleep. Zennor does not know when too stop...he’s a working cocker, what did we expect! We have now increased the sleep/rest in his routine and he is better for it.
Crate
We have crated Zennor. We were really lucky with this as he loved it from day one. The breeders blanket and treats as the introduction worked wonders. In the first week we would let him take himself in there when tired. To encourage this we pre-tired him then reduced interaction with him and in he went and would doze off. Once asleep we closed the door. If he sits in it during the day the door is left open so he is free to come and go as he pleases. If we need him in there we pop him in and close the door. He is happy to be in there. Sometime there may be a little whine but it is ignored.and stops very quickly. There is a huge difference in a whine and a cry for “I need a piss”. So far no accidents in the crate and is being left in there for six hours at night now.
Behaviour
Too many things to begin touching the surface. I will touch on biting and nipping which has caused us the most frustration during these two weeks.
The pup just loves to nip, he especially loves OHs ankles and feet. This was causing her some distress and frustration which Zennor would pick up on and it seems to encourage him to do it more. He has been better with me. There were lots on NOs and STOPs early on...why...stupid of us...pup does not know what that means. This has been a very steep learning curve for us. We have ended up here....When we play with him he will inevitably begin to mouth and bite hands and feet. We say a very soft “gentle, gentle” with “Good boy” and strokes whilst he is gentle. If a nip or bite is too hard we yelp like a puppy and go as limp as possible (it’s hard sometimes, I had forgotten how sharp puppies teeth were). Zennor freezes, looks up with this spaniel eyes that say, “What have I done? Me....no, I didn’t mean too I promise.” We then make up after a short while. If the nips continue, we walk away, turn our backs and stop the play. Over time he is becoming much softer and gentle now. He does still nip but we are getting better at winding him back before he does it now. This is a work in progress and we are going to have to be very patient with Zennor afterall he is only doing what he would naturally do.
Toilet training
Only two daytime failures by us not reading the signs correctly or sticking to the routine. I am sure as complacency sets in there will be more!
Socialisation
Every day we have some socialisation. Zennor has not had all his jabs yet but there is plenty to do. He goes for a car ride. Friends, family and neighbours visit. We go stand by the side of a busy road with pup in arms...don’t want him on the floor without all jabs. New experiences exhaust the pup. I think if anyone wants to tire out their puppy then introduce them to something new.
Play/Training
We are not formally training, he is too young. Actions are being engineered with words and body language being associated to the actions. We have put him on the recall whistle with the “Chase me” game. Sit via food and play. Play retrieves. “Leave it” it with treats under hand on the floor. The biggest mistake we have made during this association training is occasionally repeating commands. We decided before Zennor came that the first rule of Pup Club was “Thou shall not repeat a command”. It is incredibly hard to do sometimes. The reason why is because our timing is off. We are getting better and Zennor appreciates it more when we are better behaved.
Funnies
The funniest thing I have seen so far was when sniffing about outside Zennor found a snail trail. He meticulously followed it nose down until he was upon the beast. He leapt at it...nothing...he leapt over it time and time again. Finally, he sat down, looked over his right shoulder at me in a certain way which said, “Why isn’t this bloody thing flushing!”
Finally, after every positive play session don’t forget the prize reward...here’s Zennor’s...like I said he just loves OH’s feet.
