Just wanted to post so say thanks for all the support I got through those first difficult weeks with Woody - we are now out in the big bad world and yesterday went to a local park where we met two 14 week old Cockers - Ollie and Mac - and their owner. It was sooo lovely to meet a fellow Cocker-lover and swap stories!!
We spent ten minutes walking him on his lead around the grass and then five minutes throwing a ball for him and then we just sat on the lawn (as a family!) and watched the world go by. Woody was wonderful - jumping up to play with other dogs as they came past and running back to us as soon as my husband called him.
We were definitely right to wait until two weeks after his vaccinations to take him to the park (more good advice there from you all!) and Woody was very relaxed around the various ducks and geese and coped brilliantly when four children petted him all at once - he even let the oldest girl hold him for a cuddle and not a single nip or moan!!
What a long post ..... but just wanted to share our first happy family outing!!