Going to view my first Cocker Breeder on monday .....

[alexanders-mummy]

Hi All I'm very new here my name is Lise and I'm a Cocker virgin ,

i have owned dogs all my life & i was wondering if i could have some advice please, after a long search i have found a cocker breeder in Northern ireland (through the KC ) i was wondering what i can expect? i have never been to a breeder before, all my past dogs were rescues !

so I'm a bit nervous + excited I'm taking my Wee lad Alexander who is almost 2, so that can see his reactions to pups (hes OK with my mums dogs but i want to see what hes like with dear pups if it doesn't look good then it will be a deal breaker - i have to do right by both my lad and the pup.)

what should i be asking/ looking out for ?
how do i make sure that the dogs are OK ?
newbie stuff i know but how can i tell if health documents are real ? i read that people can buy them
the pup I'm viewing is a blue roan as i have done loads of reading and wondered if anyone here has had experience of "cocker rage" or is this a media hype thing ?
i read that it affects mostly solid colour dogs is this true ?
i also know that any animal is capable of turning /biting but I'm looking to minimise the risks (if that as all possible)
 
sorry for all the questions but i have to ask i have read as much as i can on the internet but I'm a great believer in learning from others experiences thanks in advance for your help and advice

Lise

[1sttimecockermum]

Welcome to COL, you've certainly come to the right place for cocker advice I,m sure someone far more qualified than me will be along soon to answer your questions  There's a really helpful thread on the home page under Frequently Asked Questions about breeders and puppies.  As I understand it cocker rage is extremely rare and with a reputable breeder that does all the health tests etc you should be fine.  I have a tri colour Dennis who's just over a year and an orange Roan Ruby who's 5 months. My youngest was 4 when we got Dennis and he did nip a lot as a pup (which Ruby does now  ) but I'm guessing you'll be expecting that  As you say any dog is capable of biting but my experience with cockers has all been positive 

[Joules]

This is the thread you need to read before talking to the breeder 

http://www.cockersonline.co.uk/discuss/index.php?topic=48072.0

Agree that cocker rage is very rare - I have only ever heard of one case I think and I know lots of cockers 

Good idea to do your homework though and you will find COL a fantastic source of advice and information.    I wish I had found it before I started looking for a pup - I would have been much better prepared. 

Good luck on Monday 

[babushka]

Have heard there's no such thing as cocker rage it's just another word for a very frustrated dog, these little dogs need LOTS of activity and mental stimulation if you can supply this  I doubt you'll have any tantrums

[cazza]

welcome and good luck

As you say you are getting a pup for a first time - can I recommend you look at this thread http://www.cockersonline.co.uk/discuss/index.php?topic=34194.0 it has some great books on I would recommend getting Pamela Dennison - The Complete Idiot's Guide to Positive Training as a good all rounder and worth reading once you have decided to have the pup or not even before you bring the pup home.

Please note that with a 2 year old child you will have to be constantly with him and the pup as the pup will do a lot of biting / nipping which is part of the pups learning, so to get the best results read up on playbiting etc and how to deal with it and help your child deal with it otherwise you could make matters worst (this biting stage feels as tho it goes on for a while but if managed correctly then it does stop)

Hope you don't think I'm preaching to the converted but forewarned is best prepared IMO - pups are different with young children than an older dog

I wish you all the best and hope that you get your pup and have a long and happy life together 

This is the thread you need to read before talking to the breeder 

http://www.cockersonline.co.uk/discuss/index.php?topic=48072.0

Definately a good thread to view - and there is a mass of information on here so have a good look around too 

[Jan/Billy]

wwooowww!!! exciting!!! 


Agree with everything everyone else have said. Just one more thing though, if you get there and things don't seem quite right and you feel like rescuing the pup from its surroundings, read this first..



http://www.cockersonline.co.uk/discuss/index.php?topic=12047.0



Good luck! 

[t1gg3er]

Hi & Welcome!  You've certainly come to the right place for help & information - I can't believe how much I've learned since coming on here!

As everyone else has said, one of the main issues with a pup is the nipping.  We have 3 youngsters now aged 6mths, 7mths & 8mths as well as our 3.5yr old & altho it took a bit of work, the nipping was overcome relatively pain free with all of them.  We used to give an exagerated 'ouch' or intake of breath & then withdraw from play every time they did it.  They soon figred out that hoomans are wimps & if I bite they won't play with me  

You'll also need to bear in mind that with a 2yr old you won't be able to leave them unsupervised for a minute - for both their sakes!  If you can't be in the same room, you'll need to seperate them.  A crate or playpen would be good for this & would also provide a safe-haven for pup to escape to when he/she wants to rest quietly.

As for Cocker Rage, well... It's extremely rare & shouldn't be confused with behavoural problems usually induced by incorrect handling.  One of ours is a solid gold (the colour that according to the myth, rage is supposed to affect most frequently) & he's the softest cuddle monster you could ever wish to meet.

So long as you handle, socialise & train your pup properly you should be fine.  Hard work - yes.  Worth every minute - definately!  

Good luck - hope all works out well for you.

[little_jack]

How exciting  . I would just say dont worry too much and enjoy it. Jacks my first dog and I actually took a list to the breeder to make sure I didnt miss anything which made me feel better/more prepared. Good luck

[Mudmagnets]

Good luck for tomorrow - hope it all goes well.

[Cob-Web]

Hi! How exciting!  I agree with everything that has already been said, although I wouldn't personally advise taking a toddler who has limited experience of dogs to see the litter, tbh    My daughter was three when we got Molo; she didn't meet him until he came home, where we could manage and control the situation in an environment she was familiar with and we could remove her from the situation when it got too much   

A litter of pups, plus adult dogs, plus the breeder (a stranger to your son) in a strange house will be a great deal for him to take in and you won't really be able to gauge how he will react when the pup comes home.  A good breeder will be cautious about rehoming to a family with such a young child anyway, and if your son becomes scared (which would be a totally natural reaction for a toddler), then the breeder may decide that he is too young to deal with a puppy; despite the fact that once you are home, and he has your support and guidance, he will probably be fine 

[SkyeSue]

Hi! How exciting!  I agree with everything that has already been said, although I wouldn't personally advise taking a toddler who has limited experience of dogs to see the litter, tbh    My daughter was three when we got Molo; she didn't meet him until he came home, where we could manage and control the situation in an environment she was familiar with and we could remove her from the situation when it got too much   

A litter of pups, plus adult dogs, plus the breeder (a stranger to your son) in a strange house will be a great deal for him to take in and you won't really be able to gauge how he will react when the pup comes home.  A good breeder will be cautious about rehoming to a family with such a young child anyway, and if your son becomes scared (which would be a totally natural reaction for a toddler), then the breeder may decide that he is too young to deal with a puppy; despite the fact that once you are home, and he has your support and guidance, he will probably be fine 

I agree with everything Rachel says. Good luck with your new pup and hope to see lots of pics 

[alexanders-mummy]

Hi all thanks for the advice and help ! I'm soooo tired but i just cant sleep !  I'm to excited ! can anyone recommend an insurance company for dogs - I'm not so worried about cost as i have heard that it is a necessity with a pedigree dog ?  what sort of cover do you need ? i have had a quick look but to be honest its all a bit boggling ! also i was wondering about names ! all the other dogs / pups i ever owned already had names or mum choose them ~  ! i think Ninja is a cool name but my mum says i have to call the dog back when I'm out ! so i was thinking about buddy ?what do you think ?

 :luv:Lise

[Penelope]

Hi there
I know how you feel - excited, but scared at the same time!!!
We are insured with Animal Friends and are really impressed - we have 5 dogs and wanted life time cover for them all.  We pay just over £14 per month per dog, and they guarantee to only increase their payments by the rate of inflation no matter how many claims you make. One of our dogs (Buffy the spaniel) has luxating patellas and we claim lots for her every year - have just got the paperwork for next year and it has only gone up by pennies literally!!

Good luck today - take your camera and let us know how you get on!
xxx

[6thSense]

You must be so exited. I love the name Ninja, but then I like the unusual names as I have dogs called 'Morgana who has ended up Manners for short and Talisman who is Tally. Solstice is Solly, Avalon is Avs and Nimue is Nim or Nimmie,so you can shorten it for calling if need be.  Mind you I do like the name Buddy as well.

[alexanders-mummy]

You must be so exited. I love the name Ninja, but then I like the unusual names as I have dogs called 'Morgana who has ended up Manners for short and Talisman who is Tally. Solstice is Solly, Avalon is Avs and Nimue is Nim or Nimmie,so you can shorten it for calling if need be.  Mind you I do like the name Buddy as well.

lol my nick name is nimm! i was to shy to ask to take photos ! but i am totally and utterly in love  the breeder said she doesn't allow me to call the pup Ninja, so i will have to think of something else  i  now want all the pups ! my wee lad Alexander was playing with the pups and they all loved him when one nibbled his finger he laughed and tried to clime into the puppy pen ! we met the mum and the dad of the pups and the mummy was super friendly Alexander tried to hug her and she leaned right into him and hugged him back ! - at this point my o/h who has never had a dog or any pet was sold ! it couldn't have gone better if i had wanted it to ! the pup seamed to pick us rather then me pick it - i was pleased with that, the only thing was i forgot to ask to see the health certs - I'm sure it wont be a problem and I'm hoping to collect puppy no name at the end of the week ! - i didn't like the idea of a puppy pen but now i see it is a good idea to give the pup some space and quiet time, where can i get a reasonably priced puppy pen ? the pets @ home shop didn't have any today. thanks for all the advice so far i got a great quote for insurance to !

Lise