Im new expecting my pup on the 22nd and looking for advice

[carrie84uk]

HI there im expecting Daisy a working cocker on the 22nd of this month. She will prodominatly be a family pet, but as a working cocker i know she will need more excercise than a show cocker so i have started thinking about getting her into agility or the likes. But i have no idea where to start. Any advice, info, links to web sites or expiriences would be very much appreciated thank you xxx

[sophiew]

Hi

Bet you can't wait to bring her home!

There are some cockers on here that do agility, however they usually don't start training until 12 months old because of their bones still being soft / growing. You can do some basic groundwork though (not jumping) sooner, and the best thing you can have is a sound basic obedience (sit, wait, close, turns, attention!).

Have you thought about doing gundog work with her? You wouldn't have to shoot things! The Gun Dog Club does training course across the UK and you can work towards grades.

Sophie
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[carrie84uk]

Its not something i had concidered as i assumed i would have to shoot things  To be honest i'd like to give anything a shot. She is my first dog as an adult. Im a stay at home mum so it would be nice for me and Daisy to have a hobby together.

I am bursting to bring her home, counting the days i will be there at 9am on the 22nd to pick her up lol.

So what kind of things can i get into with my dog? Theres agility (when shes older, thanks for telling me i didnt know that  ) training her as a gun dog, ive heard about heel to toe work? Anything else thats worth concidering? I dont know aaaaanything about these things so sorry if i sound silly    but when you say working towards grades  what are they for? how do you achieve them? Thanks for your help 

[sophiew]

Hi

You can do anything with a cocker! 

Probably start by finding a decent (reward based) puppy class, or one that does the Kennel Club Good citizen scheme - Puppy, Bronze, Silver and Gold levels - good sensible training for pet dogs - and you get certificate / rosette when you pass each level. That will give you a good foundation of basic exercises and get the pup well socialised. Some clubs organise social walks / events too!

The Kennel Club site is quite good for basic info about all the dog sports

http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/activities/index.html

This should give you an overview - heelwork to music, working trials, a new thing called Rally - all sorts!

Sophie
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[Hurtwood Dogs]

Agree, find a good puppy class and go from there.

She will only need a small amount of 'walk' type exercise in the first year, too much and she could damage her bones or joints at this age. A good rule of thumb (after they've had their jabs obviously) is 5 mins for every month of their age, so a 3 month old pup should have no more than a 15 min walk 2-3 times a day and six month old pup half an hour a couple of times a day max. Once they are over a year they can do a lot more 

(start saving all the insides of loo rolls and kitchen rolls... great pup toys!)

[carrie84uk]

Hey guys i really appreciate that advice. I never knew the 5 mins per month. Thats a good way to work it. Well im off to find me a puppy class

[SkyeSue]

Hi

You can do anything with a cocker! 

Probably start by finding a decent (reward based) puppy class, or one that does the Kennel Club Good citizen scheme - Puppy, Bronze, Silver and Gold levels - good sensible training for pet dogs - and you get certificate / rosette when you pass each level. That will give you a good foundation of basic exercises and get the pup well socialised. Some clubs organise social walks / events too!

The Kennel Club site is quite good for basic info about all the dog sports

http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/activities/index.html

This should give you an overview - heelwork to music, working trials, a new thing called Rally - all sorts!

Sophie
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Good advice from Sophie 

Something I didn't realise when I got Chloe (also a working cocker, now 19 months) was how much mental stimulation they require. They are bred to be working gun dogs and if they are not fulfilling that role, then it's important that they are trained to use their brains in other ways. If you decide to go down the route of gundog training with a view to working her, then you'll find several people on the forum that can help you with this. Check out the gundog club website, you'll find out all about the grades on there. Otherwise, obedience classes and the KC good citizen award scheme would be great for you both to get into. Yes, they do need a lot of exercise as adult dogs, but giving their brains a good work out is equally important and I can tire Chloe out easily with a few clicker training sessions each day, even if she hasn't had a mamouth walk/run.
Simple things, like hiding their food in various cartons around the house, or hiding a favourite toy, can help them use up some of that adrenalin too 
Good luck with your new puppy; hope she doesn't eat the Christmas tree 

[carrie84uk]

Hi again i managed to find a KC good citizen award scheme puppy class about 40 minutes from me. Its a bit of a trek but its not that surprising as i live in the middle of nowhere  It will be worth it i think. They also run agility and fly ball classes for older dogs, so thats perhaps something to think about moving onto. Im not too sure about the gun dog training with a view to working her as thats not something i would be able to do so it kind of rules out us spending quality time together. I like the sound of the heel work training but cant find anything local. At least though ive now got a starting point, hopefuly it will lead to great things for me and Daisy  Thanks everyone x

[sophiew]

That's good news, and don't forget we expect pics of your puppy once she's home!

Sophie
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