To sleep or not to sleep...!

[l3w15t]

Hi everyone, hope you are all well.  I just wanted to run a quick question by some experienced cocker owners.  We have a working cocker puppy (Thistle, 14 weeks) who we have had for 5 weeks now.  Generally everything has been going well so far.  She is adorable and has been good company and fun. I have been reading mixed reports about the amount of exercise and sleep that this breed requires, hence I am curious as to other peoples daily routine; what times do you typically exercise them? when are feed times? And the age old question of what do you do with them when you are at work/out/etc?

Thistle has her bed and (unlocked) crate in the utility room.  She often sleeps in the crate freely and we only lock her in there if she refuses to sleep or we need to sort out the laundry (... don't ask!!! lol!).  We both work from home and the back door is often open except when we want Thistle to sleep or we go out.  Our daily routine is roughly as follows
- up at 6:30, back door open and food down.  We have a few morning games/cuddles in the garden 10 mins or so and I'll leave the door open so she can free roam
- at about 8ish I'll go out and do a bit of obedience training with her for 15mins
- she's in shut in the utility between about 8:30-9:30 whilst we are doing school runs and errands.
- 9:30 let her out and leave the door open.
- 10:30/11 games for 15mins
- 12 ish, 30-45 minute walk in the local woods.  She is off the lead and mixing with other dogs and meeting people.
- she's then shut in the utility room until about 2:30/3 ish (we did try to allow her free play but she gets over tired so we're trying to get her to relax a little more).
- garden games at 3 ish for 15 mins and left to free roam after.
- crated 4-5
- tea time at 5
- garden games or short evening walk after tea.  We'll often be in the garden with the kids and for an hr or so.
- leave her to roam whilst we put the kids to bed
- cuddles and quiet time in the evening, bed at 10ish.

The reason I'm asking is that I am wondering whether we are over stimulating her some days as she doesn't like sleeping (whines a little).  When she is over tired/stimulated she tends to start jumping up and mouthing a little more (as well as hyperactively running around the garden like a crazy thing......).  I tend to crate her when she gets like that and after about 20 mins she's calmed down and back to 'normal'.  Sometimes I think she may be attention seeking and does things like destroy potted plants or run off with blankets, etc. 

How does this compare to others peoples routine?  Are there any things people would suggest doing with dogs during the day whilst your at work?

[MIN]

what a lovely name she has. welcome to the world of spangles.
Firstly, the hypoactive running about like a crazy thing is commonly known as the "zoomies". All do it and we all live through it (even the leaping from chair to chair and bouncing off the walls  )
As routines go, you stick to what suits you, no hard or fast rule. But it is recommended that pups are only walked for 5mins per month old although this can be more than once a day. if I have that wrong, so one will put us right.   Brain games can equally tire them out , find and fetch ,teaser toys
You have noticed the over tiredness signs are are doing the right thing by time out in her crate.

We need to see a photo of Thistle    so we can properly access her in the Ahh  gauge   

[l3w15t]

Thanks!  Pictures in the photo/puppy section! Have a good day.

[Geordietyke]

Monty (6 months) has 3 walks per day (30 mins each we're up to now!), 2/3 short training sessions daily and 2 naps of around an hour or so.  In between these times, he is free to wander downstairs between the living room and kitchen (usually wherever I am).  I can leave him in his crate with door closed for up to 4 hours if I need to go out (although rare as I work from home).  He takes himself off to his crate for bed at around 9pm, then let out around midnight for his last toilet break.  He'll then last till 6.30am.  Feeding times are now twice a day (6.30am and 5pm) with treats for training/recall and toilet performance (yes I still do this!).

This is the same routine we've had since he was 8 weeks old (I stuck religiously to the 5 min rule for exercise).  He usually has a "zoomie" early evening in the garden and will ask to play but in general, he is a pretty chilled pupster     Hope this helps.

[lescef]

Hi. You sound like you have a good routine.
Puppies need about seventeen hours of sleep a day and walks should be five minutes for each month of age, but you can do that several times a day.
I think you are right to make sure Thistle can stay on her own whilst you are in the house. As we are retired, Bramble was rarely left in her crate if we were in. As a result she became too attached to me and had to be 'weaned' off me!
Cockers like to be with people and can be attention seeking. Stand your ground!