Marlee is my third dog in the last 17/18 or so years. First I had a rescue Westie, Freddy, at the age of 7 or 8 (he passed away Aug 2007), then Bailey at 15, and now Marlee at 23. And, it's STILL a shock to the system!! 2nd time round with a pup (okay, it's a little different this time round as I did bring up Marlee completely on my own, whereas I had my mothers help with Bailey) and it gets no easier! Haha. Although, I do have to give it to him, Marlee, 98% of the time has been an Angel from day one.
Marlee is the same. He LOVES the vets. If we even walk past he wants to go in. And when he does go in, it seems he's the same as Chloe. Wants to meet and play with everyone, dogs, cats, people, lol. I must look a mess at trying to calm him sometimes. I'm hoping it'll come with age, as he's still young.
I'd say Cocker's aren't a first time dog, as a rule. BUT that said, if you have done your homework, know the breed and its needs etc, and you put 100% in, then I don't see the problem.
Like I said, I'd had two dogs before Marlee, okay, smaller, less energetic dogs, but still. I was always surrounded by BCs, Lurchers, and other energy-type close family dogs, so even all my homework, and knowing what to expect, Marlee was still a shock to us, but, I'd say a part from having trouble with his walk-to-heal-on-a-lead, as a family we are doing fantastic woth our first Cocker, it's so nice to have an active dog. And, in the future, another worker is deff on the cards.