Recent Posts

Pages: 1 2 [3] 4 5 ... 10
21
Introductions / Re: Hello All
« Last post by Mudmagnets on March 18, 2024, 07:37:11 AM »
Lots of trainers (and other people too) claim they hate retractable leads, but used properly I find them most useful .
22
Introductions / Re: Hello All
« Last post by PeteQ60 on March 18, 2024, 07:30:22 AM »
Hi Pete and a welcome to you and Poppy. Spaniels are a breed to themselves. Busy, full of love, keen as mustard and so much fun. When we got our first working girl at 10 months old, we also were uninitiated into their world.  We wanted her to work in the field with us and trained her ourselves, by gleaning information from everyone and from all sources. We are a great fan of country shows, amazing how much help you can get from them. Gun dog training is a good way go go. It will get you the basics and control. You can also do the exercises in the home. Keep the training to short periods, they get overtired and lose concentration. Do not get cross or shouty, they are sensitive dogs.
We lost our Gemma in July, but next week Miss Molly will join the family at 10weeks old. Its over 30years since we went to puppyhood, so you are not alone in this new lifestyle.

I have to admit now we're a couple of months into ownership I'm not seeing "over tired" unless I'm not recognising it. Poppy has energy for days and weeks. I have heard that they become what you train them to be. The gun dog trainer told me to reel in the running and ball chasing over open ground as basically I'm training her to be an ultra-marathon runner and I would need to try to keep up! Also, as she gets greater confidence, she would be more likely to bolt and go missing, so I stick to hunt simulation in undergrowth, keeping her close by with whistle control. The gun dog trainer hates retractable leads and told me to bin mine, but I have found it useful when going to my son's football matches and when near roads, I'm hoping that in time Poppy and I will develop the type of connection that can replace the lead entirely, we're getting there I can see she watches me intently and my body language and where I'm looking and follows hand signals quite well but for now it lets her run close by and "quarter" and gives me the control failsafe. Now at 7 months she is really bulking up and being quite short haired with minimal feathering I can see she's all muscle, she's becoming quite a "unit".
23
Molly aged 18 weeks. We constantly have our fingers in her mouth. Either trying to remove some offending item or being used as chews. A sock has been dragged out by a thread. She will take anything within reach and boy o boy it's amazing her reach.  As you say swops don't work. I secretly hope she eats all the fridge magnets then we can hang her on the fridge door  :lol2: :lol2: :lol2:

 :lol:  :005: :005: you are wicked Min!
24
Health / Re: Willow
« Last post by ejp on March 17, 2024, 08:55:21 PM »
It's just awful, and for me, whatever decision I made, I would go back over it and doubt myself.  I really feel for you, especially as your usual vet is not available.  I assume there is no chance of a quick chat with her before then, given that there has been a change in circumstances.  I really wish I had answers for you.  :bigarmhug: :bigarmhug:
25
General Cocker Spaniel Discussion / Re: My WCS eating/chewing skill is off the scale
« Last post by MIN on March 17, 2024, 07:09:13 PM »
Molly aged 18 weeks. We constantly have our fingers in her mouth. Either trying to remove some offending item or being used as chews. A sock has been dragged out by a thread. She will take anything within reach and boy o boy it's amazing her reach.  As you say swops don't work. I secretly hope she eats all the fridge magnets then we can hang her on the fridge door  :lol2: :lol2: :lol2:
26
But to my amazement she somehow managed to retain the ear bud in her mouth and consume the sausage. I have to say those are impressive skills!

But not necessarily safe - best change your 'swapsies' maybe  ph34r
27
General Cocker Spaniel Discussion / My WCS eating/chewing skill is off the scale
« Last post by PeteQ60 on March 17, 2024, 05:43:39 PM »
If you check my introduction, you see I'm a total newbie WCS owner. Now at 7 months after inheriting her at Christmas. We're into our regular gun dog training sessions now which of course is 90% training me and 10% Her. But I just had to report a phenomenon I have never seen before (and as I'm in my mid 60s there isn't much I haven't seen or tried) she got hold of one of the kids Apple Ear buds (she's already swallowed a USB stick with no apparent ill effect) she obviously realised she had a high value item as all of a sudden all the families attention was on her. I tried my "failsafe" exchange trade, chopped sausage which she cannot resist. But to my amazement she somehow managed to retain the ear bud in her mouth and consume the sausage. I have to say those are impressive skills!
28
Health / Re: Willow
« Last post by Jaysmumagain on March 17, 2024, 03:44:19 PM »
I am sending all my best wishes, somehow these things tend to move out of our hands. But the one thing I know is what ever happens Willow is loved so very much and your choice will be out of love.

With Ollie who was 13 when the vet found a growth in his throat and she felt surgery was not fair on him - so we brought him home and had two wonderful years, yes with some ups and downs but never the less he was loved and content. We also managed two wonderful Ollie Hols in UK.  Weird how things turn out now it his Mum who finds herself in a similar position.

Take care of yourself Bob and my love to Willow.
29
Health / Re: Willow
« Last post by bizzylizzy on March 17, 2024, 02:57:34 PM »
Poor Willow, and poor you to with all this worry. You can rest assured that we all wish Willow the very best possible, and if it helps send loads of these for you both  :luv:

 :bigarmhug: :bigarmhug:

I second that!
So sorry that I have no advice but am thinking of you, please keep us updated and take care of yourself, we‘re all here whenever you need to share your worries.  Best wishes dor Willow  :luv:
30
Health / Re: Willow
« Last post by MillicentWight on March 17, 2024, 12:41:24 PM »
Thanks for the replies. My problem now is that I have been thinking too much and I am wondering if I am doing the right thing by Willow in ruling out an operation. Willow had a full blood count at my request and it came back that her liver enzymes were a bit high, her white blood cell count is very high with no reason was given and when I had asked for her glands to be emptied they found what they thought was compacted toilet  which they were going to syringe but another vet said were three lumps. One lump is quite large and they don't know how fast it is growing and I asked if it is linked to the white blood cell count being high. They didn't know and neither did they tell me that most tumours found in this area are aggressive and no biopsy was offered. Because Willow is 10, has diabetes and is blind the last vet I spoke to thinks they should just let things carry on the way they are and see what happens. Willow is the only friend I have in the world and I just want to do right by her. Bob.
Pages: 1 2 [3] 4 5 ... 10