Advice on potential ‘failed’ gundog puppy - 6 months

[fionamarymac]

Thanks all for your replies and advice, what a lovely community!

Great advice re toilet training, we'll see how it goes, he is apparently quite clean in his kennel.

Yes I think the term 'failed' means he wasn't up to a very high standard. The owner said that he only keeps the very best of the best so I'm sure he'll absolutely still have a very high prey drive. It will certainly be a journey!

Names wise he does currently have a name but apparently its ok to change it, unsure how I feel about that but I quite like something a bit unusual, maybe Soren. Sounds to me like a Scottish name but actually scandi. I'm just gonna see what feels right when he comes home.

Will update again soon, thanks again all! xx

[AndyB]

The toilet training will come.  It is a matter of observation.  Obviously as soon as you get up take him right outside.  After meals and regularly throughout the day to give him the opportunity. If he has had a snooze during the day, when he wakes take him outside and obviously last thing at night before you both go to bed.   You may get a few disturbed nights as he will be used to "going" whenever the need arises.  A dog's natural instinct is not to soil their bedding.  Delighted you are having a new friend.  What is his name, you didn't tell us.  We must have a photo please.  Look forward to hearing about his adventures.  Perfect time, just before lockdown ends and ready for Christmas when you will have more time to be with him, walk him and train him.

As regards beds, I have the Joules Floral Restwell bed for Maisie in the lounge.  It is extremely comfy for a tired pooch and the cover comes off very easily, it zips down the whole length so no struggling to get the inner part back inside the cover.  Mine has been washed numerous times now, Maisie inherited this bed from my previous cocker, Jazz.  Unfortunately having just looked on the Joules website there is no discount for Black Friday on this bed and they only seem to do one fabric pattern now. Mine is grey with a doggy breed pattern.  I had the medium size, plenty of stretching room.   Vet bed for the crate initially.  It washes well and dries quickly, a great boon in winter.  Good luck and PLEASE keep us posted. 

[MIN]

Just remember on the name choice, you will be yelling it at the top of your voice for years 

[ejp]

Just remember on the name choice, you will be yelling it at the top of your voice for years 

So true   
On the subject of beds, I bought Daisy a Tuffies bed a few years ago.  OH was a bit shocked  they are not cheap, but my goodness they are well made and madam loves it, sometimes think I will need a shoehorn to prise her out of it    If he has a liking for mud, these wash easily, I just take a hose and a bucket of soapy water for the really grotty bits.  It still looks as good as it did on day one.  Definitely an investment though, you might need to get him a paper round so he can pay for it 

[ips]

Just remember on the name choice, you will be yelling it at the top of your voice for years 

Lol 🤣

Most if not every cocker I see on a shoot seem to be called "get ere ya little *****"

[fionamarymac]

Hello all,

So he’s home and I must say I’m knackered! I’ve called him Oran (Gaelic for song). He’s very smelly due to kettle living but I thought best to attempt A wash tomorrow as he’s very excited. But yes we both stink and I have been peed on. Had quite a few accidents in the house but managed to catch a few. I take him outside straight away even if he does have an accident and then praise when he does make it outside.

We’ve been on two walks, he’s been great a little nervous walks behind me on the lead (unexpected!) and met a few big  dogs and seemed happy and confident.

I’ve been training sit..which he got in 2 seconds. He’s very keen on jumping up and on everything so that needs to be the next thing. One thing I did not expect was the humping...he didn’t do it at first but then began quite intently on it. When he does it I get up and walk away...not making a fuss but it means I can’t actually spend anytime sitting down! Any tips on this? Hopefully overexcited and a phase.

He hasn’t settled unless totally asleep and then he’s 0 to 100 the second he wakes up. Hopefully he’ll be ok tonight...really I just need a shower! 😅😅

Any tips on the humping would be much appreciated! X

[AndyB]

Great news that he's home.  Sorry no experience on the humping.  I imagine some of the peeing might be excitement and the new environment.  Fingers crossed on that one.  Hope you will get some sleep tonight.  Look forward to hearing more news on Oran in the coming days.   

[ips]

I am sure he will settle in given time. Our now 6yr old bitch occasionally humps my wife's leg (never mine for some reason) seems to only be when she is tired.... probably no help to you but there you go 🙄

[ejp]

Excitement wees, and lots of nervous energy, it has been a big day for him.  It will take a bit for him to relax.  I think if he has always been used to going out with other dogs then he is probably not that confident on his own with a new person, hence walking behind you.  A lot of this is just time and you both getting to know each other.  Humping can be caused by excitement too, Daisy sometimes does it still and she is a middle aged girlie now.  I can sympathise with the kennel smell, Daisy had been in rescue kennels and was very fragrant, couldn't wait to get her bathed, but held of for a day or two. Not something to worry about just now, but what is he fed on, some foods can make them more hyper than other.  Most importantly, welcome to your new life Oran.

[fionamarymac]

Hi again all,

Thanks again for your replies and advice. My little nightly update - I’ve been very proud of him today. He’s only had one accident inside. He slept till 8am in his crate, it’s at the end of my bed for now, he went in tonight no problems...no crying or barking, there was a little last night. The boy is a quick learner!

He met my nephew and was bettered behaved than him! He’s lovely to everyone. During the day he absolutely had hyper moments and I need to work on stopping him jumping on every surface and of course the humping. But he settled and napped throughout the day. I am so tired tho! Hopefully we’ll keep settling in well. So far he’s a very good dog.

He’s fed on raw mince meat and a raw egg and then dry food in the evening that I was given from the kennels. I hadn’t expected the mince and egg combo! He is actually quite thin, can feel his rips. He’s been getting a lot of treats tho.....he absolutely loves them!

I showered him and he still smells but what can you do eh 🤷🏼‍♀️. I’ll just trying to clean him till one day he smells better.

Night all, thanks again for the input xx

[AndyB]

   Well that all sounds pretty good for day two.  The fact that he slept until 8.00 am is Amazing.  Note the time, my girl woke me at 5.00 am this morning.  It's all a matter of time, give him a couple of weeks and you will feel like he has been with you forever.  Others will advise more on the food aspect.  I feed Maisie on Lilly's Kitchen with about a quarter of supermarket cooked beef mince, which she loves.  Lilly's Kitchen is quite expensive, but there have been some great offers during Covid, 20% off several times.   It sounds as thought you pair will be bonded very very soon.  Lovely to hear your update. 

[AndyB]

Just a little post script to my earlier post, regarding Oran being so slim.  My late husband used to say that Jazz, my beloved boy who I lost in 2019, was like a cigar on long legs.  A perfect description really, and he remained like that until he was at least two years old.  So, don't worry, his energy levels will keep him slim and you are supposed to be able to feel their ribs, not see them obviously, and the dog should have a visible waist.  Good Luck. 

[ejp]

Well that is a great start, fantastic.  He is still just a baby, so to have coped so well with such a big change is fantastic.  As or skinny, yes, he will be a bit of a whippet at this age, they do tend to be lean, more so than the show cocker.  As for food, I feed Daisy RAW, it really suits her, tried a few other options with her and she has settled on Honey's Real Dog Food.  I bought a small chest freezer so I can order a few months worth at a time.  Lots of options out there, and when you both get settled, you will probably want to have a rethink.  For now, fantastic news, and a few baths/showers will soon have the kennel smell away.

[bizzylizzy]

So pleased to hear Oran (LOVE the name by the way)‘s doing so well, he sounds brilliant! I wouldn‘t worry too much about him being a bit on the thinner side, better than being overweight and as long as he‘s healthy and full of beans then its obviously not a problem.
Another raw feeder here by the way - we started when Humph‘s was around 7 months and have never looked back.
Looking forward to some pictures at some point! 
 

[fionamarymac]

Morning all,

Thanks for advice re food. I'm just sticking with the current plan but when he's six months in two weeks will look into a different plan. He has a very long coat so I can't actually see the ribs, I can just feel them. Good to know that is normal.

He continues to be more and more of a delight. I'm actually dreading him changing when he hits the teenage phase, he has such a beautiful puppy like nature, excited but also quite gentle and really looks to me for reassurance when he's a bit worried. I would be happy if he never changed but of course he will.

Toilet training is still a bit hit and miss. Thank god I don't have carpets. I'm taking him on two maybe 20 mins walks at the moment, he just trots behind me, I wonder if he needs a bit more of a run?

He is very bad for jumping on every surface and trying to eat my food...I say no and push him off or down but wondering if anyone has any advice for the best strategy on that?

I'm trying to train him to his name at the moment, to be honest he's never that far away from me for it to work well! Oh another thing, I've only left him alone in his crate for 10 mins while popping to the shops and he cried the place down! My poor neighbours. He's fine if not in his crate and I'm in a different room. I do really need to get him used to spending a little amount of time on his own. Any tips? I'm wondering if it's the crate that he particularly hates, might experiment with popping out later without him in, I'd really love for him not to destroy my sofa though!

Thanks again all! xxx