Just picked a Golden Cocker Spaniel Puppy - advice appreciated

[lindseyp]

Don't want to highjack your thread max10 but could I just ask.......................... is there ever a time when a bitch or dog can be growly or apprehensive (don't want to use the words 'aggressive or nervous' because they speaks for themselves!) with humans around their young pups & it be acceptable?  I've no personal experience (Purdey was a lovely mum & would let anyone & all have her pupsin exchange for a custard cream no doubt  ) but just wondered. When watching animal programmes, quite often the parents are very protective of their young & I know I would be if anyone came near my girls in a way that I felt inappropriate.


But back to the original post ..... have to agree with everything already said & to be honest if you have doubts yourself, then something can't be right for you to feel that way....trust your instincts - if it doesn't feel right, then don't do it    You'll know instantly when you find the pup that is right for you 

[6thSense]

I don't have loads of experience about breeding, but I know that when Morgana had her pups she was a little concerned when  people came to see them, but she never showed any aggression and soon settled and let people handle them. On the other hand when I worked in rescue my Nimue was born there and her mum was very nervous and aggressive and actual only me and the assistant manager at the centre where able to get close to her and her puppies. In my eyes she should never have been bred from even though my Nim is a very loving girl and of course I love her to bits. She can be funny around strangers and there has been probs with all the litter unlike Morganas litter who are no problem. I think it is natural for them to be a little protective around there pups, but if there general temp is sound it will not become a problem. I do hope that makes sense. 

[Ninasmum]

In my limited experience, Jo Jo was an extremely proud mum & would love to show the puppies off to all visitors.   
Tbh everyone used to fall in love with her because she does have a lovely temperament. 

I have heard that the dam can be protective when feeding the pups, but once the puppies are being weaned at 3 weeks approx, this instinct starts to wane.  Personally i would walk away as temperament & health tests have to be priority.  The heartache & stress can be awful if you end up with an aggressive dog. 

[JaspersMum]

I can understand mum being a bit worried (rather than agressive) about people coming to see her pups but would it be normal for the father to be protective?  Then again, most of us probably didn't have a pup where mum and dad were in the same home so I guess we wouldn't of seen them in the position 

If you are worried about the fathers nature, IMHO, I don't think you are going to enjoy your pup in the same way.  I suspect every nuance of normal puppy behaviour is going to make you think there could be an issue brewing even if there is not, and there will be plenty who will add fuel to the fire when it's a gold cocker and tell you its "rage" even when that is very rare.  Each comment and incident will make you question whether you're doing the right thing having seen dad act this way.

If you're having second thoughts, walk away.  Gut feelings are often right.

[Sarah1985]

Id walk awa as well. I know someone who brought a pup from a house where there were 2 resident dogs. The femal had given birth to golden reteriver pups (pedigree) and it was the male collie that showed signs of agression. After the got the pup home the soon realised the collies aggression had impacted on the pups behaviour despite it not being related. It cost them hundreds in dog behaviourists and plenty of heart ache to get the dogs aggression to a managable level.

Those early weeks are vitally important in developing the dogs personality and its important the're in thr right enviroment during that time.

[Ninasmum]

If you are worried about the fathers nature, IMHO, I don't think you are going to enjoy your pup in the same way.  

I agree too.    Even though i consider myself to be an experienced dog owner i am quite worried of buying another puppy because it really seems to be a total minefield.    For example, after months of research & questioning it transpired that the grandsire of Jo Jo's 1st litter has behaviour problems  this only came to light after 2 pups from our litter of 9 (one is our Nina & luckily a close friend has the other) has behaviour probs & on delving deeper found this info.    I do feel absolutely sick that the owner of the sire is 'pimping' him out in full knowledge that his dad has these probs    This dog has sired countless litters....when i have asked it always seems to be 'oh he's had 6/7 litters already this year'    I despair.    I am being brutally frank here but this person is a member of the Cocker Spaniel Club with numerous years of breeding & showing.   

My personal hopes & dreams (originally) was to start my own lines with Nina but of course that is impossible to do now.    It is totally unfair to pass on nervous, grumpy behaviour to any other puppies. 

Sorry i am going slightly off topic here but just trying to show examples of how 'scary' it is trying to choose the right pup. Behavioural problems can skip a generation & most people don't have the benefit of knowing previous generations in the line. 

Naive of me, i know, but really wish that all breeders were totally honest & straightforward. 

[Little-Miss-Molly]

When we brought Molly she was 11 weeks old when we first saw her, we met both mum and dad and they were adorable. We also met Poppy's parents and Poppy was just 3 weeks old, Poppy's mum was so soft and affectionate and didn't mind us being there at all and they brought dad into the room for us to see, he came for a quick fuss but was more interested in trying to see the puppies so they took him out but mum was such a sweetie the whole time, I could fault our breeder on a few other things but thats another story, but the temperament of her dogs wouldn't be one of them.

[Max10]

WOW ok alot of strong opinions thanks to everyone, well i am now in a terrible situation i thought it was the way your rare your pup setting boundaries, training etc the pup i picked was so placid so i am hoping he got his mother's temperment, I have committed myself now so no going back..... he was just growly i suppose ...well wish me luck i have, as one person say not many get to see both parents etc the mother was gorgeous lovely temperment....i have had all sorts of breeds in past and I dont tolerate aggressive behaviour even as a pup so I do plan on training him and making sure i give him best possible start....i am from Ireland and there is no DNA testing here - now i could be wrong.... but the family love their dogs etc

thanks again for all your replies!! 

[ginnygirl]

Hi max, just read this so commenting after your last post. I wish you luck if you have made your final decision, if there is any doubt in your mind it isnt too late to think again, it would be heart breaking for you to have him with you and then realise he has some aggressive traits. If your heart is set on having this little boy then I look forward to pics of him on the site when he is home with you. 

[Max10]

thank you ginnygirl, i just couldnt go back on it now, the family that own the father love him to bits i did question saying he had a "strong personailty" and he was protective over everyone the mum came up soo soo friendly even around the pups, there was one puppy that was hyper so i thought no i will pick the quiet one and just loved to be held, quite alert too held himself well, the other was tugging and biting my husbands jeans etc

But i LOVE dogs and i do feel he is lucky as i will take so much care of him, im just soo excited as its been about 12 years since I have been in a situation to be able to have a dog again!

I will let you all know hopefully with all respect intended that you are wrong as im sure you all hope too 

[Holly2009]

there was one puppy that was hyper so i thought no i will pick the quiet one and just loved to be held, quite alert too held himself well, the other was tugging and biting my husbands jeans etc

The quiet one will turn into a hyper biting machine  
Good luck with your little one Im sure he/she is a little treasure!

[Max10]

there was one puppy that was hyper so i thought no i will pick the quiet one and just loved to be held, quite alert too held himself well, the other was tugging and biting my husbands jeans etc

The quiet one will turn into a hyper biting machine  
Good luck with your little one Im sure he/she is a little treasure!

Lovely thanks Holly2009 thanks for reassuring advice!

[*Theresa*]

A little off the original topic but we picked the quite laid back lad out of the bunch thinking we could build his confidence....Well erm lets just say we have no confidence issues now   I think the wee brat was just lulling us into a false sense of security before then deciding to reveal his true colours and be a bold little explorer who couldn't give a fig where we were  

Still I wouldn't have had hom any other way and he is a joy to own    

[Sarah1985]

Good luck. I picked the quiet one when i picked my last pup and shes stayed so calm and loving. Everyone keep remarking that shes so calm for a spaniel. Nippy, but that was easy sort out my just removing her from the game whenever she nipped.

Everyone has different critera when picking a dog. My first was from what most people consider to be a hobbie breeder but he was socialised to the home enviroment when we brought him home. He was very nearly house trained.  MY second dog was from a working farm and had never been in a house when i brought her home and shes not very confident around people as a result but shes from strong working lines. Lots of people would have negative opinions on each of my breeders but we couldnt be happier with our dogs.

My only piece of advise is that if you see any behavioural problems developing please call in a professional dog trainer. If you catch these problems early they are much easier to sort out/manage.

[black taz]

did the owner say he was aggresive, or was it just your observation?  I only ask because when Taz meets strangers he barks (but backs away at the same time).  other than that though he is the biggest, soppiest dog you could hope to meet (he even has to stop at the top of the A frame at agility for a cuddle off the trainer on the first run).  it usually takes him about 5 minutes to summon up the courage to go and say hello and then he is fantasic.

however, if you still have concerns, perhaps you could go back for a second visit and see how the dad is then.  if you go ahead, i would make sure you read up in advance on dealing with aggresion so that you can nip it in the bud as a puppy if he shows any signs.  If you were nervous of the dad, and the pup turns out to be like his dad, think how you will deal with it, because the pup will pick up on any nerves and take advantage.

Good luck whatever you decide.