Toohey

Unless you block access to things you don't want chewed, there is probably little you can do about it for now. The pup will eventually settle and grow out of it, but for now make sure there is plenty of dog type chewable things in the yard to keep the pup busy. Pay a visit to your local pet supplies store and look for things like kongs and treat balls that you can stuff with goodies, and big rawhide chewy rolls are great. Build a sandpit and bury treats in it, always good fun and teaches them to dig in the right spot instead of the wrong spot. Big marrow bones are great. Get the butcher to cut them in half so the pup can get at the good stuff inside, but keeep an eye out with big bones lying around the yard, as depending on the time of year, they can attract bees which the pup may snap at and cause a sting in the mouth. They can cause swelling and block airways. Make sure the pup has a comfortable bed with plenty of shade and access to fresh water. BTW I had a pup that used to alternate between digging a golf course and chewing on the house itself. I gave up trying to maintain a decent garden. He lost interest around 12 months.

Hi Pete, if you use the forum search button you will find heaps of information on this topic. It is frequently discussed. Basically, it is about the pup/dog having their own place to sleep, eat, keep them out of mischief when you can't supervise them, and keep them from being annoyed or annoying other dogs. It also helps with toilet training because the dogs don't tend to use their crate/den as a toilet. They queickly learn that the crate is their safe place and not only that, but the crate can be used in so many situations ie. keep puppy safe from over enthusiastic children, allows them undisturbed sleep, great for vet visits if your pup is used to being confined in a crate, and one I discovered as an added bonus.. family BBQ's where dogs are locked in the crate and can observe what is going on without being able to help themselves to unattended plates Make sure you buy the correct size crate for your dog, not too big that they might use one end for toileting, and big wnough so they can stand and turn around comfortably. You can make the crate a lovely retreat by putting their bed, a hanging water dish and toys, chewy things/bones in there for them. Ebay sells them for reasonable prices, I think Puppypower is the name of one of the sellers.

Hi Mil and welcome to the forum. Congrats on finding your new baby. You might find that most of your questions are better answered by the breeder, because a lot will depend on where and how the pups are managed in her home. I am guessing if she has a few dogs and pups, she might not have the time to put into starting your little one off with his toilet training. Again, something you'll need to discuss with this particular breeder, but you will probably find that having an older pup ie. 16 weeks, will not be an issue as far as training goes. The most important thing will be socialisation at that stage (along with toilet training), and that is something the breeder probably won't be able to do for you. In my opinion, yes, but it's really not that big a deal as it's only a few weeks difference .... best to wait till you are ready and able to cope with the HUGE life changes that are coming your way Nah, probably not. Home is where the hoomans are!

What bits do you want to use them on? I bought some lovely 5 1/2 inch hairdressing scissors on Ebay for $40. Beautiful quality and I love using them. Great for feet. think it was this seller I do have the 7 1/2 inch shear magic but don't use them much as they are bit big and chunky and not as good for detailed work.

I suspect the OP was interested in finding out whether or not it is true or not, and NOT whether or not it matters. With my dogs, the coats bulked up a few months after they were desexed, i believe the age they are desexed was irrelevant.

Thank you Steve ;)

Except this is not about opinions. I am sharing knowledge that comes from my experience with my chosen breed. And I am not just talking about the dogs in my own yard. That's what this board SHOULD be about. Sharing knowledge. NOT sledging others because you think you know better than them, or because you don't agree with their "opinion".

I'm really really sorry to read this SB. Such a young lively life no doubt as well My 14 year old cat, Toohey, was put to sleep a few months ago for the same reason. It came out of nowhere and so quickly. I noticed her food mostly was going all over the floor instead of into her mouth and we found an angry red growth was adhering her tongue to the base of her mouth. We tried her with steroids for a few days but no effect, and the alternative of radical mouth surgery and radiotherapy was not an option at her age. I had her put to sleep a few days later when she could not eat or drink at all. So sad to keep them going when they are miserable and we are so lucky to have the option of euthanasia with our pets. Thinking of you and the pup's family.

A couple of threads here from a cocker forum discuss the changes in cocker coats after desexing. http://www.cockersonline.co.uk/discuss/ind...hp?topic=9555.0 http://www.cockersonline.co.uk/discuss/index.php?topic=174.0

No, I am not single minded, and I would not make blanket statements like the one you made here. I only speak of the breed I have experience with. which IS in fact a load of crap.I notice you have not commented on the pics I have posted of my MALE desexed dog. Do you think not having seasons is the reason he has so much coat? What do you think of the difference in his coat after desexing? It is interesting to note you have not mentioned any coated breeds in your repertoire there, so no, I don't think you have the experience or knowledge to make such blanket statements.

Have changed computers recently and seem to have lost a lot of photos Here's the best I can find at the moment... five months old and here he is about 2-3, but this pic was taken not long after the coat king came about and I have tried to strip his coat wihtout very good results. I have since gone back to clipping him. It gives an idea of the texture change though. edit to say, this boy's coat changed to this by the time he was 9 months old.

Of my two desexed cockers, my boy was desexed at 6 months. His coat was lovely and flat prior, but within a couple of months it turned to complete wool. Will try to show some before and after pics. It is quite dramatic. It is common for this to happen with cockers. He has also grown to about an inch above standard. Not that that is a problem, and it is something I have seen with entire dogs and bitches as well... growing too tall. My girl was desexed at four... her coat used to be lovely and flat, but several months after speying it is now wayward, thick, and wooly like my boy's. Not a load of crap at all. Please don't make statements like this, unless you have the knowledge and experience to back them up.

Sam is a bit old for a crate I think. 3 months old according to your sig? Not too old at all.

Do a search for crate training. Crates are the answer to practically every puppy issue there is

Hi again Sophy, when I got my gold cocker pup he was my first ever dog, and I found the whole experience way more challenging than I could have imagined. I had the support of a wonderful breeder who I was able to contact at anytime with questions, and if I had not had that, I think I may have had many problems. I also took him to a private trainer for the first few months and together we laid the basis of a wonderful freindship. The main things I learn about my new pup were that I had to earn his respect, and firmly and consistently let him know who was in charge. I did that by way of basic obedience training, through which we learnt how to understand and communicate with each other, and with my breeder's advice I learnt to be firm and consistent and not take any crap from him. I used to worry that I if I got cross with him over something that he would not like me anymore Silly me. You have to set boundaries, you have to be consistent, and you have to constantly remind him that you are the boss and he will soon learn and accept that. I would encourage you to seek out your breeder again and ask for their advice. Breeders are there for their dogs and their new owners long after they have gone to their new homes. They know the breed, they know the issues you are likely to come up against, and they can tell you how to manage these issues. I would also encourage you to seek some professional assistance before the behaviours you are concerned about become worse. Please let us know how you get on.

This pup does NOT have cocker rage! He is merely doing his job, that is, protecting what he considers himself to be in charge of. He is just taking it a little further than needed is my guess He needs a firm hand and he needs to be told that his behaviour is not acceptable. A little ignoring and a decently growled NO probably would not go astray. He looks a beautifully bred chap. Have you spoken to his breeder about his behaviour? I wish my cocker would guard my towel and belongings at the beach. Mine would be swimming out to sea chasing seagulls in that situation ;) One of his self appointed jobs is to keep our local parklands free from those pesky swallows that circle around. He stations himself in swallow territory and will sit there, alert as you would not believe, and just waits. His current wait is about three months as there haven't been any turn up, but he still goes straight to his spot and waits, on full alert. Good luck with your boy. Have a read of the other thread here about the over protective cocker, there is some advice there that may help.

Hi Raylee, You need to find a proffessional dog trainer who can give you some one on one instructions on how to manage this boy. It's very easy to spoil our cockers rotten and show them constantly how much we love them, but I'll always remember driving away from my breeder's house cuddling my new puppy... her last words were "BE FIRM"! Never a better few words of advice has she given me! I found it hard, but did spoil him to a certain degree. He WAS obedience trained though, and that gave me the ability to earn his respect, communicate with him, and have him obey commands. You need to change things in your house, the dog needs to learn he is NOT in charge. Find yourself a private trainer please and soon. When he behaves aggressively in the meantime, I would be ignoring him. Don't go near him, just everyone in that room get up and leave. Deprive him of attention. Do not let him sleep on ANYONE'S bed. A crate would be a good idea to stop him sneaking up, but definitely a bed on floor level. He has an overinflated sense of importance, and that has to change before your dog takes over the household. Professional training is needed for this boy as soon as possible. Cockers are very intelligent, but also very compliant and willing to please their owners. You can change this behaviour, but you need to learn how to manage it and then you must be consistent and firm with him when new rules are in place. Good luck with him.

I have an Oldfield which has changed my life. Having three cockers to dry off every day (their choice to get wet, not mine) it has made grooming time so much easier and faster. The force of the air is such that it blows all the dead fur, leaves, grass seeds, debris etc out of their coats, and lets you see the dog's skin, as well as any knots, as you dry them off. The dogs enjoy it also (once they get used to the noise) as it like having a massage.

I don't know whats happening with PMs I think I just sent you one with my email address. Must be the new board. Let me know if you don't get it.

Pm me your address. I don't want money for it as I don't know what it would be worth. Have had it a few years. It hasn't had a lot of use as I show clip my boy and do the same mostly for my adult girl, specially as she is desexed now. Don't think it's rusty, certainly haven't left it out in the rain. Just saw your edit. Don't worry, you were the only case! Thought I would be swamped! Has anyone needed to have theirs sharpened out of curiosity? How do you maintain them?

I was thinking I probably won't need my 20 blade anymore. Give me a couple of weeks to make sure I don't need it, and I'll give it away to whomever pleads the neediest case ;) I'll just check with some other breeders if the 26 will do us when she has her adult coat, or if I will still need the 20.

I don't know how a Springer's coat compares to a Cockers. Can't really answer that. Being a bigger dog the 20 is probably fine for you. I have seen pics of them and am buggered if I know how they work. Do you know? Have a look at the Furminator link. Thats what the coat king does but not quite as aggressively.

There is also The Furminator which I have not tried, but looks pretty good on the video.

I'm not sure about stripping closer tot he skin.

Silverblue, have you tried a 26 blade on the cockers? Finer, narrower, and ten times more effective. You won't believe the difference.