The Zim Family Cocker Spaniel Forum

Hi Everyone,

I have a cocker spaniel puppy named Oakley. He is 12 weeks old. I have been home with him the last few days working on potty training and getting him used to my schedule of work, sleeping, play time etc. However, he seems to get bored with his toys? He did have a brother but I couldn't bring him home. I really wanted too, but one is enough for a first time owner. Between him and his brother they were always busy together playing. Any thoughts on toys that will keep him entertained. I have given him chewys, squeekies, tennis balls etc. etc. They are fun for a while but he seems to just want to follow me like a shadow and then cry and bark when I am away for a few minutes. Any thoughts?

Your puppy is adorable!!!

My Rocky was like that. He's 6 months old tomorrow. I have found with him that he is particularly fond of ducks and balls. Squeaky ducks or crinkly ducks. I get Plubber ducks from PetSmart that have squeakers in them but no stuffing (they bounce). I also found a duck at PetSart that's body was a fabric covered water bottle (velcro bottom) and its head was a tennis ball with a bell inside. It was stuffing free. It crinkled, jingled and was a duck. The other thing I've tried is the Plubber squirrel or the flat toys with no stuffing.

I used to also get the Chicken flavored brown nylabone puppy chew bones. He used to LOVE those. Frankly, he still loves them, but he doesn't get them anymore because he's to clever for his own good. They upset his tummy after a while because he used to only get them for 15 minutes at a time and then I would put them away. He became very good at getting out of my drawer where i kept them and he would sneak it and eat it and then he would vomit a little spit-up and keep on chewing it.

I'd get him a variety to encourage positive chewing and to figure out what he likes best. You may not have found his favorite yet. He is going to start really chewing soon and you want to make sure he chews correctly and not on your sneakers or slippers, etc. Alot of people on here use bullysticks, but I don't. No particular reason why I don't, except the concept of what they are makes my hubby cringe.

He's still a wittle baby and he likely misses his litter mates. It will take some time to adjust to his new environment. If its any consolation, cockers are velcro dogs and follow you everywhere. Mine still follows me to the restroom and if I'd let him would sit on my lap too. Everyone on here has such good advice. I'm sure they have some suggestions too.

On a side note, I did just download an app for my phone with duck calls and when Rocky and I go for walks, I sometimes use the app and he gets so excited to hear the ducks.

Congrats on Oakley, he is very very cute. We have another Oakley on the forum too! He wants to be with his mommy-this is normal puppy behavior. He misses his littermates. If you are a first time dog/cocker/puppy owner I encourage you to go to the Caring for your Cocker Section and read every thread that is stickied-food, IVDD, Vaccinations, AIHA, Cherry Eye, CPR. These have been put together by the experienced people on this forum, all of which are applicable to cockers-if you know about a problem ahead of time, if it ever comes up you will know what to do and how to handle it. This info could someday save your dogs life in an emergency.

I also like refering people to the 7 stages of puppy development-it helps you understand as the pup is growing.

http://www.the-puppy-dog-place.com/pupp ... pment.html

Looking forward to seeing many more pics of your cutie!

So is it best to buy a toy or two and see how he reacts to it? And can he ever have too many toys? I just wanna be the best dad for him. He is truly my sunshine. When should I start obedience classes with him?

-cjc

When I got Rocky I bought him almost one of everything to see what he liked. The way I figured it, he doesn't know what he likes, until he knows what he dislikes. I'd rather know he loves ducks and buy him ducks than have him get bored and eat my shoes.I 'm also a variety person too. I have a giant basket on the top of his crate filled with tons of stuff. Stuff he loves and stuff he hasn't played with in a while and stuff he isn't fond of. I don't throw out the stuff he has no interst in, only damaged toys, because I figured a puppy is like my kid....if I bring out a toy he hasn't played with in forever, he may develop a new like for it and it becomes Christmas all over again. Those toys that he LOVES and destroys often (e.g., any kind of duck toy) I make sure to keep in stock somewhere out of sight and smell, or on quick ship from Amazon. I dont' think you can have to many, but someone told me only to have a couple (e.g., not more than 2) out at any time this way they don't lose interest and, well...eat your shoe.

I learned (the hard way but very quickly) to stay away from stuffed toys (like Vicki said) and also those cheap plastic toys (e.g., plastic newspaper, plastic donut with sprinkles, etc) because their teeth are so razor sharp they can punture holes in it and then once there's a hole, the hole gets bigger and then I found plastic plastic remnants as presents in poop. I had to stay away from toys that dispensed food because he would eat the plastic in his excitement.

You're going to be a great dad. I know this because you are on the forum and asking questions and you care about your puppy.

As far as obedience, I am by far certainly no expert but there are a lot of great resources on here to better answer the question.

I've had personal issues with trainers in my area and have found the best luck with a Karen Pryor trainer who does positive training,recommended to me by this forum. I think my pup has come a long way using postive reinforcement (and chicken). I have been told that a puppy's window for socialization closes at 6 months, but its not impossible to socialize beyond that (think of all the rescue dogs out there that have been in shelters for a while). I would consult with your vet and then make your decision. You will want to make sure that your puppy has had its shots and is cleared to mingle with other pups and on foreign soil. Rocky had his last set of shots at 16 weeks and then was a "legal beagle" to mix with other pups, but plenty of places have puppy class where it is just puppies the same age with the same shots level.

You should enroll him in a class that you feel comfy with and when you feel comfy that he is protected with shots. Ask your vet for a couple of recommendations. There are a couple of good Karen Pryor books out there and you can check the karen Pryor trainers out online. I also encourage you to (and I wish I had done the same) to go and watch a class first with out your pup to see if you like their methods. I had to fetch my money back from 2 trainers who didn't offer this and if I knew then what I know now, wouldn't have taken their classes.

Lots of toys : )- Just because I like spoiling my cockers - LOL. Seriously tho - lots of variety - but don't put them ALL down at once - a couple one day, a couple different ones the next day ... he may have a "favorite of the week" that you notice, too.

Obedience - NOW! : )- Find a puppy socialization class - the companionship will help him miss his bro a bit less. And a puppy-specific class will take into account his lack of full vaccinations at this point. And while you are at it, sign him up for a Clicker Training (positive reinforcement) basic manners class that will start as close as possible to when he turns 4 months (or whenever YOUR local laws allow you to have the vet administer the rabies shot).

Photos !! and Welcome !!

I highly recommend bully sticks, especially for teething pups. Also, you may consider treat dispensing toys. They give the dog a challenge in order to get the treats out.

I totally believe in offering a variety of shapes, sizes and most especially textures in toys. I did this for my last 3 Cockers and never had a problem with them chewing my stuff! I've always kept all the toys available to them... never heard you shouldn't LOL. Do what is best for you. Don't forget to use things that are around the house for toys too. A plastic water bottle is great fun. I tend to try to expose my pup's to a new thing a day. My Chessie loved playing with bubbles... I used ones that are edible. You do need to remember that pup's don't always come KNOWING how to play so you may have to teach Oakley. The other thing... some dogs will not play with toys on their own... you may have to play with Oakley to keep him interested in his toys. One of Chessie's first favorite toy was a small plastic Frisbee. She would pick it up and run around the yard with it... only problem was it would flip up and cover her eye's! For some good fun ... buy a ball that is bigger than Oakley. A child's play ball works well for this... then let him have fun with it. I bought a cat toy that mimicked a tunnel since I knew Chess was going to do agility. It was summer when we got her so she had a small kiddie pool to wade in on hot days. Since we have a ton of kids on our street I got her used to moving things early... I'd have my son walk past her, run past her and ride his bike past her so that she would learn not to chase after those things and she would not be afraid of them. There are so many things you can do with your puppy... it is only limited by your imagination. I learned to look at everything from the aspect of how I could use that for fun or what I could teach my dog to do with it. I'd raid my son's toy box in search of new things.. hoola hoops, remote control cars, even his skateboard!
Chessie is almost two years old and I'm still teaching her new tricks... her latest is how to close doors for me.

I agree that now is the time to look into a puppy class. But you don't have to wait for a formal class ... start now teaching the basics. Always keep in mind .. what's cute in a puppy isn't always cute in an adult dog. Good luck and enjoy that puppy!