 Barked: Mon Dec 29, '08 1:51pm PST |
 | |  | | A few questions I was wondering if site users might be able to answer:
1. My job requires that I am out of the house from 07:30 to 17:30. I was planning on scheduling 2-3 weeks off when I first get the puppy to give him my absolute attention and then the following 2-3 weeks have a family member come to check on him at lunch time. When I was younger I recall leaving Hunter in a 2x5x3 kennel when I was at school and coming home to him barking/howling out of loneliness. When the dog is older is 10 hours too long to leave him by himself?
ANSWER: ten hours is a long time but if you take steps to keep your dog from developing separation anxiety and give him some good interactive toys ,he should be ok. I WOUD get a dog walker or someone to come once during the day .Please don't crate him that long.That's no life. (No objection to crating or using an ex-pen or baby-gating him into an area while he is being house-broken and crating is o/w fine,just don't put him in "jail".
You might want to consider a rescue dog that is already houesbroken and used to being alone..or perhaps get a cat or another compatible dog to keep him company. Also doggy day care even a couple of times a week can break the monotony.
English cockers are not loners,They love to be with their people.
If you get a puppy, he/she will need a lot more of your time to get adequately socialized and trained.
2. I was never the one to groom Hunter when I was younger and while I am tidy my housekeeper is the one to thank for my place actually being clean. Is bathing/brushing once every two weeks adequate? Is shedding a significant issue with English cocker spaniels?
ANSWER: Engies do shed and mat if not kept groomed..you can keep your "Engie" shaved down if you wish and then just keep up on ear care and keep feet well trimmed. You can use a "snood" to cover his ears when he eats and also use a spaniel bowl which is tapered so ears fall outside . Some dogs have easier care coats than others. Red English cockers and "field-bred" English cockers usually have less coat. Blacks have the most coat. Bathing need only be done when the dog is dirty and there are shampoos that don't require water and other wipes for touch-ups. You will also have to keep nails trimmed and need to get them used to that early.
3. Would a 20 minute walk in the morning, an hour in the evening and then weekends together be adequate exercise? Hunter was extremely docile and never became really worked up unless someone got him excited. Is this reasonable behaviour to expect?
ANSWER: That should be enough but all dogs are different (the longer walk might be better itn he morning so he'll sleep more,but..some dogs may require more exercise. Don't forget that mental exercise is as effective as physical ito preventing boredom. A puppy will not be able to go that long between walks however. Again,consider a dog that's 2 or older.
Altho GRACE is the dog on my profile, I am the chairperson for the English Cocker Spaniel Club of America rescue program. If you have any further questions,you may email me at ecresqr at comcast.net
Also see our webpage at www.ecsca.org/rescuehome.html
We have many wonderful dogs in rescue and also can refer you to good breeders,some of who have older dogs that need homes as well.
GOOD LUCK!Edited by author Mon Dec 29, '08 1:52pm PST
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