togger Posted September 14, 2011 Report Share Posted September 14, 2011 I've been trying to talk the wife into agreeing to another dog in the house. She has two ****zu a dog and a bitch that we rescued a few years ago. Lovely little dogs, but not ones to be seen in the field with! I quite fancied a Springer but she preferred a Cocker because of the size although she did insist that I would have to wait until one of the other dogs goes where old dogs go! Anyway this afternoon I got numerous text messages from my daughter, who is a bit of a dog buff, and her boyfriend who owns a couple of Springers saying they knew of someone who had some Sprocker pups for sale. Mother is a Cocker, Father a Springer and both working dogs. I got home tonight to a suprise belated wedding anniversary present... you guessed it a 9 week old Sprocker dog. He's already been docked and vaccinations started. Absolutely gorgeous little fella. He's asleep underneath my feet at the moment. Hasn't left my side all evening. Can't wait to get him started with training but i appreciate we've got to let him be a puppy first. I've had him in the garden for 20 minutes after his tea and he walks at the side and every time I stop he sits looking up. COuldn't beleive it. Looks like he's going to be a good little dog. Stoked. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Good shot? Posted September 14, 2011 Report Share Posted September 14, 2011 pics please... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
togger Posted September 14, 2011 Author Report Share Posted September 14, 2011 (edited) Not brilliant cos it's off the phone, but just a taster, i'll post some more in the next day or two. Edited September 14, 2011 by togger Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rushjob Posted September 15, 2011 Report Share Posted September 15, 2011 He looks great! The fun starts for you now, I've been up since 5.30 watching my 5 month old psycho treating the garden as her own race circuit as a warm up for her morning walk! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tigger Posted September 15, 2011 Report Share Posted September 15, 2011 He's a cracker buddy lovely looking dog have fun with him make sure we see some more pics of him running about in the garden never have to many pictures lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
togger Posted September 15, 2011 Author Report Share Posted September 15, 2011 I slept on the floor downstairs in the sleeping bag last night with him to get house training sorted, not a whimper till 4 this morning. Went out, did his stuff then slept till 6ish. Just a very slight dribble this morning, put him outside and he carried on. Will do same again for next few nights and hopefully will sort it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garyb Posted September 15, 2011 Report Share Posted September 15, 2011 I slept on the floor downstairs in the sleeping bag last night with him to get house training sorted, not a whimper till 4 this morning. Wrong thing to do IMHO, unless you want to sleep on the floor for the next 12 years. Get him in the routine now, else you'll only end up with a whimpering wreck - and no ones likes a gundog with separation anxiety. Have you considered crate training? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al4x Posted September 15, 2011 Report Share Posted September 15, 2011 oh dear thats how to make a rod for your back, get it in a crate and used to sleeping downstairs or quite simply it will whine whenever left. The conditioning you do now affects how it grows up and learns to behave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rimfire4969 Posted September 15, 2011 Report Share Posted September 15, 2011 I slept on the floor downstairs in the sleeping bag last night with him to get house training sorted, not a whimper till 4 this morning. Went out, did his stuff then slept till 6ish. Just a very slight dribble this morning, put him outside and he carried on. Will do same again for next few nights and hopefully will sort it. You or the puppy. Get yourself off to a proper bed, it may be the best dog in the world but it is a dog, pop it in a crate or a small room with news paper and no carpet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garyb Posted September 15, 2011 Report Share Posted September 15, 2011 If you already have other dogs in the family for comfort.. you are half way there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tigger Posted September 15, 2011 Report Share Posted September 15, 2011 I agree with the others you will regret that behaviour within a week, he will expect you to be there with him at night and will not stop making noise until you are then you will not be very popular with her in doors and could lead to problems later on its nice to see that you would sleep downstairs and well done but its not good for either of you :good: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Good shot? Posted September 15, 2011 Report Share Posted September 15, 2011 He is a cracker, keep the pics coming.Everyone likes to see a new pup. By the way I would have thought it better to get the pup used to and confident enough to sleep alone at night than worry about accidents in the night.Rod for your own back etc etc. Just a thought and good luck.. . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
togger Posted September 15, 2011 Author Report Share Posted September 15, 2011 Thanks for the advice folks, I picked up a crate today and spent a while as in one of the stickie threads about getting him used to it. He goes in no problem, although he doesn't like the door closed. I couldn't leave him with the other two dogs last night as they are naturally just sticking together at the moment giving him the cold shoulder, they are both old and a bit cantankerous. A friend of mine who breeds German Shepherds mentioned the staying with them for a few nights as he's always done it, but i'm prepared to listen to other advice. I'll put him in the cage tonight and see how we go.My only concern is if he starts whining and barking the other two will start then the whole street will be up. Do you advise I put him in a separate room to the other two until he's used to being left on his own in the cage? On a good note. I had a couple of ten minute sessions with him today throwing a small stick. He was so eager to go after it, he picked it up and brought it straight back first time. I started to hold him back after throwing it and waiting a few seconds then gave him some encouragement to fetch and bring it back. I increased the distance i was throwing it to around 10-12 feet and he did it everytime, and even refrained on his own from wanting to go at the throw. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tigger Posted September 15, 2011 Report Share Posted September 15, 2011 Thanks for the advice folks, I picked up a crate today and spent a while as in one of the stickie threads about getting him used to it. He goes in no problem, although he doesn't like the door closed. I couldn't leave him with the other two dogs last night as they are naturally just sticking together at the moment giving him the cold shoulder, they are both old and a bit cantankerous. A friend of mine who breeds German Shepherds mentioned the staying with them for a few nights as he's always done it, but i'm prepared to listen to other advice. I'll put him in the cage tonight and see how we go.My only concern is if he starts whining and barking the other two will start then the whole street will be up. Do you advise I put him in a separate room to the other two until he's used to being left on his own in the cage? On a good note. I had a couple of ten minute sessions with him today throwing a small stick. He was so eager to go after it, he picked it up and brought it straight back first time. I started to hold him back after throwing it and waiting a few seconds then gave him some encouragement to fetch and bring it back. I increased the distance i was throwing it to around 10-12 feet and he did it everytime, and even refrained on his own from wanting to go at the throw. Try him with the others tonight and see how he goes buddy, also I would advise against throwing sticks for him can cause some problems try a rolled up sock or a knotted handkerchief and the like buddy good luck :good: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WGD Posted September 15, 2011 Report Share Posted September 15, 2011 Try him in a crate in a room with the others tonight and see how he goes buddy, also I would advise against throwing sticks for him can cause some problems try a rolled up sock or a knotted handkerchief and the like buddy good luck :good: And don't be holding him back just now, let him run in and have fun, steadiness can come later. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
togger Posted September 16, 2011 Author Report Share Posted September 16, 2011 Well first night in the crate. 5-10 min of barking and whining when I left him then he settled down. I left him in the back office on his own so the noise is kept to a minimum upstairs. Came down at 6 this morning, no mess at all, no barking or whining to come out when he saw me. Really pleased. Thanks again for the advice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tigger Posted September 16, 2011 Report Share Posted September 16, 2011 Well first night in the crate. 5-10 min of barking and whining when I left him then he settled down. I left him in the back office on his own so the noise is kept to a minimum upstairs. Came down at 6 this morning, no mess at all, no barking or whining to come out when he saw me. Really pleased. Thanks again for the advice. :good: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
togger Posted September 18, 2011 Author Report Share Posted September 18, 2011 Here's a few pics taken this morning playing at his retrieve. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tigger Posted September 18, 2011 Report Share Posted September 18, 2011 Here's a few pics taken this morning playing at his retrieve. Some nice pics there buddy he is certainly a cracker lovely markings,how is the sleeping arangements going? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
togger Posted September 18, 2011 Author Report Share Posted September 18, 2011 He's in the crate at night in a room on his own. I've found a soundtrack online that has a heartbeat as the background with some faint music playing. It's what's used in some kennels and has a calming influence on the dog. `i start the music playing on a loop on the computer. He cries for about two minutes when I lock the cage door and walk out. And then settles down. He's starting to remain calm now when I come back in. At first he was going mad to get out as soon as he saw me come in but is learning that I will eventually open the door and let him out. He's keeping it clean which is good. As soon as he comes out it's outside and he wee's straight away. We've had only two small puddles in the house and that's probably been our fault getting him a bit excited inside. Just a question, he likes to play tug of war with a rope toy. I've only done it for a minute or so and made sure I always win!! Will this cause any long term issues with him releasing game? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tigger Posted September 18, 2011 Report Share Posted September 18, 2011 (edited) He's in the crate at night in a room on his own. I've found a soundtrack online that has a heartbeat as the background with some faint music playing. It's what's used in some kennels and has a calming influence on the dog. `i start the music playing on a loop on the computer. He cries for about two minutes when I lock the cage door and walk out. And then settles down. He's starting to remain calm now when I come back in. At first he was going mad to get out as soon as he saw me come in but is learning that I will eventually open the door and let him out. He's keeping it clean which is good. As soon as he comes out it's outside and he wee's straight away. We've had only two small puddles in the house and that's probably been our fault getting him a bit excited inside. Just a question, he likes to play tug of war with a rope toy. I've only done it for a minute or so and made sure I always win!! Will this cause any long term issues with him releasing game? Your doing really good buddy :good: Regarding tugging I would say its a big no no buddy he will remeber that through puppyhood and could cause problems as he gets older the last thing you want is for him to start tugging at birds etc Just let him retrieve it dont be in any hurry to take it off him, just him retrieving is good tbh throw it a few time let him run back towards you and let him give it to you in his own time, the last thing you want to do is try and grab it straight off of him or he will have in the back of his mind if i run towards him the first thing he is gonna do is take it off me so ill either run the other way or i wont let go and again can cause problems in the future. Do it little and often 3 throws is plenty you dont want him getting bored as he will have a very short attention span at that age Alot of the problems i have seen with gundogs in houses is when they are puppies they will grab something and carry it about someone not usually the trainer will tell him/her off for pinching something and then the pup has in the back of there mind if i go and pick something up im going to get told off for it so im not gonna bother no more and can cause huge problems in the future thats for sure so make sure the people in your house never tell the pup off for carrying something around Edited September 18, 2011 by tigger Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Good shot? Posted September 18, 2011 Report Share Posted September 18, 2011 Here's a few pics taken this morning playing at his retrieve. He really is a beauty... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WelshLamb Posted September 18, 2011 Report Share Posted September 18, 2011 He's beautiful!! I soooooo want a gun dog :( stupid job means I cant have one! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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