dannyboy Posted November 9, 2015 Report Share Posted November 9, 2015 (edited) Hi All, hoping for a bit of advice. Picked up my working cocker last Thursday (9 weeks old now), everything going well so far, only up once in the night and near enough toilet trained. I am following Simon Tylers dvd, which is excellent by the way. He says don't give them any toys as you want to him to bring back anything I throw for him. If there is toys lying around the house then they can pick and choose and might just leave a ball or dummy during training. This makes perfect sense to me. However, just wondering what to give him during the day so he doesn't get bored and chew everything, I work from home so I am always around but don't have time to sit there a play with him all day. I am giving him little chew sticks at the moment. Any tips on this one? it would be appreciated ! Thanks! (picture at 6 weeks attached) Edited November 9, 2015 by dannyboy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loriusgarrulus Posted November 9, 2015 Report Share Posted November 9, 2015 (edited) I use the puppy nylabones. Last quite a while and a bit softer than the full size ones. Not found it a problem letting them have an odd toy as long as it is totally different to the things you use for training. Definitely no furry or squeaky toys though.Just pick up the toy and put away before you do any training and don't let him have the dummy/ball other than when you are working with him. Lovely looking pup. Edited November 9, 2015 by loriusgarrulus Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stavvy Posted November 9, 2015 Report Share Posted November 9, 2015 Agree with the above but there is a school of thought that he only gets his toys when your out. If the toys are on the floor all day he will get used to them and they won't interest him when he is alone and that's when your shoes get nailed. All of my dogs have had toys and work to a high standard although we only pick up. Depends on wether you want a champion field trailer or a companion who is half about in the field I guess. I wanted the latter and got just that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old farrier Posted November 9, 2015 Report Share Posted November 9, 2015 (edited) Hi nice pup It's a pup it needs something just keep the dummy and ball as yours as a treat for it All mine have had something they found they considersd special each time I noticed that special thing ( one was a fur hat another a plastic Xmas pud another a cuddly rabbit toy ) I used there favourites in the training program All worked ok not a (field trailer ) and we're happy So Please remember it's a pup there all different and don't stick to rigidly to the DVD As I'm sure he never put the ones he discounts on trainable ability on it .....he sold them 😋 On the plus I won't get the grandkids any toys for Xmas It'll make them more attentive 😗 Just my thoughts All the best Of Should have mentioned I've never bought a toy or a ball for my dogs they've either found them on walks or nicked them on the rounds 😋😊😋 Bit embarrassing sometimes Edited November 9, 2015 by Old farrier Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dannyboy Posted November 9, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 9, 2015 Ok thanks for the responses! Maybe a bit rope or something will keep him busy, or the nylabone as mentioned above. I'm not looking for a field trial champion, just a good shooting companion Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Konnie Posted November 9, 2015 Report Share Posted November 9, 2015 I use cardboard rolls, toilet paper, cling film, etc , they keep them occupied and are safe if destroyed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marki Posted November 9, 2015 Report Share Posted November 9, 2015 It may be a bit tough for now but mine have bits of antler that they seem to spend hours working on. I put the antler away when I want and they are always keen when I get them back out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stonepark Posted November 9, 2015 Report Share Posted November 9, 2015 (edited) Small 4inch (and when larger, bigger ones) hide pressed bones, will help with teething and keep him engaged, just don't treat them as toys (i.e. no throwing and fetching), I keep one per room when young, so always one in sight if pup chooses to chew something, it is usually the bone but as pup gets older, just keep 1 medium large bone for them. I have always adlib fed my dogs, (i.e. bowl always has dry food in it) and they eat when hungry and avoids bolting food as they always know they can get it ( CSJ Command Premium 21% Salmon). Dogs end up following their own routine for food (mine eats about 1/3 meal in morning and 2/3 at night) when not shooting but when shooting, they eat in morning and then they eat when they get back in before going to sleep for a few hours and normally have 2nd meal before bed. Dogs have always been spot on for being very fit with solid muscle, with at most 1lb of fat through summer which disappears after a day or twos shooting/beating. Edited November 9, 2015 by Stonepark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loriusgarrulus Posted November 10, 2015 Report Share Posted November 10, 2015 We ad-lib feed ours too. It works very well. The hide bones are great, just don't get the ones with knots on each end as if the dog eats the middle out you have the knots as a choking hazard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dannyboy Posted November 10, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 10, 2015 The breeder was feeding him dry kibble with a few spoons of puppy meat. We have got the same dry kibble and puppy meat, but he just eats the wet food and leaves the kibble. Any thoughts on that one ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hayden Posted November 10, 2015 Report Share Posted November 10, 2015 We have always wetted the dried kibble, the night before. Just use a plastic container add kibble for the next day and water, then leave over night. Hayden Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loriusgarrulus Posted November 10, 2015 Report Share Posted November 10, 2015 We feed ours Skinner's duck and rice ad-lib, all adults now though. You could try a complete puppy food and just leave it down all the time so he can eat it when he wants. If you really want to give meat as well feed in small amounts in a separate bowl. Cod liver oil is a good addition too. We buy it by the gallon from the farm shop, but you can get smaller containers. One other possibility is to soak the kibble in hot water till it is soft and cooled then mix in the meat well so he can't pick it out. If you feed it slightly warm it enhances the smell and encourages feeding as puppies are used to warm meals. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rimfire4969 Posted November 10, 2015 Report Share Posted November 10, 2015 (edited) Toys, who would let there working dog have a special toy. I would and she loves it, my youngest daughter gave it to her when she was a pup, she only has it at night time and she uses it as a pillow. Edited November 10, 2015 by rimfire4969 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loriusgarrulus Posted November 10, 2015 Report Share Posted November 10, 2015 Lovely. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dannyboy Posted November 10, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 10, 2015 haha, great photo rimfire. The breeder was using James Wellbeloved puppy lamb and rice mixed in with some wet food and he was eating like no tomorrow when I was there. Now he's home he just leaves the kibble and eats the wet food, I will try the trick of soaking it and warming it up, to start getting him to eat that. Thanks, for the advice again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rimfire4969 Posted November 10, 2015 Report Share Posted November 10, 2015 haha, great photo rimfire. The breeder was using James Wellbeloved puppy lamb and rice mixed in with some wet food and he was eating like no tomorrow when I was there. Now he's home he just leaves the kibble and eats the wet food, I will try the trick of soaking it and warming it up, to start getting him to eat that. Thanks, for the advice again. Worth a try or as said just leave it down to eat when hungry. Or as my youngest did hand feed every bit of kibble. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted November 10, 2015 Report Share Posted November 10, 2015 Not arguing with the guys experience but I see one of the best doing the opposite at thier kennels Retrieving is just recall with something in the dogs mouth. Taking things that literal does the dog have to retrieve treats. Bones and chews? Of course not 9 weeks and it's hard to spoil a dog. Chill or you will be too scared of spoiling it to train it anyhow Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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