We
are not going to touch upon a choice of breed, whether you
need a puppy at all, whether you would be able to cope with
difficulties of rearing a puppy and whether you have enough
time for your dog....
Imagine you have got a small English ocker Spaniel (note
that the best age for a puppy's smooth transition to his new
owners home is 2,5-3month). At that age the puppy goes
through a period of socialization; he is interested all new things,
and absolutely painlessly goes through parting with his mother,
brothers & sisters, the breeder's family.
So, you brought the puppy
home, where everything had been
prepared for appearance of the little charmer. You had thought
over beforehand:
- where and on what he would sleep;
- what food and from what bowl he would eat;
- where and how you would provide him with
readily available clear water for drinking;
- in what games he would engage;
- in what toys he would play (those must be soft, light, latex
dogs toys, little balls; puppies like to play with empty plastic
bottles, to gnaw at old leathern belt/strap).
Remember the vaccination! If the breeder gave a shot to your
puppy, you must know exactly what kind of vaccine was used,
and whether the series was complete. As a rule, the puppy must
be vaccinated twice, with a 3 week's interval.
If your puppy has been vaccinated only once you have to
make his vaccination completed independently or by
arrangement with the breeder.
Bear in mind, walking
your puppy before his
series of shots has been completed is dangerous!
If your wonder is completely vaccinated, and 10 days have
passed after the last shot, you may go out for a walk with your
little friend. At first he will be confused and jumble in your
legs, stick to you, be afraid of everything.
Do go for a walk often but for a short time, avoid taking him
in your hands, but never make him walk when he is tired.
In this case let him lay down (if the weather is warm) or take
him in
your hands.
Dont allow him to go up & down the stairs
while he has not become adult !
If you stay constantly
at home, your puppy can move all over the flat,
playing and amusing you. But if you need to go out for some time
and leave the puppy at home alone, you have to close him in a
separate room or in special pups box/area.
We say that if you need to go to work for all day proper rearing
of a puppy is impossible! You have the puppy closed during your
absence is necessary for the sake of the puppys safety,
because puppies always want to get into electric equipment,
any dresser, etc.
When you are at home and attending your daily chores,
talk to your puppy as much as possible, call him by his name often,
keep using the words come, good, no!, etc.
Dont scold the puppy if he has done his business in the house,
as he is too young to understand it!
If the puppy has gnawed (eaten) something very expensive
or important for you, you must blame for it only yourself, because
1) having a little puppy is the house you must hide tidy up/
all things which can attract his attention;
2) a puppy gnaws all things when he is bored.
A well walked, contented dog that is happy to be in contact with
his owner and other dogs, will not do anything wrong!
The foundations of
dogs disposition/temper,/ nature and
obedience is laid at the age of 3-6 months. If you prove yourself
to be the master and the leader of the pack, your Cocker will
never
disappoint you and will be joy to be with. At this age you have
to
accustom your Cocker to grooming (combing, drying with blow-dryer,
showing teeth, etc.).
These obligatory procedures must be done as often as possible.
Though the puppy hasnt enough coat at this age, you have to do
the symbolic combing, having the puppy on put its back.
Also you must open the puppy's mouth and examine its teeth.
The teeth. Milk teeth
start shedding somewhere about tree
months and all permanent teeth are cut when the puppy is
6 month old. So the vets recommend completing vaccination
before the puppy reaches the age of 3 months that is before
the onset of teeth shedding.
The next shot should be done at the age of 7 or 8 months but
different vets are of different opinion as to the issue and each
vaccine
has its own cycle at that.
It is known, that the puppys owner must not pull anything from
mouth of the puppy because young jams are very soft and active
and so you can easily spoil the bite. If your puppy has caught
something unlawful, you must open his mouth and take it from
there carefully.
Remember, you must
not make a puppy do anything
by force, but only induce him by caress, while playing,
repeatedly and systematically.
Then you will get an obedient, tender and
happy Cocker!
If
you want to share with us any of your advice,
or you have any questions or suggestions,
please, do not hesitate to write to us.
