Cocker pup - where to start?

[Bunglemom]

Hello,

So over the weekend we became fur parents! We will have our beautiful puppy the end of august and although we both grew up with dogs i could use some advice...

What do we need to buy for the puppy? (dont want to buy the pet shop to find that everything is useless!)

Also whats the best way to toilet train? I was thinking every half hour putting the pup outside and rewarding him when he does something?

Any tips and tricks will be gratefully received :-)

[ViperBugloss]

Buy easy peasy puppy squeezy and it will explain it all

[TriSkiRun99]

Echo above the book is a good introduction (we have a 11wk old puppy cocker/lab X), she literally sat by the back door every half hour we’ve only used one puppy pad... and whimpered if needing a poo. If you watch them like a hawk for a couple of weeks you can start to read their body language. We’ve also got lucky with her temperament. Crate for enforced quiet time once a day in the afternoon gives her a break from noisy kids/family life when we missed it she did doze on the sofa but was a nightmare zoomies around 7pm so we’ve gone back to giving her quiet space when she looks overstimulated and it’s a noticeable calmer puppy. Enjoy the calm 1st week cuddles before the madness truly kicks in..

[petalpower]

We bought the things that were recommended on the Uggeshall Kennels website (there’s a section called ‘Your Essentials’ ).
For toilet training I’ve been taking our 9 week sprocker out after naps, half an hour or so after food and whenever he looks a bit unsettled. I put him on the lead and have a small puppy treat to give him after each success.

[TimeWastingButFun]

I bought a puppy playpen to put on the grass, every half hour or so I out the puppy in it and made a fuss of her when she did something. It was a hexagonal pen and it was great because you can put the side of the pen over the poop (so the poop becomes outside) so you can clean up without the puppy stepping in it or running off.

[GrumpyMiddleAgedWoman]

Bed, bedding, bowls, a few toys.
Disinfectant and lots of kitchen towel (we have hard floors and can't be arsed to get up at night etc etc so house-training takes a bit longer).
Whatever food the breeder is using, at least to start with.
Make a vet appointment for first vaccinations and to discuss flea and work treatment. After a couple of weeks you'll want to have a collar (size small) and a lead of some kind to start to get your pup used to them before you can take it out. You'll also need a tag (I swear by the brass slide-ons you can get from a firm called identitag, order online, £6 a pop including postage).
Some means of restraint in the car (harness or crate or cat carrier).
Patience. Lots and lots of patience.
Somewhere out of puppy-reach for shoes, books, DC toys etc etc.
A bit more patience!

[TriSkiRun99]

Arrh yes have bought both my kids crocs type shoes to walk around kitchen and garden in to stop toes being bitten.

[BarrelOfOtters]

Buy the book and read it before the puppy arrives.

Also make sure they get enough sleep. They need far more sleep than they think they do. If they are being little shits they are probably tired.

Don’t let them sleep on the bed unless you want them to forever.

Don’t shout at them when they bite you. Step out of the room for time out, 10 seconds resets them.

Try using her food for treats...

Buy lots of puppy grade chew toys.

We crated at night in our room. And woke up and took her out at night. That’s in the long run better than puppy pads I think.

[Bunglemom]

Thanks so much for all the responses!

I've ordered the book and will be swatting up lol!

[OutingMyself]

Cancel the purchase and run for the hills. I say that as a cocker spaniel owner ;)