New Springer Puppy :)

[MuddyDogs]

Pics on profile. I'd love to hear any tips/stories from other Springer owners as this is a brand new experience for us. We were originally planning for dog #2 to be another terrier but had a last minute change of heart went to visit a breeder and fell in love with her. She's sleeping on my feet while I type this .

Mine is a year old tomorrow! He was a crisis rescue and a very last minute decision that I regretted at first. We have a toddler who was just 2 when we got him and DC 2 is due soon. He's turned out to be a wonderful dog and is brilliantly tolerant of DD. He was a lot of hard work at the beginning as we were determined to train him well. I do think we were lucky with him as well though, as he is really not as crazy as people make springers out to be. Off lead he runs about for hours ( loves sticks and birds) but he's very well mannered with other dogs and sensible around people.

We use a crate, which has been brilliant for us - keeps toddler away from him at difficult moments. I use a clicker to teach new things and lots of treats (which are either pieces of his normal food or popcorn).

He copes very well with being left alone, never barks in the house (except when cat comes through the car flap). I've had days when, pregnant and with a tantrumming toddler, I haven't been able to walk him. A new bone on those days and he's happy enough.

Our biggest problem was finding a food to suit him and he still has problems with a sensitive tummy at times.

Good luck and enjoy the cute puppy stage!

We have a springer cross who is alot older now so struggle to remember this stage, but I just wanted to say

awwwww, she's lovely.

But the mud! He just loves lying in muddy puddles or patches of mud to cool off after running about. He swims in the river but invariably finds more mud to soak in before we can get home!

He looks gorgeous by the way, but your westie will never be so white again!

We have the westie springer combo too!!! Springer is 12, westie is 11. Yep westie is convinced she is a springer and will follow her into any river, lake or puddle the muddier the better!

Springers are fab I grew up with one so it was a no brainier when I became a sahm. They are very intelligent think they are truly a member of the family. And no matter how long you go on a walk they will look at you as if to say "was that it?". But consequently I have a very fit and healthy westie as well!

Thanks for all your replies! We're having so much fun with her. We got her on Sunday and she had just turned 12 weeks so I think that's made the training easier. She sleeps from 10:30-5 am in her crate without making a peep (I have to wake her up to take her out...should I let her keep sleeping?) and has not had an accident in the house since Tuesday! She's also learned to sit too! They really are incredibly bright dogs aren't they? Amazing.

She and our Westie went through a few days of determining boundaries but now they seem to be best buddies. They wear each other out running around and wrestling in the garden and are taking a nap beside each other on the couch . Westie is definitely the boss but is being really wonderful with her, much to my surprise. Mrs-Agree. I think she'll keep my Westie fit and Westie will keep her busy so it's working out great so far. At the moment it's pretty much back to back walking, training etc. as I try to walk them separately a couple of times through the day and at least once as a pair.

What are good next things to do in terms of training. I'm thinking that it might be good to work on "Leave it" or "Off" as she seems to be very food motivated and we'll have to watch the children with snacks etc. left lying around .

I've got a springer spaniel who is almost 2. He is the most loving dog I have ever owned. He is asleep on my leg right now and is never far away from me.

I agree that 'leave it' is a good thing to train a dog. We trained our one while he was still young and he does know how to leave something most of the time.

I also think its good to teach them to fetch a ball. I never did manage to master that one with him and the only thing he will chase is cats and dogs.