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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Original poster

Adopting an English Cocker Spaniel - what do I need to know?

30 replies

TheSecretOfTheNile · 15/12/2013 08:27

Hello! I haven't posted in the Doghouse before. Could I ask some advice?

We've been hoping to get a dog for some months now. I am a lone parent, and work full time but based at home, and odd hours including evenings. On a typical day I am in and out, but never out for more than a few hours. I have 2 dc, aged 9 and 11 who love all animals esp. dogs and cats. We also have 2 cats, ginger Toms who are delightfully cuddly but are also real hunters - we live on the edge of countryside and they catch mice and birds (yuk).

My local vets put me in touch with someone locally who is looking to rehome her adorable English cocker spaniel. She's had a terrible few years (bereavement, divorce, having to move to new area, depression, failing health). It's clear that she loves her dog but she is out of the house all day every day and has sought a new home for him because she feels that she's not giving him the life he needs. I went to see her the other day, stayed with her and the dog for an hour. She spent most of the hour in tears, talked as much about her bereavement and divorce as she did about the dog. It seems to me that it's been a very hard decision for her to make but now that she's made it, her mind is made up and she wants to get on with it.

The dog is a 4 y o English cocker spaniel, in good health - she has kept all the pet insurance papers, his Kennel Club papers etc, and he is registered at the vets' in my village. He is gorgeous. My dc would love him to bits.

So, what do I need to know / think about / buy? I've already thought through how this dog would affect our daily lives, walking, playing with him etc, and have no doubt that we could look after him well.

One big question: how do I manage the introduction of the dog and the cats? I am a bit concerned that the cats might see the dog as a threat to their territory.

We are going back to visit again on Tuesday and the lady has said that she would be happy for us to take him then. I'm still not allowing myself to get too excited in case it all falls through. But potentially, we could have a dog on Tuesday! :)

OP posts:
Original poster
TheSecretOfTheNile · 15/12/2013 11:49

Bump; any doggy advice?

OP posts:
fanoftheinvisibleman · 15/12/2013 12:18

Is he used to cats?

No experience of doing it with an older dog, just a puppy, but I can tell you what we did.

We did clicker training (google kikopup on youtube if you are not familiar, she is great) There is no reason why you can't use is for on older dog. We kept puppy on lead for the first couple of meets. Everytime the pup looked away from cat or relaxed we clicked and treated. We also told him no when he tried to approach the cat. They settled really quickly as pup was at the little sponge 8 weeks stage so it was one of many things.

I would expect it to take a little longer with an adult dog but lots do. Our cat hating dog coped growing up when a cat turned up and moved in one day of its own accord!

I would make sure the cats have somewhere to go the dog cannot follow. I would also ask for them to meet before you bring him home for good as if it is a conplete disaster you can reassess.

I hope all goes well.

rosebudandvodka · 15/12/2013 12:57

Cocker spaniels are very family oriented, loving dogs. They are very busy and active, even after a big walk! They are usually up on their feet having a nosey at something!

Their coat needs trimming regular and they need brushing even more.
They LOVE mud, water, muck and will find it every time on a walk. They get filthy.

They are very greedy and can obsess about food.

They are sweet dogs though and can make lovey pets.

rosebudandvodka · 15/12/2013 12:58

Oh and they moult a fair bit too.

LadyTurmoil · 15/12/2013 13:07

No experience personally, but other people in threads have mentioned using stairgates, so cat can go upstairs and dog can't.

On a general note, make sure you drill into DCs about closing front door, gates etc. It's something you suddenly have to think about when you have a dog, but not with a cat.

I think you have to make sure dogs don't eat cat food - can others confirm this?

i would buy the minimum at the moment - will he come with dog bed from home? Check what food he's on and buy the same otherwise his tummy will be upset - might be anyway with all the changes.

Important that the dog has a place to go where your children know not to disturb him - whether that's his bed, a crate, as long as they know that he needs space when he's there. Better to let him settle in before marathon cuddle sessions (!) although it's very tempting... Good luck Smile

fanoftheinvisibleman · 15/12/2013 13:24

Yes, I do believe that cat food is not good for dogs in the long term LadyTurmoil. In our case the cat is one who steals the food...sometimes whilst he is eating it. She waltzes in and hisses at the poor dog who meekly hands it over. I should hasten to add they don't live together, the dog generally eats in peace but he goes to my mums whilst I work two days a week. The cat firmly wears the trousers and is an all round grumpy pants with him, but he takes it well.

Original poster
TheSecretOfTheNile · 15/12/2013 14:08

Thank you all!

The dog has been used to 5 cats living next door (a terrace, so very close by) and coming into his garden. Getting stairgates is a good idea; the lady had one by her front door, presumably to stop him from running outside when she answers the door.

Wrt the cats and dogs meeting, do you think it'd be a good idea to keep the dog in the kitchen for the first few hours, with a stairgate at the door into the rest of the house? (the other kitchen door leads into the garden). So that the cats can get used to the dog being in the house but can still feel that most of it is 'theirs'? And then gradually increase the area that the dog can go into? When we got the cats they were 7 week old kittens and I remember having them only in the kitchen to start with.

Another question: would you put the dog's food well away from the area where the cats eat, and / or feed them at different times?

Rosebud, do you know how often they need trimming?

Thank you! I'm trying not to get too excited yet, but he is a lovely dog and I know that my dc would just shower him with love and care (so would I!)

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rosebudandvodka · 15/12/2013 14:12

OP my cocker goes for an all over clip and shampoo every three months.. it's easier to manage her coat that way because she gets so wet and muddy twice a day!
I'm not sure how often a proper cut would have to be tbh.

Original poster
TheSecretOfTheNile · 15/12/2013 14:18

Thanks! Where we live there are lots of public footpaths, a nature reserve, and lovely woods within walking distance so I can imagine he'd get very muddy!

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LizzieVereker · 15/12/2013 14:29

I would echo the above about making sure doors are shut etc, our Cocker was a bit of an escape artist, even as an old boy. He was lovely with children, enjoyed a bit of a fuss, but did need a place of his own to escape to for a kip. We also had him clipped short all over every 3 months - much easier as he was a mud lark.

I can't help you with cat questions, he hated them with a passion, but probably because he never lived with one.

I miss him Sad but am sure you will enjoy your new family member!

rosebudandvodka · 15/12/2013 14:30

Sounds perfect.

Have you thought about who would look after him when you're away?

Wrt to cat food, we have ours in the utility room on the work top. It's fine and the cocker can't reach it. My other ( bigger ) dog tries hard to though - think giraffe neck Wink

Original poster
TheSecretOfTheNile · 15/12/2013 14:39

I've got 2 weeks off work over Christmas and New Year, so I'm thinking that if all goes well, that time will be all about settling the dog in.

As far as I've read, Cockers can be left for a few hours at a time - that must be right, mustn't it? The dog is currently being left for much longer than that. As regards holidays, I'm very happy to holiday in the UK and take him with us (to a dog-friendly cottage or such), or have a housesitter if we could afford to go abroad, which isn't looking likely for 2014! :) (not that I mind one bit)

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fanoftheinvisibleman · 15/12/2013 16:59

An older dog is generally fine to be left for a few hours. Mine is still young (16 months) but I can leave him for 3 or 4 hours when need be. It doesn't happen very often and I have never tested trying to leave him longer, there is no need. My dad refers to him as 'ours' and they are happy to have him when we are out longer which is great all round.

batteryhen · 15/12/2013 17:42

I have a 2 year old cocker, a 13 year old cat and a 16 month old ds. The cat hates the dog. Its quite sad as the dog is desperate to be her friend but he can't even look at her without getting a torrent of abuse so he basically tries to stay out of her way.
He is also very tolerant with ds but I watch him carefully and when I think he has had enough and wants some peace I let him go into his bed. I am trying to reach ds that if the dog is in his bed then he is not to be disturbed.
The dog loves water. The filthier the better. We get him clipped regularly and he is much easier to clean.
I have to say how much I love this dog. He is so affectionate, so loyal and loving. I frequently get told on walks how beautiful he is due to his unusual markings.
I think a cocker is a lovely choice xxxx

outtolunchagain · 15/12/2013 17:49

Best piece of advice is to get yourself over to the forums on www.cockersonline.co.uk , everything you need to know is on there.We have an English cocker and he is a wonderful family dog Grin

CMOTDibbler · 15/12/2013 17:59

The one thing I'd say to think about is not so much holidays, but more days out where you can't take the dog - to a theme park for instance. Or a night away with friends/family. It can be harder to organise something for those than a week away tbh

LadyTurmoil · 15/12/2013 18:03

Just a note of caution - has there been any discussion with the present owner about signing something which hands over ownership of the dog to you?

If all goes well, you don't want to be a year or two down the line and she wants "her" dog back because her circumstances have changed and life is looking much brighter ... don't know how you'd do it but it might be a good idea.

Sorry, don't want to be negative but it would be awful for you and your boys if it were to happen.

Original poster
TheSecretOfTheNile · 15/12/2013 18:29

CMOT, there are a good few people in the village who, in the past, when we were first thinking about getting a dog, offered to help on occasions like that.

LadyT, yes, I see what you mean. We talked about my taking over the existing pet insurance. Also the official paper naming the dog's parents - can that be updated to name me as owner? ISTM that the lady isn't very experienced at this kind of thing - and neither am I!

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needastrongone · 16/12/2013 11:53

Where you live sounds lovely and I wish you the very best of luck. We have a Springer and get a working Cocker mid Janaury.

I would just ensure the dog has secure recall before you let him off lead, especially with a new owner. Our Springer is too much of a wuss to venture all that far, which is a Spaniel breed trait in general (less independent than, say, a terrier) but obviously this will vary, especially maybe if he's not used to all that many long walks recently.

LadyTurmoil · 16/12/2013 13:44

Make sure you post some pictures here so we can have a look! Smile Update us tomorrow ...

Original poster
TheSecretOfTheNile · 16/12/2013 20:47

Thank you! I've been in touch with the owner again today who hassaid that we can have all of the dog's stuff (I had wondered about this but hadn't wanted to look too greedy!)

I have also told the dc who are very excited, although we are all going along the lines of 'it's not real until it is.'

Yes, I'll post some photos! :)

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Original poster
TheSecretOfTheNile · 17/12/2013 14:57

So we are going to visit, and all being well, rehome the Cocker this evening. Dd has tidied her room to within an inch of its life in quite an unprecedented move, and DS is being very sensitive and saying it doesn't feel right to take a lovely dog away from his owner and home. DS, dd and I had a long talk about that and I think I convinced DS that it's a good thing we're doing, not a bad one.

So, last few hours: anything I might not have thought of? I'm hoovering all the floors, and have taken foodie-looking presents from under the tree. Stairgates in two places. Dog bed set up in dd's room (which may or may not be a good idea.) Current owner will give us all her dog gear tonight, including food, so I haven't bought any yet. Anything I need to think of?

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Floralnomad · 17/12/2013 15:21

Does the dog sleep in the current owners bedroom ,if not it would make more sense for the dog to stay downstairs with a stair gate up so that the cats can have the upstairs if they want to stay away from the dog .Do your cats have a litter tray indoors ?

Original poster
TheSecretOfTheNile · 17/12/2013 15:43

Floral, yes, he sleeps in current owner's bedroom.

The cats don't have a litter tray any more. Why do you ask that?

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Floralnomad · 17/12/2013 15:52

Two reasons ,if they don't want to come out past the dog they'll need a tray and second a litter tray ,to some dogs ,is the equivalent of a graze box ! Its imperative that your cats feel safe in their own home ,I've had lots of friends who's cats have left home / moved to the garden because not enough thought was put into how they would react to a new dog . Hopefully it will all work out well in your case .

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