HOUSE BREAKING A NEW DOG

THREE RULES FOR SUCCESS

1. REPETITION without varying routine.  ONE and only ONE PERSON responsible for the training.

2. CRATE without blanket, pad or papers.  If they can bury it, they can do it.  The dog is in the crate at any time you are busy or away.        

3.   IF AN ACCIDENT HAPPENS IT IS YOUR FAULT!

THE CRATE

A CRATE is large enough for the dog to stretch out flat, stand without crouching and turn around in comfort.  BUT not large enough to get lost in or have enough room to go potty in.

A CRATE is to be used as a safe haven for the dog as well as the personal property of the rest of the family and house.  The crate is never used as a punishment.  The crate to your dog is as your bed or favorite chair is a safe and comfortable place for you.

A CRATE is to be used in that first several weeks as the only place the dog is, when not in direct eye-ball contact with the trainer, ie:  taking a shower the dog is crated, leaving the house the dog is crated, bed time the dog is crated.

A CRATE trained dog can travel anywhere, stay in almost any hotel and is a welcomed guest in 99 percent of family and friends homes.  The dog also has a safe place to get away from those pesky children that arrive with you pesky relatives.  Remember a normal healthy adult dog sleeps around 16 hours a day in short naps and will sleep through the night of 6 to 8 hours.

A CRATE trained dog can have any pads, pillows, blanket, or toys.

Following the above three (3) rules,  a new dog of 12 weeks or 12 years can be trained in a new home in seven days or a little more..

THE TRAINER

The person responsible must be the adult who wants to keep the house clean.

The person responsible must have the most time that first week and the most patience.

The person has the only and final word that first week.  Eventually the person will lose out to the other household members and as the dog becomes a member of the family and receives it’s own vote.

The person must at all times keep the dog in SIGHT, the dog is NOT ALLOWED to roam the house and explore.  Doors of rooms, closed, allowed only in a room with surveillance.

Every waking hour, on the hour, the dog is asked to relieve outside (taken out to a spot you wish the dog to use from NOW on, staying with the dog and praising him when the job is complete.  About 3 to 5 minutes is enough, if nothing is done then back into the crate for the next hour, the rule “no pee-pee, no free free” “ no poop, no loose”  No dog will go every time the are taken out, but given the chance, an accident is eliminated for another hour.  The dog that does the job can be played with, petted, loved, etc. for another free hour.

SCHEDULE

First thing in the morning the dog is taken out.

After each meal the dog is taken out.

After a play time the dog is taken out.

After a nap the dog is taken out.

Last thing before your bed time in the evening the dog is taken out.

RESULTS

One week or little more of constant work on your part will be years of enjoyment in a happy household with a well adjusted dog.

One small area in the yard is so much easier to keep picked up and the rest of the yard walkable.  Pick an area you want for summer and winter, rain and snow.  A 3 foot square with pea-gravel is ideal.

NEVER DO THE FOLLOWING

If you feel you have to rub a nose in a mistake, use your own nose.  The dog will misunderstand the intent and think you are teaching them to recycle.

Do not paper train a dog unless you wish for the rest of the dog’s life your morning paper wet, the mail turned yellow, magazines and books ruined.

Never take a new dog anywhere without a leash on the dog;s collar and the other end in your hand.  Even in your own fenced in back yard, until you are absolutely sure it is escape proof.

FAILURE

The fault is entirely yours because you did not follow the above instructions.

HOME AND THE NEW PUPPY

The following is a list of hazardous substances that can hurt your puppy and cause major problems for you both:

Anti - freeze

Liquid fertilizer

Ant, mouse, or snail poison

Flower spray, ie: Aphids

Residue around caps of any liquid cleaner, under sinks

Blue toilet water

Furniture polish

Freshly cleaned rugs (shampoo)

Your puppy will be in a Stress Situation for the first few days in his new environment, you must remember he is away from his mom and his brothers and sisters, as a result a major bowel upset may occur,  as well a change in dog food can cause this at any time in a dog’s life, especially canned dog food.

A good idea is to carry on feeding your new puppy the same food as the breeder was feeding.

If your puppy’s stool does not return to normal within the first few days contact the breeder.

MAINTAINING A HAPPY, HEALTHY COCKER

FOOD

Feed a quality dry food

Kitchen treats, raw and cooked vegetables

No gravy or uncooked meats.

NEVER CHOCOLATE, as it causes illness and in some cases even death.

Feed 3 times a day until the puppy is 4 months of age.

Feed 2 times a day until the puppy is 6 months of age.

Feed 1 time a day the rest of the dog’s adult life.  I usually feed in the evening (supper time).

Treats - cookies (such as milk bones)  Never give your dog a raw hide chewy, most of these are not digestible and can cause problems.

WHAT IS YOURS IS YOURS WHAT IS THEIRS IS THEIRS

Use the word MINE it is stern without sounding too harsh.  Start this day one, but be sure they have something of their own to play with and distract them away from such things as electrical cords, chair legs, shoes, boots, or anything else that is yours.

If you want them on the couch, let them on the couch.  If you DON’T want the dog on the furniture never place them on the furniture.  A new puppy can be trained to respect rooms and furniture as off limits, or can be trained to join you as a couch potato, but don’t expect both.

Toys - nothing smaller then what just fits into the mouth.  Ball no smaller then tennis balls.  Eye buttons removed from stuffed toys.

OBEDIENCE TRAINING

Recommended for all breeds, as it helps in making a happy and self assured animal that knows its boundaries.  Obedience also teaches respect of owner and the owners respect of the dog.

EXERCISE

Cockers need as much as you do, if you walk go together, if you run go together, if you bike go together, if you drive go together.

GROOMING

Regular brushing with a slicker brush will keep your cocker clean, mat free and happy.

Irregular and/or lazy maintenance will cause the family to wish you had bought a beagle and the happy coated cocker after the first stip-off will look like you did.

Bathing with a good PH balanced dog shampoo.

Check the ears weekly and clean when necessary with a cotton ball (vinegar and water solution)

Clean the anal gland during the bath.

Grooming should be started with your groomer as soon as you have the puppy home. This gets them use to the sound of the clipper and blow dryers used by groomers and makes the experience  a happy one.  Never ever only have your dog groomed once a year.

For this breed this is cruel as they matt which can cause many other problems for your dog.

Hair cuts/trimming every 4-6-8 weeks as preferred.

GETTING READY FOR PUPPY

2 Stainless steel dog dishes (recommended for sanitary reasons)

2 dog brushes (1 pin brush and 1 slicker brush)  

1 wide tooth comb

1 pair of toe nail clippers

1 nylon collar

1 6 ft. obedience lead

Crate (vari-kennel 200 size medium)

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

For an upset tummy and diarrhea feed the following for a few days.

Boil hamburger and rice separately mix together at ratio of ¼ hamburger to ¾ rice and feed in place of the dog’s normal diet.  This is a bland diet and usually will help settle an upset stomach.

Cockers can be sensitive to heat during summer months which can cause diarrhea as well.

Cockers have a very sensitive personality and usually are afraid of  things they have not encountered.  Please take the time and socialize your cocker with other adults, children, even other animals.  This helps to build the cocker’s confidence and makes for a well adjusted pet.

If a cocker shows fear of another person the fastest way for them to get over it is through their stomach.  Give the person a treat and let them coax the cocker to come to them.  This works the best in a situation where the dog is afraid of another person.

COCKERS ARE A HIGH MAINTAINENCE PET AND MUST BE TREATED THAT WAY TO KEEP THEM THE BEAUTIFUL CREATURES THEY ARE.