New puppy owner

[allie_jane]

Hi everyone,

Myself and my husband have just adopted 2 English Springer Spaniel puppies, a male called Jake and a bitch called Tess.

We've done loads of research and and prepared pretty well but I think we are going to need all the help and advice that you can give.

The pups have been registered for the training classes and we are looking forward to meeting everyone.

Allie x

[Jack]

Welcome Allie, I'm Jack(ie) and I have the pleasure of sharing my heart and home with 2 Staffie girls Ella & Rosie and my crossed Staffie boy Sykes.

Look forward to seeing pictures of your two and to hearing all about them. Good luck with the training classes
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Staffies are my life! Visit us at www.staffies.co.uk

[jackdeb]

Oh get some piccies up quick please

We are Jack and Debbie we have 2 english springer spaniels Oscar 18 mths and Kodi who is 3 and a half yrs

Debs
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springers rule!!! our house

[kirsty]

Hi guys, I now have two GSDs but have previously owned a liver and white springer Bruce who was a great guy. they are a bit mad and take a while to mature so lots of fun ahead.

looking forward to seeing the photos of them.
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"In a perfect world, every dog would have a home and every home would have a dog."

[allie_jane]

I'll put some pics up tomorrow, they are so cute and pretty well behaved, they never do 2's in the house, and only now and again do 1's, they never go in their crate and they are already sitting for their food (not bad for 8 weeks old), however has anyone any advice on puppy's fighting? I know they need to learn to mouth rather than bite from each other but I get worried when they start to snarl and go for each other.

I really want to do as much as possible right.

Thanks..

Allie xx

[kendal]

hey welcome im kendal i share our three cockapoos with my mum Janis(also on the forum) Gypsy (blond) Inca(black) both two with 11 weeks between them and our 15/16 week old puppy Echo (black and white)


are your two from the same litter, some people have problems with pups from the same litter. how old were they when you got them.

our three are very noisy play fighters and sometimes sound like they are trying to kill each other but it is all noise and only lasts a couple of seconds.
you could try giving them some time apart from each other ie taking them out on walks separately some of the time.

when you say they are snarling at each other, is it ever over there toys food or chews. what i tend to do with our lot is give them something let them have it for a while then take it from them and give it to one of the the others.
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microchiping and grooming www.chipnclip.co.uk

[Claire/Mark]

Hello and welcome to the forum, Me and Mark have Tara (Rotti) and Mylo (Cocker Spaniel) looking forward to meeting you's , can't wait to see the pics of your two

[allie_jane]

Hi there,

Thanks for the replies.

kendal - The pups were 7 weeks when we got then (that was I week ago), they are from the same litter.

The fighting is never over food, but usually over toys and the attention of myself and my husband Jim.

They snarl and nip then run away but the little girl will usually go back for seconds (although it's usually the male who starts it). The get pretty vocal and cry out when a bite is too bad (no injury's though).

My instinct is to separate them but that just seems to make it worse. We can't go for walks yet but we do try to tire them out in the garden and playing in the house.

Alison.

[graceb]

Hi and welcome to the forum. I have Dexter a 1year old Doberman dog.
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Grace & Dexter

[kendal]

definitely sounds like they are doing well.

our wee one is always steeling things off the others.


when you say they fight over your attention, is it like if you talk to one and not the other, and they get jealous, or is it if you walk in and they both run to you for attention at the same time and get in each others way which starts them fighting.

are they every trying to nip you or your husband.

sorry for all the questions, just trying to build up a picture so i can try and help, looking forward to meeting you all.
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microchiping and grooming www.chipnclip.co.uk

[Janis]

hi allie and welcome!

congratulations on your new additions............they sound just lovely and i look forward to seeing the pics and meeting them in class!..............i am janis......kendal's mum with the cockapoos!

the one thing i stress also is giving them time apart............whether you and your husband are in different rooms ........or maybe one is running out to collect someon and one of them can be taken in the car that kind of thing. you don't want them to become dependant on each other as they have never know what it is like to be alone since birth. all you are doing is letting them know it's ok to be away from their sibling!

as for the crate i would suggest you get them to use it now and it will make life so much simpler in the future!................think of it as their bedroom........it becomes their space where they can almost take time out from you and anything else they want to get away from............a bit like us going for a long hot bath with the door locked!

not only that but you will know that when you go out and return that nothing will be chewed ..........and they can start chewing at any age not just pupies .............or worse still they have injured themselves as they have chewed through wires etc.

i first used a crate 27 years ago and many people thought i was cruel...........however when they saw how the dogs went in of their own accord while i was watching telly eating whatever and made themselves comfortble folk then understood!

you will enjoy this forum and the training class as their is lots of advice and tips as well as chit chat and jokes!
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Cockapoo's...a little of this, a little of that..........
the perfect combination!

[Gaelle]

Hello and welcome. I am Gaelle and I have a young Clumber spaniel called Cuthbert. I love all dogs but I have to admit spaniels steal my heart. I am looking forward to seeing pictures of your two and meeting them at training some time.
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Happiness is watching my dog chase leaves dancing in the breeze.

[allie_jane]

Hi, Thanks for everyone replies, its so reassuring to know there is somewhere we can ask advice.

It's a good idea to separate them for a while, we will start with that today.

I have been thinking about the fighting and usually it starts with fun that escalates, the do nip at us when we separate them and up to now when they do nip us we will normally give them a time out (on their side - as per Cesar Millan).

They will also wrestle with toys, and that also usually escalates.

This morning we noticed that when they are tired they are much more docile with each other, and walking them may help in the long run, but it's at least another 3 weeks before that can happen and I don't know what to do for the best right now.

Sorry for all the questions but this is my first puppy(s) (I have been around older dogs) I know the importance of a good solid start and we so want to do things right.

Thanks

Allie xx

[John Thomson]

Welcome to the forum Allie,

Lots of sound advice to be had here. It will be VERY important for the dogs to get used to being apart......you want them to bond with you more than each other......address this now and it will make life easier/better for both you and the dogs.......they are a working breed and naturally have high levels of 'prey' drive.

Bottom line is to treat them as dogs and not children, I will have sent you the pack order article by email but here is a link, http://www.cumbernaulddogtraining.co.uk/pack-order.html , use these rules in your house and you are more likely to have happy content dogs.

Any questions please don't hesitate to ask..........that is what this place is for.

john
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John Thomson
www.cumbernaulddogtraining.co.uk

[Jack]

Allie,

TRY not to worry too much about this - the rough play is pretty vital for them to establish dominance all dogs do this. I have 3 Staffies and when they start the sounds are horrific but it's ALL play and relatively gentle mouthing - except for when Sykes gets too carried away - THEN he hurts the girls and I have to step in very very swiftly to stop them hurting him back - typical bloke really - pushing his luck and relying on me to step in and sort it before he gets a taste of his own medicine

I think you're doing great by stepping in when you feel it has got to such a pitch and stopping it - keep that up and you'll not go far wrong. As regards the crates - leave them open when you're in the house and you'll find pups will pop in there voluntarily if and when they want a bit of time out.

My 2 girls are crate trained and just love them
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Staffies are my life! Visit us at www.staffies.co.uk