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From June, about Ginger:
How many in family?: 2
Kids?: No
Other pets (cat/dog - how many)?:
none
How long did it take for your new dog to settle into your household ?:
one or two weeks
Did you have to consult with a behaviourist ?: yes
How long did
you attend obedience classes ?: two session of 8 weeks each
Other issues/comments: with love
and patience any dog can become a loved companian
Ginger is strictly a one person dog. With all the baggage
it is possible they can only relate to one person who they feel rescued them. Hopefully in time she will change but it may
not be possible. I contacted a behaviorist because I didn't know how to make her accept my husband. I had no problem
with her.
She is fine when I am not here. But is clearly my dog when I return.
Letter from an owner in Seattle:
- How long have you had your rescued cocker?
About a year and a half.
2. How many people in your family?
Just me .
3. Do you have other pets? (cat/dog + how many)
No
4. How long did it take for your rescued cocker to settle into
your household?
She didn't eat for several days, and she continued to have submissive urination for a while.
It took her about a month before she really trusted me. I got lucky though, she is a very mellow dog and had been well trained
by her previous owners.
5.Did you have to consult with a behaviorist?
No. I knew she was coming with the submissive urination problem, and read up on it before she
arrived so I knew what to do about it. She also supposedly had pollen allergies that required frequent baths, but I have not
found that to be true living in an apartment in the city. I think she may have been bored and lonely, and used the continuous
scratching to gain attention. Or she may have been genuinely allergic to something in the rural area she came from. She is
definitely an alpha dog, and we have had our alpha bitch wars. Fortunately, I knew enough about dogs that I could let her
know I ran the house. Since she is a service dog, and spends time with me 24/7, I usually only have to put her in her crate
for about half an hour to overnight in order to extinguish any really bad behavior, like peeing on my bed, something her previous
owner warned me about.
6. How long did you attend Obedience classes?
We took obedience classes for six weeks, but as she had been previously trained, it was more
like "oh, yeah, I remember this" for her. We would have gone on if I had had the time and money. I think she would have earned
a companion dog certificate by now. We also took a tricks class for five weeks where she began to learn to do service dog
tasks. She is a very fast learner, especially if you have treats, and likes to work.
7. Any other issues or comments?
People need to understand that Cockers are high maintenance dogs. The require frequent brushing
and/or grooming. Their ears get infected easily. They have problems with their anal glands. Sometimes as they age they have
problems with cataracts. And they have huge emotional needs. One reason my dog is a good service dog for me is that she is
very clingy, and she also likes to make new friends. She thinks she is a people and doesn't know how to play with dogs, something
that would be undersireable in a service dog anyway. This is the sixth Cocker in my life, I love the breed, but you have to
know what you are getting into.
From Jo-anna about Robbie
How many in family?: 2
Kids?: NO
Other pets (cat/dog - how many)?: NONE
How long did it take for your new dog to settle into your household ?: HE STILL IS.... WELL, PROBABLY 4 MONTHS
BUT WE CONTINUE TO NOTICE HIM GETTING CALMER, MORE TRUSTING - IT IS A CONTINUAL PROCESS.
Did you have to consult with a behaviourist ?: NO, BUT IT WAS RECOMMENDED BY A GROOMER (AND TO SEE A DOG PSYCHIC!)
How long did you attend obedience classes ?: WE DIDN'T.
Issues/comments: WE DIDN'T SEE A BEHAVIORIST OR GO TO CLASSES, BUT WE DID CONSULT WITH OTHERS AND OUR VET
AND DID A LOT OF READING.
WE WORK WITH ROBBIE EVERYDAY. WHEN WE FIRST GOT HIM, IN ADDITION TO ANY OTHER CASUAL PETTING, ETC., I GAVE
HIM AN HOUR A DAY OF UNINTERRUPTED PETTING/CUDDLING. THIS WAS A MAJOR INVESTMENT BUT HAS PAID OFF IN TERMS OF HIS TRUST/ATTACHMENT.
HE CONTINUES TO NEED A LOT OF ATTENTION. IT TOOK 4-6 MONTHS TO BUILD TRUST ENOUGH FOR HIM TO LET ME TOUCH HIS FEET AND EARS
(HE STILL DOESN'T AUTOMATICALLY LET OTHERS, E.G., THE VET).
WHEN WE TOOK HIM TO THE VET AFTER OUR FIRST WEEK (FOR A CHECK-UP AND SHOTS) HE "FREAKED OUT" AND HAD TO BE
MUZZLED.
ROBBIE ALSO GROWLED AT CHILDREN WHO VISITED THE HOME (OUR NIECES AND NEPHEWS) - SOME PEOPLE TOLD US
TO GET RID OF HIM BECAUSE OF THIS.
IT HAS TAKEN A LONG TIME AND A LOT OF PATIENCE TO TEACH ROBBIE TO TRUST AGAIN. HE NEEDS LOTS OF DAILY AFFECTION
WHICH WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN POSSIBLE IF WE HAD CHILDREN OF OUR OWN OR OTHER PETS.
HE NEEDS WEEKLY EAR CLEANING, DAILY BRUSHING, TEETH BRUSHING 3X PER WEEK OR MORE. HE GETS BATHED EVERY 3-4
WEEKS AND GROOMED EVERY 6-8 ($40/VISIT OR SO).
THESE STEPS ARE SOMETIMES TOUGH IF HE'S NOT IN THE MOOD, BUT HAVE SAVED HIM FROM PAINFUL CONDITIONS
AND SAVED US FROM VET BILLS.
COCKERS ARE INTELLIGENT DOGS THAT NEED STIMULATION. ROBBIE ESPECIALLY, IS VERY BRIGHT. DESPITE HIS REPORTED
AGE (6), HE HAS LEARNED 15-20 TRICKS/COMMANDS. THIS HAS TAKEN HOURS OF HIS AND OUR TIME. HE NEEDS TO BE PLAYED WITH AND TO
GET EXERCISE.
WE LIVE IN AN APARTMENT AND HE HAS ADJUSTED WELL, BUT IT DOES MEAN THAT WE CAN'T JUST "LET HIM OUT" - WE TAKE
HIM FOR WALKS 3-6 TIMES PER DAY AND AT LEAST ONE OF THOSE IS 1/2 HOUR OR MORE.
WE DON'T THINK YOU CAN EXPECT THE ADOPTED DOG TO CONFORM TO YOUR LIFESTYLE - YOU NEED TO EXPECT TO MAKE CHANGES
TO ACCOMODATE THE DOG & TO MEET IT'S NEEDS. YOU ALSO NEED TO EXPECT TO SPEND AT LEAST $1000 BUT PROBABLY MORE LIKE
$2000 PER YEAR ON QUALITY FOOD, TOYS, ACCESSORIES, GROOMING, VET CHECKS & SHOTS, EXTRA SAVINGS FOR UNFORSEEN VET VISITS/INSURANCE,
DOGGY DAYCARE/KENNELS, MISC. SUCH AS MICRO-CHIPPING.
COCKERS ARE ADORABLE AND CAN BE VERY LOVING, BUT LIKE ANY PERSON/ANIMAL, IF THEY HAVE BEEN MISTREATED, THEY
NEED EXTRA CARE, PATIENCE AND ATTENTION TO GAIN THEIR TRUST. THIS DOESN'T MEAN LETTING THE DOG GET AWAY WITH UNACCEPTABLE
BEHAVIOR, BUT IT DOES MEAN BEING CONSISTENT AND REASONABLE IN CORRECTIVE ACTION AND GIVING LOTS OF LOVE/PRAISE FOR APPROPRIATE
BEHAVIOUR.
WE LOVE ROBBIE SO MUCH AND DON'T THINK OF ANY OF THE ABOVE (COST, HOURS, EMOTIONAL TAXATION) AS A BURDEN,
BUT IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR AN ANIMAL TO MEET YOUR EMOTIONAL NEEDS OR "FIT" YOUR FAMILY, A RESCUE DOG MOST LIKELY ISN'T FOR
YOU.
From Leanne, about Meisha:
How many in family?: 4
Kids?: 2
Other pets (cat/dog - how many)?: 2 other than Meisha
How long did it take for your new dog to settle into your household ?: 1
day
Did you have to consult
with a behaviourist ?: I
did speak with the vet about her lack of housetraining
How long did you attend obedience
classes ?: did not go
Other issues/comments: Meisha came with every problem
going (we knew that before we adopted her) but she needed a caring, supportive and attentive family to live with. She
is "the" sweetest dog ever. I would hate to total all the money we have spent on her in the last 3.5 years but I would do
it all over again as they (Meisha any way) has brought so much to our family. She is my "little baby girl", as I call
her. And she loves me too.
I recommend potential adoptees to research cocker spaniels
as they do come with "baggage". Don't take a dog if you are not willing to put the effort, time and money into them
because that is what it takes, but it is definitely worth it, they can be very wonderful.
From Shirley and Alex about Jordie:
Other
pets (cat/dog - how many)?: 2 other dogs, 3 birds and a rabbit
How
long did it take for your new dog to settle into your household ?: few weeks
Did
you have to consult with a behaviourist ?: no
How
long did you attend obedience classes ?: didnt
Other
issues/comments: Jordy still has dominance issues with Alex, with me there
hasnt been a problem. We still have to work with him to walk properly,
but weve been on vacation for the last couple weeks and he seems to be coming along.
We still have work to do with the come command.
From Linda about William:
How many in family?: 1 (just me)
Kids?: no
Other pets (cat/dog - how many)?:
1 cocker Spaniel - Molly
How long did it take for your new dog to settle into your household ?:
approx 12 months
Did
you have to consult with a behaviourist ?: no
How long did you attend obedience classes ?:
none
Other issues/comments: I have had William for 4 years now and he still
has issues
with people coming close to me. He is quite possessive and still
follows me everywhere. He is very affectionate to me (gives
great hugs
and kisses), but takes time to trust other people. Unfortunately, rescue
dogs can't talk, so you have to
be very patient with them and try to
understand why they do certain things and have a certain behavior. Both Molly and
William are the same age (8 yrs old) but William still acts like a
puppy, wanting to play non-stop.
Cocker Spaniels
also require alot of grooming, so you have to be
prepared to spend the time (& money) to do this. Rescue dogs may
not have the confidence of other dogs, so they may require more attention at times.
I love both of mine very much
and could not imagine life without them,
and as I have no children, they get all the love and attention they need.
Patience
and time are two key factors when talking about rescues, but
the rewards can be magnificent.
From Linda R about Mitzi:
Name
of Dog:
Mitzi (aka Bridget)
Other
pets (cat/dog - how many)?: 0
How
long did it take for your new dog to settle into your household ?: a few months
Did
you have to consult with a behaviourist ?: no, not necessary
How
long did you attend obedience classes ?: 6 weeks
Other
issues/comments: This little gem has changed my life. She can be stubborn
at times, but I dont know what I would do without her. Yes, it does cost especially when the dog has lifetime eye and
ear conditions, but the unconditional love is worth every penny!
From Joe and Sonya, about Charly:
How many in family?: 2
Kids?: 0
Other pets (cat/dog - how many)?: 1 cat also a
rescue
How long did it take for your new dog to settle into your household ?: 2-3
months as he wasn't housebroken
Did you have to consult
with a behaviourist ?: Yes
How long did you attend
obedience classes ?: 1 month
Other issues/comments: alot of health issues
which are still ongoing which has cost us over the last three years approx. $5,000. Still getting staph and allergy
shots on monthly basis which costs approx $500/year for the serums and also needs baths on weekly basis and medication as
he developes crusties. We also have to homecook when he's allergys act up (which are real bad right now.) Charly
does still have seperation anxiety and needs to be crated when we go out. We are lucky that Joe only works part time
otherwise Charly would have to be crated for 8 hour periods which we could not live with. It seems one of the main reasons
people give up cockers is due to behaviour or health problems so people should ensure they have the patience and monetary
resources.
Letter from and Owner about Nicholas:
- How long have you had your rescued cocker? 14 Months
- How many people in your family? 2 Adults total
- Do you have other pets? (cat/dog + how many) No
- How long did it take for your rescued cocker to settle into your household? Wow, how to answer? He settled
into our household schedule in just a few days. Had beautiful indoor manners from the beginning, but we did crate training
to be sure...meals and bedtime still take place in same crate. Within couple of months he started bonding to
spouse and most frequent visitors. Still has such over-reaction to unexpected kindness, that he can still scarcely hold still
for a stranger to pet him. Only in the last couple of months can he sit still enough to be a lap dog on the couch!
- Did you have to consult with a behaviorist? No, but haven't ruled it out yet.
Still snappy when kids approach.
- How long did you attend Obedience classes? Eight consecutive Sundays, two hours each. Mostly basics, up through loose-leash walking.
This started about 2 months after adoption. Can't recommend it highly enough. May do more later... I feel that Nicholas
is still re-building his confidence after whatever happened in the "before time."
- Any other issues
or comments? Maybe I got the
"Entry-level" rescue dog, but it's hard to imagine why anybody let Nicholas go. Still, read everything you can get your hands
on, lurk on message boards to see what other issues cocker owners are facing. Grooming can be a little intense, and even expensive.
Highly recommend that new owners learn to flush ears weekly, and brush coat daily! We are starting to tackle haircuts and
nails at home. Plan for the long term relationship... Nicholas is a "one-person" dog, and probably always will be
(not that *I* mind), but even after a year and change, he is still overcoming his fears and continuing to blossom.
So, if you STILL want to adopt a cocker..fill out an application and send it in.
Now...click on the link below to see how much your cocker could cost you in one year.
Budget for your Cocker
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