Things to Consider

Things to consider before collection of your new springer spaniel

1. Get an identity disc made up which must have the first line of your name, first line of your address and post code on it plus phone number this is the minimum requirement by law, you can put your full address if you want, but advise not the dog’s name.

2. Make sure you have collar, lead, bedding, food and water bowls, not all dogs come with these.

3. Made arrangements for existing animals such as where your cat is to live during the introduction of your new Springer.

4. Make the ground rules for your new Springer which are acceptable to all family members i.e. no feeding at table, no going up stairs (use baby gate) if you do not want dog up stairs, put books, small furniture on chairs, settees if dog is not going to be allowed on furniture, never pull a dog off furniture, if does not get off when told tip furniture so he falls off, do this fast so he get a shock!

5. Set out where dog is to sleep i.e. if downstairs make sure nobody goes down to dog if he cries or makes a fuss, he is attention seeking, only go to him when he has quietened down. It is easier to relax the rules at a later date than to have to toughen up the rules when things have been too soft, do not excuse bad behaviour as, “oh he is still settling in, it’s all new to him,” he will only take advantage of you!

6. Warn the neighbours you are bringing in a new member to the family and he might take a few days to settle.

7. Look forward to receiving your new family member by making sure any children in the family know how to treat and respect him, making them understand that they do not go in his bed, it is his place of rest and sanctuary when he wants peace and quiet!

8. Sort out arrangements for the dog if you have to be away from the house for long periods unexpectedly.

9. Insure the dog checking for a for life policy.

10. Remember there is always someone at the end of a phone line for help and advice if needed.

Things to consider after collection of your new Springer Spaniel

Give your Springer time to settle when you get him home, introduce him slowly to the house, garden, family members and resist the temptation of showing off your new family member to too many friends and relations at the start he will find it is enough to cope with just the immediate family to start with, remember he will need time to settle and have some peace and quiet so he can think his new situation through.

Keep your new dog on a lead / long line for approx three weeks to allow full bonding with you.

Supervise in garden to start with at all times to start with, first day on lead or long line.

Visit your own vet within 7 days to register dog, have weighed and M.O.T. done and inform JSR if any problems.

Feed dog if possible same food as before and if you wish to change food, do it over a period of ten days after first few days to avoid any upset tummy troubles.

Exercising starts in the garden where you can encourage him to use a certain area as his toilet by saying, “go toilet”, “hurry up”, “go wee,” or what ever words you want, this makes clearing up after him so much easier. Your Springer will live for his walks and he needs to go out at least twice a day, on the lead to start with, then progressing to a long line when you feel he will respond to you and has bonded, you can let him off, trying to find a safe place to start with without too many distractions, after recalling him on the long line giving lots of praise and a treat when he returns to you, before saying go and play, do this plenty of times then drop the line and do it with him towing the line to start with before releasing him completely this can take up to three weeks. Remember he will want to go out whatever the weather in fact the wetter and muddier the better

Grooming your dog is a great bonding exercise and gives you a chance to get to know your dog’s usual lumps and bumps so it is easier to tell when something is not right, most Springers love a bath and if this is part of routine, grooming will be much easier, feet need to be trimmed regularly, ear and teeth cleaned and his coat brushed regularly, if he has been neutered his coat may “Blow” and go woolly, this can be greatly helped by regular grooming.

Toys and Children do not always mix well, each must learn to respect each others toys and realise what toy is theirs and what is not, never leave a child with a dog at any time without supervision. Make sure the dog knows the order of superiority i.e. Adults first Children next, dogs at the bottom of the pecking order.

Training your new Springer, you might find if helpful and enjoyable to join a local training group, your Springer is a lively dog that generally enjoys the company of other dogs, and enjoys learning to do new things. You might be able to progress to agility, fly ball or even gun dog training even if you do not want to actually go shooting, Most Springers need, and love to work at something, they are not couch potatoes, they have a very good active brain and need to use it constructively or quite often they can become destructive and defiant through boredom.

Leaving your Springer, start as you will be living your life normally, you have to go to places where he can not come, so don’t spend every minute of the day with him, leave him in a safe place with his bed, water and a toy such as a Kong, don’t make a great fuss about going, and when you return let him see or hear you are back but leave a few minutes before going to him and then greet him quietly, not making a great fuss.

Travelling with your Springer, there are a few rules which should be observed for safety sake, no dog should ever be loose in a car, never ever be allowed to put his head out of a window this can cause eye and ear problems, he can be hurt by passing hedges etc All dogs should travel in a dog crate, behind a dog guard, or on the back seat of a car wearing a correctly fitting dog seat belt harness, never loose, as if in an accident can be thrown forward, either hitting front seat passengers or be thrown through the windscreen.

Don’t forget you have help and advice at the end of a telephone line from somebody who has helped a lot of Springers to be rehomed. This is a new family member entering an established household, and so there are nearly always teething troubles, talk to someone about them, before the situation gets too bad. Quite often the solution is very simple when a different approach is used.

Remember there will probably be a “honeymoon “ period of about six weeks after which, having got the hang of his new routine he feels safe and secure in his new home he may start to push the boundaries! Step on this at the first sign and he will shrug his shoulders and say “Oh that did not work” and give up let it go and he will push harder until he feels he is boss!

Finally enjoy your new family member; you will hopefully have very many happy years with him, so is worth spending a lot of effort during the first few weeks in getting it right.

The Amended Dangerous Dogs Act came in on 14th May 2014 And applies to all dogs owners whether it be a Chihuahua, Cockapoo or Great Dane no matter what breed or size. The law has recently changed with regard to dog owner’s responsibilities and a dog no longer has to actually bite but may be deemed as dangerous if a person feels threatened by your dog, for instance jumping up at a person, Gardens, make sure a visitor can approach your front door without having access to the dog. For more details please go to the government site regarding the Dangerous Dog Act with the amendments.

Dog ownership is a great responsibility and should not be entered lightly, however by observing the new law means everyone can be safe, and be happy with their pet and avoids being in a position nobody wants to be in.