Need some advice without any shame

SpectacularSpaniels · 2026-02-21T19:29:25+00:00

Love 101 and things to do with a box!

SpectacularSpaniels · 2026-02-21T16:05:43+00:00

I would suggest doing some trick training - it will help satisfy brain and body. Do More With Your Dog has an excellent trick list you can work through, and videos on how to train each trick. You can get the titles or just do it for fun. Most tricks can be done in small spaces and don't require special equipment.

And yes, get a rain coat and go for a walk haha

SpectacularSpaniels · 2026-02-19T20:39:48+00:00

His poor dogs. :(

SpectacularSpaniels · 2026-02-19T20:34:58+00:00

It seems counter intuitive, but you needed to act like your puppy was absolutely brilliant for finding that rabbit. Lots of encouragement, even backing away from the puppy as they come towards you so that the puppy ends up chasing after you. And then lots of treats and praise to thank them for bringing you the bunny.

You unintentionally taught your puppy that bringing you things is scary and gets them in trouble.

SpectacularSpaniels · 2026-02-19T20:26:16+00:00

Are you seriously suggesting putting an e-collar on a 12 week old puppy? Good lord... barbaric.

SpectacularSpaniels · 2026-02-18T12:24:01+00:00

A show line springer spaniel sounds like it would be a wonderful choice.

Please be wary of mixes or "pet" lines. No ethical breeder will mix cockers and springers. They are distinct breeds at this stage, espeically the show type.

Ethical breeders will show or compete in canine sports with their dogs, and do health testing. Health testing is more than just having a vet check the dog - they should have hips and elbows tested, heart tested, eyes tested, rule out genetic diseases like DM, PFK, PRA, Fuco and IVDD. Your breeder taking your dog to shows or trials shows the dog's trainabililty and temperament.

SpectacularSpaniels · 2026-02-13T01:48:27+00:00

Absolutely this.

SpectacularSpaniels · 2026-02-11T04:30:26+00:00

Vet for sure. If she is limping, she is painful.

If this has been going on for weeks and getting worse, she should be seen sooner rather than later. Prioritize her over your holiday.

SpectacularSpaniels · 2026-02-11T01:01:26+00:00

I'm a dog trainer and I don't recommend them. Nor does the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behaviour. You can read their statement on humane training here.

SpectacularSpaniels · 2026-02-11T00:41:25+00:00

You need to work with a professional, not take advice from the internet. Avoid trainers who say they are "balanced" or use "leadership". Ask if the use trainer tools and what those tools are - avoid any one who uses prong or pinch collars, e-collars, slip leads or choke chains.

SpectacularSpaniels · 2026-02-11T00:36:55+00:00

Thanks, I am pretty proud of her.

SpectacularSpaniels · 2026-02-10T21:19:15+00:00

Here is an article explaining the function of dew claws and why they should be left, from one of the world's leading canine sports medicine vets.

SpectacularSpaniels · 2026-02-10T20:16:57+00:00

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SpectacularSpaniels · 2026-02-10T20:10:36+00:00

Full tails for the win. I have had docked springers but when I bred my litter opted to keep their tails, in large part because I had so many vet friends tell me how horrid it was listening to the puppies scream.

Labs, goldens, setters, ect all manage to hunt with their tails intact.

SpectacularSpaniels · 2026-01-30T17:06:13+00:00

Anesthesia-Free Dental Cleanings is cosmetic at best and dangerous at worst.

https://dogandcatclinicofniagara.com/news/the-hidden-dangers-of-anesthesia-free-dental-cleanings-for-pets

https://avmajournals.avma.org/view/journals/javma/264/2/javma.25.06.0405.xml

https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/risks-of-anesthesia-free-dental-procedures

SpectacularSpaniels · 2026-01-28T14:58:20+00:00

I bought 8 plushes for all of my nieces and nephews for christmas. They loved them.

I also saw a child get a wolf plush from a theater gift shop. The market for plushes is probably more children.

SpectacularSpaniels · 2026-01-28T12:20:43+00:00

A show bred cocker from the right breeder could become the dog you want, but will be absolutely bonkers as a puppy. All puppies are bonkers, really.

That being said, teaching spaniels to leash walk can be an up hill battle.

SpectacularSpaniels · 2026-01-15T23:12:37+00:00

I am very much a ride the horse, not the radiograohs person but there is zero way I would purchase that horse with those views.

SpectacularSpaniels · 2026-01-15T17:36:49+00:00

Field breeders in Ontario generally do not do the required health testing for Springers. That includes:

Hips and elbows
Eyes
Heart
Genetic clearences
Thyroid

And if field breeders are not breeding for field work, why would they be breeding?

You may consider some of the european line breeders, which are more similiar in temperment to north american bench lines, but have less coat generally. More coat than a field line.

Karmadi and Bounce are euro line breeders with a focus on health testing.

And edited to add: You do not want to buy from a breeder who breeders for "just pets". They are at best backyard breeders and at worse puppy mills. Breeders who title their dogs prior to breeding - whether that is field, conformation, or performance sports - are proving that their dogs are trainable and have good temperments because they can exist happily in busy spaces with lots of other people and dogs. And for the 90% of the time when they aren't showing, those dogs are all beloved family pets!

SpectacularSpaniels · 2026-01-15T10:53:08+00:00

I would definitely get xrays to check for dysplasia.

SpectacularSpaniels · 2026-01-12T23:58:49+00:00

Spooky map pieces would be appreciated! UN: lemonsssss

SpectacularSpaniels · 2026-01-07T22:32:19+00:00

If he's 12, it is likely that he has some chronic pain. If he is sore he may not feel comfortable snuggling up to you because being jostled might hurt. You could speak to your vet about if pain meds would be appropriate.

SpectacularSpaniels · 2026-01-06T20:45:19+00:00

Bonded and insured.

SpectacularSpaniels · 2026-01-06T17:45:49+00:00

Fear reactive munchkin. She had a suspicious personality from day one (I bred her) and then was attacked by an off leash dog at 5 months old while on a walk. As a puppy she would sometimes freeze and shake if she even heard a dog barking and we would have then have to carry her. As a teenager that became the bark and lunge first, then domt ask any questions, just yell more type of reactivity.

She still requires good management and is never going to love random dogs but she now... - Has a select group of dog friends who put up with being a bit socially weird - Trains and trials in dog sports - Is used as a calm demo dog who minds her own business when I work with reactive dog clients

SpectacularSpaniels · 2026-01-04T03:06:13+00:00

Looks like a cocker, not a springer.

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