>>Hi, all. We have a 11 week old female cocker. She's a real sweetie and has settled in quite nicely. She even sleeps right through the night (she hasn't learned about sleeping in on weekends yet).
>>My question is how long should we expect house training to take. We take her out every hour or so and she usually does something out in the yard but if we don't take her out she will just squat where ever she is and go pee. We would like her to 'tell' us when she has to go outside. We never scold her for going in the house so maybe she thinks it is OK. Are we expecting too much too soon or should she be able tell us when she needs to go. We've had her for three weeks now.
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>>Our last cocker was 14 when we lost her last year so its been a long time since we have had a puppy.
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>>Thanks for any help...
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>>Gregg & Holly
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Yeah, you're expecting too much. Cockers don't have the greatest bladder and bowel control, even at adulthood. Many dogs can never manage to ask to go out every time they need to, and it's especially tough for puppies--they can't wait long enough to get your attention, persuade you to stop what you're doing, wait until you get them outside, etc. I keep my dogs on a schedule instead. For an unhousetrained dog, at least once per hour during all the times you are at home and awake. With a Cocker pup you may also need to get up in the night and take her out.
Definitely don't scold or punish. This is a sensitive, submissive breed, and submissive urination can so easily become a problem with a Cocker. Keep it positive. Give her rewards for pottying outside. Go out there with her every time for now. Be patient. This breed makes up in sweetness for some of the physical problems.
Also it's time to be talking to your veterinarian about when to do her first visit to a professional groomer. Find a GREAT groomer (this will not be at a large petstore) and stick with that person. They will teach your dog to calmly accept grooming. Some Cocker folks don't realize when they get this breed in puppyhood that these dogs will require professional grooming. Start young to give her the best chance of learning to handle it with a minimum of stress. And never use a groomer based on bargain rates. She needs a great groomer and she needs this person consistently. They will become an important person in her life.
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Kathy Diamond Davis, author, "Therapy Dogs: Training Your Dog to Reach Others," 2nd edition, and the free Canine Behavior Series at www.veterinaryforum.com
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