The Poultry Keeper

Auntie Katie · Joined: 27 Oct 2007 Posts: 435 Location: Cambridgeshire

Things are going really well with Ozzie, Wags has had a couple of grumbles over toys and I'm not sure the best way to deal with it. I want Wags to feel that he wont have his stuff just taken away from him (which Ozzie will do if given the chance) but don't want him to think that just by growling he'll get what he wants and I want Ozzie to know whats acceptable and whats not (and we are telling him) but do I tell Wags off for growling at him or do I just let them sort it out. Ozzie is trying to get Wags to play but he's a bit startled by it all at the minute.

Ozzie is also a food grabber, he's rushed across the front room and grabbed mouthfuls of Wagsy's dinner - Wags didn't seem to mind that much but think its because it happened so fast he didn't have time to react. Ozzie got told off and moved out of the room while Wags finished his. I'm going to try feeding some of Ozzie's dinner to him in a treat ball so he doesnt just bolt the whole lot down in hoover style.

He's going to be lovely but at the minute he has no manners what so ever! He's been a brilliant boy overnight. He was a good boy out on his walk this morning and they are both now asleep without worrying about the other which I'm taking as a good sign.

MaisytheDobe · Joined: 08 Dec 2007 Posts: 79

I just let mine sort out any disagreements over toys themselves, as i've got 3 dogs (2 bitches and a dog) its better not to interfere in the inital stages as it very rarely gets beyond a growl and a snap, and they have to sort their pack structure out. Wags giving a warning growl should teach Ozzie a few manners, as its rude of Ozzie to take toys of Wags when Wags has them.

As regard to feeding, and I feed raw, they're each given their own food in a bowl and a decent distance away from each other. What I do with each dog in the initial stages is when putting the food bowl down I say each dogs name, so they get the idea thats it their dish. The bowls go down in the same order every time so they learn a routine. Dogs shouldn't (if they've leaned doggie manners) go towards another dog while eating, once the dog as left its food (because the dog is full) then it should be okay for the other dog to finish the leftovers.

I think if it was my dog, until Ozzie's has learned some manners I'd feed in seperate rooms.

HTH, as I'm not a expert by any means, but it works for me and I don't get any fighting.

EGirl · Joined: 01 Nov 2007 Posts: 1322 Location: Dublin, Ireland

Delighted to see your new boy, Auntie Katie. He's just lovely. Greentree has a springer too, Ted, they're lovely dogs. I hope you are successful in training him. Kizzie is settling in well and becoming much more open and, well, bouncier! She's a devil for stealing food from plates etc, I have to keep a really close eye on her and the kids have lost many a treat to her. Toilet training is still a bit of an issue, but I've changed her feed time to morning from evening and that certainly helps.

I have my photographer friend booked for a couple of weeks time to take some 'action' shots of her. do post more of Ozzie. ex

Auntie Noo · Joined: 30 Jan 2007 Posts: 622 Location: Guildford

awww lookie at the lovely springer! Smile

At 2 years he'll just about be settling down enough to train well. (lots of working springers aren't trained until 18months +) Hope you are all very very happy together!

Auntie Katie · Joined: 27 Oct 2007 Posts: 435 Location: Cambridgeshire

Well, we have been trying really hard since yesterday to get on with "Ozzie" but its not working, he takes absolutely no notice when you call him or need to tell him off so after lots of talking and ummming and aaaahhing we've decided to change his name. Sad

/

We've gone through hundred of possibilities and looked at numerous baby name websites to get ideas (although I'd still like to meet the people who called their baby Bacon!! Shocked

).

We have finally decided on Timothy - or Tim, Timmy or Timbo! Very Happy

and he he seems to like it too, if he's playing and you call Timmy or Timbo he gets all excited but if he's being a stinker and you shout Timothy at him he looks all sheepish. Very Happy

Auntie Noo · Joined: 30 Jan 2007 Posts: 622 Location: Guildford

You could also try buying a whistle AK. Mine takes no notice of me calling, but three pips on her whistle and she's at my side in a flash. She also "stops" on a single whistle which is pretty useful. You may find he was trained that way before as he's a working breed??

Auntie Noo · Joined: 30 Jan 2007 Posts: 622 Location: Guildford

BTW! Someone once told me that you need a good sense of humour to own a springer spaniel. It was the best piece of advice i ever got!!!!

debcat · Posted: Fri Oct 03, 2008 6:15 pm Post subject:

was he named by the rescue place?
that would explain why he ignores ozzie
love the pics

Auntie Katie · Joined: 27 Oct 2007 Posts: 435 Location: Cambridgeshire

I think he has had several names before - they did say he used to be called JJ but he doesn't repond to that either.

He has been the most excellent boy tonight. Very Happy

He was shut in the kitchen to eat his dinner, so Wagsy Woo got to eat his in peace. Mum and Dad-in-law came round for a cup of tea and a left over wedding cup cake and Timmy was jumping all over the place so I told him no and made him sit in his bed, he stayed there until they were finished and then he was given a biscuit and let out. He did look a bit deflated but I think the message is getting through. He is sitting rather gorgeously with Lee at the moment while Lee is munching his way through a pile of KitKats and he's not batting an eyelid.

We've noticed just in the little while we've had him that he likes to snuggle up in the corner of the settee or out on a chair in the conservatory and behind the settee (which is Wagsy's spot) so we've cleared a corner of the living room, behind the door (which is glass panelled) and we went and got him a proper basket type bed today. He's been snuggled in there all afternoon.

He is just adorable, and it helps to have a sense of humour when you own a border collie so to be the proud owners of a border collie AND a Springer Spaniel its a good job that we both have a sense of humour. Very Happy

I am going to get him a whistle too, just so when the time comes he can get a bit more freedom.

milkmaid · Joined: 19 Apr 2005 Posts: 7424 Location: isle of lewis

sounds as if you are enjoying him ,i tend to let mine sort it out ,mag has no manners ,and bounces on the other dogs to get them to play ,pax doesn't do rolling around on the floor playing so stands up and grunbles ,shes stopped messing pac and shauna around now and wikk okay with north tells her enough ,so dogs are quite able to tell each
good idea changing his name Very Happy

,it sounds as if he's fallen on his feet Very Happy

MaisytheDobe · Joined: 08 Dec 2007 Posts: 79

I've started using a whistle with my dobe, she responds better to it as its a noise and is quite neutral so doesn't carry any tones like voice does. Mind you Amy the whippet has got the hang of the whistle quicker than Maisy.

Thought you might like to see a pic of Toby.

Toby was my parents dog, I lost them both earlier in the year, so Toby came to live with me. Its taken a little while for him to settle as he was also a rescue dog initially. The main problem with Toby is that he has never been taught to walk on a lead properly, but I'm getting there, and hes got a few attention seeking habits.

Sounds like your going to have some fun with him.