Well, we recommend that you begin as soon as you get him home - the sooner the better!
We suggest you consider setting up a daily dog care routine for your Cocker Spaniel puppy around the following activities:
Sleeping - An Important Part Of Any Puppy Care RoutineVery young puppies will sleep quite frequently during the day, but will begin to need less sleep as they grow older.
However, during those first few months, sleeping will be an important part of any puppy care routine.
It's advisable to get into the routine of putting your puppy into his crate after he's been groomed, or after playtime followed by gentle cuddles, as this will help to calm him down and get him off to sleep.
Your puppy may fall asleep in your lap, but if he doesn't, gently place him in his crate and leave him; he'll soon fall asleep. Learn how to crate train your puppy.
Check on your puppy frequently, if he wakes, take him outside to his toilet area, and don't forget to praise him if he does the business!
For information and advice on how to get through your puppy's first night, click on this link.
Puppy Care Routine - Potty Training
Each time your puppy wakes, take him outside to his toilet area. However, if he has already wet or soiled his crate, please don't scold your puppy - you weren't there to let him out.
Stay with him until he's done his toilet, praise him, and then bring him inside. You may need to do this several times a day, usually hourly, whilst potty training your puppy.
Puppy Care Routine - Puppy Feeding
Feeding your puppy with healthy dog food right from the start is vital if he's to grow strong and healthy.
Incorporate feeding into your puppy care routine and don't be tempted to feed him in between meals - treats given as a reward for puppy obedience training should be the only exception here.
If your puppy's bones are to grow strong and he's to develop into a fit and healthy adult dog, we need understand the importance of dog nutrition and how it plays a large part in your puppy's development.
Always follow the breeders feeding instructions, and make sure your puppy has fresh water available in his bowl each day.
Feeding usually stimulates your puppy's bowels, so you may need to take him outside to his toilet area again.
Follow this link for information and advice about feeding your puppy.
Handle Your Puppy As Part Of His Puppy Care Routine
Puppies who are handled often become better socialised than those that are not; pick up and cuddle your puppy frequently so that he becomes used to being handled.
Spend some time talking to him; stroke him and say his name to familiarise him with the sound of your voice and his own name.
Examine and touch all areas of your puppy frequently; eyes, ears, mouth, teeth, bottom and bits, tummy button, and paws.
Frequent handling of these areas will help your puppy become accustomed to touch; this will assist your vet greatly when examining your puppy, or in an emergency situation.
Socializing your puppy is a very important part of any puppy care routine.
Puppy Playtime As Part Of Your Puppy Care Routine
All puppies need the mental stimulation that play-time offers, otherwise they may get bored and begin to chew and destroy objects around the house.
If you catch your puppy chewing on something you don't want him to chew, simply exchange it for one of his chew toys. Don't scold your puppy - he's too young and won't understand your change in tone.
If your puppy frequently chews on things he shouldn't, follow the link to learn 10 great tips on how to stop your puppy chewing.
After a playtime, take your puppy to his toilet area and stay with him for a few minutes before bringing him in. Click here for information and advice on playtime with your puppy.
Puppy Care - Grooming Your
Cocker Spaniel Puppy
Begin grooming your puppy from day one.
When setting up a puppy care routine for your Cocker Spaniel care should be taken to ensure that a gentle grooming regime is started to acclimatise your puppy to the grooming process.
This way your puppy will get used to the feel of the brushes and combs, to being handled, and it will ensure your puppy's coat stays clean, tangle-free, and shining.
Puppy Care Routine
Bathing Your Puppy
Your puppy will need to be bathed from time to time, depending upon where he plays, where he's walked, and how dirty he gets.
It's best to acclimatise him to the process while he's still a young puppy.
If you leave it until he's a fully grown dog before bathing him, you may be in for a diffcult time!
Learn how to ensure your puppy enjoys his bathtime!
Make Brushing Your Puppy's Teeth Part Of His Puppy Care Routine
Whilst it's important to keep your puppy's teeth clean, the practicality of brushing his teeth may not always be straight forward - anyone who's ever tried to brush their dog's teeth will know what I mean!
However, if you take a gentle approach to getting your puppy used to having his teeth brushed he will learn to sit quietly for you.
There are a selection of soft puppy toothbrushes and specially formulated puppy toothpastes, available in most good pet stores.
Don't consider using a toothbrush meant for humans as the bristle may be too hard.
We recommend you start as early as possible so that your puppy gets used to his teeth being brushed as part of his normal routine.
There are other alternatives to brushing your dog's teeth, but we would recommend that you use them to supplement your dog's dental care.
You can buy toothpaste that only needs to be put into the dog's mouth; no need for brushing - although I'm not sure how effective it is.
Dry dog food is kinder to their teeth, and there are dental sticks and chews available which are designed to keep your dogs teeth clean and healthy. Our Cocker Spaniel has one a day; he loves them and his teeth are still looking pristine.
We really recommend you begin brushing your puppy's teeth as early as possible. At first, you may need to persevere, but once you and your puppy get used to it, you'll wonder what all the fuss was about!
Puppy Care: Socialising Your Puppy
It is very important that Cocker Spaniel puppies are socialised from birth.
The breeder will have already started that process; you should continue with this. I cannot stress how important socialisation is for your puppy.
Puppies that have been properly socialised will grow up to be well-adjusted and happy dogs.
Puppies who've not been properly socialised may become very timid or agressive, and develop behavioural problems later in life.
Puppies grow and develop quite quickly between six and eight weeks; their little personalities are beginning to show through, and they're beginning to explore their surroundings with confidence.
It's important that they are encouraged to explore their environment, and should be given exposure to everyday household appliances such as vacuum cleaners, hair-dryers, washing machines, coffee grinders, and other domestic applicances, to accustom them to sudden noise, light and vibration.
Your puppy should be meeting many different kinds of people, such as small children, crying babies, men and women in uniforms, men with beards, people with umbrellas - the list is almost endless.
Learn more about socializing your puppy.
The above puppy care routine should be repeated three or four times each day, but as your puppy grows, and becomes fully potty trained, he'll only need the puppy care routine once each day.
You'll need to use your own judgement on this one as puppies are individuals and have different rates of development.
If you're in any doubt about your puppy care routine, you should contact your veterinary or veterinary nurse.
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How To Train A Puppy
