Dog's Name & Age
Prinny - 14 months
In a Word, My American Cocker Spaniel Is…
Sweet
Best Characteristics of the Breed
Protective, loyal, eager to please, playful and of course, sweet
Most Challenging Characteristics of the Breed
Sneaky, mischievous and sheds a lot
When, Where and How I Got My American Cocker Spaniel
I've never had a pet dog before, having been a cat person most of my life. So I was excited about my first dog, Prinny, who I adopted as a puppy. I did a lot of research on dogs in general before getting her and decided that the best breed that I'd get along most with is a sensitive Cocker spaniel.
I'd Describe My Dog As…
From the get go, Prinny was a sweet and snuggly little fur ball who followed me around and cuddled next to me whenever I sat. She responded to her name right away when called and quickly learned to play catch and "sit like a lady". It was easy teaching her to go "down" and "up" (from the bed/couch) and of course the word "no".
What challenged me the most was housebreaking her. She tends pee/poop at odd times so it's hard to know when to take her outside. Until now she's still doing her business indoors but on a "training pad" I change twice a day.
Prinny can be such a sneak. She helps herself to your food when you're not looking if you leave it carelessly within her reach, but then she'll be quick to drop it if you catch her and say "no".
It's always hard for her to see me leave. She would watch me get ready with really sad eyes and watch me through the bay window until I disappeared. She would just sit there by the window all day, mope around and wait for me to come back, then dance around my feet the moment she sees me.
Somehow Prinny can sense my moods. She celebrates with me when I'm happy by jumping around along with me, and whimpers and snuggles close when I'm down. On normal days with the family, she's content to just settle down anywhere where she should keep an eye on me.
Advice
- Cocker spaniels are only good with children IF they are trained and exposed to them as puppies
- They have a protective streak and gets whiny and panicky if they see something "bad"is happening to you
- they shed A LOT... EVERYWHERE, so groom them well and clean more often
- Be authoritative with Cocker spaniels while they're young so they will grow up respecting you as the "boss"
- "NO" is an important command, your couch, electronic cables and slippers will thank you
- hitting a "sensitive" Cocker spaniel (or any dog for that matter) is a DON'T, they get even more afraid and in turn, get nippy in defense
