Hi,
I was wondering if anyone out there owns an English Cocker Spaniel and has used Doggy Day care or dog walking services?
The reason I ask is I work 2 days per week and we the family want to have a Cocker but as I am aware they are very attached to the owner I was wondering if one would cope in doggy day care for the 2 days I'm at work. Our neighbour has also offered to look after the dog but they are elderly and I don't feel it's right to expect them to be there for those 2 days cover. Also, obviously in the beginning we'll have a pup so I have looked into puppy sitters to cover those 2 days.

I hope this is a good reminder to people selling puppies to workers.... when interviewing  a prospective buyer... factor in carers.

Cockers are friendly social dogs, so I don't see why they wouldn't have fun in daycare, assuming it's a good organisation which just have a few similar size and temperament dogs playing together and not a complete free for all! As they are such a popular breed I bet there are sadly loads in rescue if you wanted to go for an adult if you didn't want a puppy. Be aware there are show cockers and working cockers, completely different in looks and temperament. I wouldn't advise a working cocker unless you plan to do agility or gundog work or something with him!

I run a day care as such. Its not a big centre, I just have a few dogs in my home & I have to say that cockers & springers are frequent visitors here & they all love it. They love the interaction with other dogs & just doing something different to normal. I wouldn't think you would have any problems leaving your cocker at day care but do check out carefully where you will be leaving your dog. A licence is no guarantee that they are any good. There is a licensed one round here that I've never heard anything good about.

but as I am aware they are very attached to the owner I was wondering if one would cope in doggy day care for the 2 days I'm at work.

Most dogs are attached to their owner :-D but, some breeds are more velcro dogs than others, (guarding breeds in particular) Cockers are not one of such breeds, they are generally people and dog friendly and very social, as are most of the gundog breeds... so should not pine too much as long as they feel happy in their environment, as long as somewhere where given positive attention the pup/dog will be happy, so don't worry. ;-)

So pleased to see someone with a plan in place and putting a pup/dogs needs before their own, and actually thinking before they get one.

Please be really fussy about where your pup/dog goes though, and I wouldn't dismiss the elderly people next door, they are free to offer much love and fussing and a lot of attention, sound ideal really for a couple of days a week for a pup. :-)

> and not a complete free for all!

Yes, I have not long been for an interview in a place that has dogs in on day care. They have at least 20 & could be more, of all shapes & sizes running together!!!!

Even with all my experience, thankfully they didnt contact me to offer me the job... !!

My cockers love everyone so daycare should not be a problem. Just make sure that whoever looks after your pup is singing from the same hymn sheet re training ect. Constancy is imperative.

Cocker spaniels adore being with their human family, but are highly sociable and would be very happy in a quality daycare environment where they get a good balance of attention, stimulating mental play and exercise.
One of my pups went to a home in a similar situation to yourself. As I was aware he would be going to daycare twice weekly I helped the new family prepare a "manual" which covered every aspect of their puppy's requirements,the families expectations and routines. This ensured that whatever environment the puppy was in his training, socialisation, feeding, toileting (and everything else in between) was consistent. The owner of the daycare was also given my contact details so they could discuss any breed relevant questions they had. As his requirements changed, so did his routine, but everyone involved in Reggie's care "sang from the same hymn sheet", and still do.
He was enrolled in a highly recommended daycare and still attends there now aged two. Although old enough to cope with a dog walking service his family feel he benefits hugely from continuing in daycare as he enjoys experiences that he does not get within his home.
He is now eighteen months old. He is a well balanced, happy, confident individual who is a credit to both his family and the daycare facility. Most definitely a dog to be proud of. 

Thank you to all for the positive responses. I know it's an ideal world to be at home full-time but by working 2 days per week it allows me to afford to have one.

It's absolutely all about putting the dogs needs first and I am a bit prone to over analysing all the pros and cons to death that I think some people think I'm potty but I am all too aware of some people who go out and just buy any dog without having done an ounce of research before hand!
I met a guy in the park with his brand new cocker (show) puppy alongside an adult (working) cocker. So, I was all over the show type and asked him a million questions about where he bought him from etc and what I got back was a blank face. I asked him about if he got papers for the pup and his response was "oh you have to pay more if you want one with papers". Asked where did he buy him? A farm! Enough said!

My elderly neighbours next door are wonderful people and I'm so happy to have them. I would be more than happy for them to be involved and they have already expressed their interest in babysitting. It was only last week that the wife had a bit of a turn and wasn't herself but she is a trooper and kept it to herself even though I knew sommit wasn't right. So, that's really why I thought I should look at doggy daycare just incase it's maybe too much for them.

So pleased that you have researched and done homework. I, personally would be happy to sell you a pup even though I do not have any available, go for it. I too am potty about the breed, ignore the puppy farmers and get a puppy with both parents health tested and KC registered. Good luck in your search.

Just spoke to my neighbour about the possibility of puppy sitting for 2 days and although she said yes she also mentioned "cocker rage syndrome". I have read a little bit about it and I came to the conclusion that it's down to inbreeding and neglecting the needs of the dog? Is that right? Any advice on that would be helpful :)

IMO the vast majority (if not all) cases of 'cocker rage' are down to either medical problems such as hypothyroidism or epilepsy, or a behavioural problem down to poor handling/raising of the dog in question.  Often people will punish a dog for growling for whatever reason (e.g. over a chew, if the dog is hurt or just feeling unsure about proximity of someone they don't know, etc etc) and all that does is teach the dog that attempting to communicate is not a safe thing to do, so they hide their warnings; the triggers never get addressed and eventually, the dog simply becomes overstressed and snaps "out of the blue" and hey presto, it's got rage!  It drives me mad.

The best way to avoid, ahem, 'rage syndrome' is to raise the dog fairly, rewarding the good and either distracting from or ignoring the bad.  If the dog ever growls, look at WHY and address that, but do not punish it - remember that growling is a dog's version of 'I'm not comfortable with this, please stop/back off' and is actually designed to AVOID aggression.  This is where most people make the mistakes and create the problems.

Agree completely with Nikita, most rage reports never were, just bad training and handling, remember also that many breeds Cockers included are not tolerant of harsh training methods i.e being shouted at or spoken to harshly, they will shy away from such treatment and be frightened by it, (causing behavioural issues) granted some breeds need you to take charge as they are very independent, but even then should never be punished or shouted at, just shown an air of authority by our own body language, all breeds adhere to praise and calmness that is the key.

Cockers are as their breed states, 'happy and merry little souls' and should be treated with kindness and reward throughout training. I cannot tell you how many times I've seen sensitive breeds being shouted at.... breaks my heart, once saw a man screaming for his Cocker to recall, when it finally came back he smacked it, yes, that will make a dog recall.... **roll eyes** more likely to never return and continue to be smacked, until one day it bites and of course will be to blame...... :-(  the man got my tongue that day, I wish I could have taken the dog away from him..... but so much of this treatment goes on, so many people have no idea how to treat a dog.

When looking for a Cocker always make sure that the parents have good temperaments too, that is also hereditary. Goes to show Dungonnell, after your conversation with the man you met..... people are just clueless, the message does not get out about the importance of where to buy your pup from.

Wishing you all the best in your search and no doubt you will give a pup a wonderful home. :-)

Cocker rage Syndrome went out with the Ark. If you go to a reputable breeder who health tests the parents and socialises the puppies then you will not have a problem.
Any dog can suffer from "rage syndrome" it is all to do with correct breeding and socialisation.

When looking for a Cocker always make sure that the parents have good temperaments too, that is also hereditary.

Defo agree, although it does not mean that the puppies will be exactly like the parents temperament wise. One of my girls is a complete slapper and will go to anyone but her daughter is very wary of stangers.