Couple questions I have.

I had my cocker, Bailey since he was 3mos old. He's now 8mos. old.

1. How long does it take for their hair to grow long? The way I see them in shows?

2. Crate. I have to keep him in his crate whenever I'm not in the room with him because when I leave he seems to get into everything he possibly can and CHEWS it completely up. I already have a doll, couch cushion, rug, 2 shirts, cord to my foosball table, the triangle for my pool table, all chewed to pieces. He's costing more money in things ruined than it was to buy him. Any ideas? Do they all act like this?

3. Potty training. He goes when I let him out, but when he's gotta go, he goes. So he has numerous accidents all the time. I take him out the minute I get him out of the crate and watch him go then let him back in. Not even 20min later, he'll poop on my floor. He hasn't had any pee accidents, so it's weird he just poops w/out letting me know in anyway. Ideas?

Hi Guest,
Welcome to the world of the American Cocker Spaniel.
The coat will be pretty much all grown in by the time your puppy is a year old. However, unless you are planning to show this dog, or you intend to spend an enormous amount of time on coat care, I would recommend that you have your dog professionally groomed and trimmed. There is no need to have the whole lot chopped off if you like a little feathering, but take it from me you will find that you have taken on a huge task to keep a pet Yankee in full coat. I have four Americans, two are in a short utility trim because there showing days are over. The other two are bathed twice a week and blow dried on a grooming table brushing the hair until completely dry. These sessions take about two hours for each dog. I also find that exercise has to be restricted up to a point. There is no way I could take the long haired ones through the woods every day, they collect leaves twigs blades of grass pine needles moss and heaven knows what else in the hair, every minute particle has to be removed by hand or we get the mother of all matts to contend with. Sorry to be so negative, but you have to realise what you've taken on. I doubt if there is a finer sight than a well prepared Yankee resplendant in full coat, but that comes at a cost.
I see no problem in crating your pup when you can not be there to supervise, but obviously not for hours on end on a regular basis. Mine are crated overnight. Is the pup clean and dry in the crate?
The dog will eventually cotton on to the potty training, keep on doing what you're doing. out after feeding, sleeping, first thing in the morning, last thing at night and as many times in between as neccessary. Good Luck
Dawn R.