Hi,

I have recently given a home to an 8 week old English Springer Spaniel puppy, I would greatly appreaciate some advice regarding feeding, sleeping, exercise habits yada yada yada.

I would like to know how much it should eat in 24 hours, and do they tend to sleep more as pups as I know these dogs are real live wires.

Also what do you feel is the best way to house train them in terms of toileting.

We also own a 8 year old King Charles called Rudy who has really taken to Sam, bar if Sam decides he wants Rudys food too!

I have always had a fascination and love for Springers as they have real characters, totally mad, never really grow up and boundless energy.

Hi Guest

My first piece of advice would be to continue on the feeding regime set by the breeder who SHOULD have given you this when you picked up Sam! However, maybe you didn't get this, for one reason or another.

Am I correct in assuming that you are in the US? If so, food advice is more difficult, because, apart from Eukanuba, I'm not sure what is available to you! Anyway, here is the feeding regime that I send out with my Aussie pups (who are not going to be much different in size to an ESS:
At eight weeks my puppies were eating three meals a day: at 7.30.a.m., at 1.p.m., and at 6.30.p.m. The morning meal comprises 1 small cupful of Professional Choice puppy food, with 1 spoonful of live yoghurt, the lunchtime meal is 1 small cupful of Professional Choice puppy food with about 3 oz minced chicken or turkey, and the evening meal is the same. They then have two or three biscuits before going to bed, together with a spoonful of live yoghurt! They always have fresh drinking water available.

Immediately after feeding, take the pup outside to relieve himself. TIP: first thing in the morning LIFT HIM UP and take him outside - he's more likely to start to pee once his little feet feel the ground :) (ok - it doesn't always work & I've had the wet tops to prove it:D). Once he has relieved himself, praise him and fuss him - tell him what a clever boy he is!

After he has had his meal, he will play for a little while and then just crash out! Remember, he is only a baby, and babies do need lots of sleep. Give him some play time before each meal and try and get him to stand, or sit, before giving him his meal - it's an early way to start training!

Most important thing of all - ENJOY HIM!

Regards
Margot

Hi,
I have 2 springers and I can they are the cutest puppies in the world, prepare to have your life turned upside down!!!!
If you don't want your cav to get annoyed try and feed them apart, it means your puppy will not rush his food so much because he does not have any competition and it gives Rudy the time to enjoy his dinner in peace, best to get the good manners in now because once your springer gets bigger he will become more of a pest. Get your puppy out and about as much as you can, carry him until he has had his injections so that he gets some socialisation and fun, the more he meets people etc. at this age the better. Start your recall training NOW, call him and reward him whenever you want him because recall will be a problem if you leave it to long - life is soooo exciting for a springer puppy and they can become deaf to your calls whenever they want. A puppy crate would be a good idea because springers love a den to sleep in, it would help with your toilet training as well.
I am jealous because I want a springer puppy again ( I have forgotten all the mischief already!!) Don't be to quick to judge him as a live wire, if you treat him like your cavalier he will be OK, they go nuts when people encourage nutty behaviour when they get their puppy, these same people then complain when they have crazy springers.

Congratulations on your new puppy. Ia lso have 2 springers and they are gorgeous when young but i do feel it is down to how they are brought up as to how live they are. Our male is very laid back and plods around our farm all day and always has, yet our girl is a maniac and totally addicted to balls or anything else she can find for us to throw!!!!! I have to say mine have never been great eaters but i stuck to what the breeder advised and then changed after about 3 months when they would not eat at all. And yes mine could sleep for england at 8 weeks!!!!

Love Brinny

I echo what everyone has just said.your breeder should have told you what to feed when you collected Sam.I always write down feeding instructions when mine go as people tend not to listen when they come to fetch their pup.My springer pups were on Beta puppy and were having 4oz (soaked) three times a day.
I also have cavaliers as well
If you want to e-mail me for springer advice feel free to do so
thelushones@aol.com

I have 5 springers and absolutely adore them all, the girls (2) are very laid back but the boys (3) are real live wires especially my Sam (9months) who loves playing with a ball which he will carry around all day if you let him. One of my boys is nearly blind but copes really well following his litter brother around.