This website is a godsend!!  I'm bringing home my first ever puppy on Saturday - an 8wk old black Cocker Spaniel and while I have everything "material" ready for him and I have raised two 8 year old cats without any problems, I am starting to get very nervous and worried about the responsibilities of the pup.  I know that I am loving and affectionate, I don't work so I will be home all day to be with him and my husband and I can offer everything he needs so why am I worrrying?  Any advice to get me through those first few days would be helpful - especially how to settle him in and get him through the first few nights when I guess he will be very frightened. I'd love to hear from some experienced owners and there seem to be a lot of you out there!  Thanks SO much xxx

my advice:

enjoy him!!!!
&
have lots of fun - which im sure you will!

chel

you'll be fine ..have fun and enjoy your little one . you have us here for support and a good vet for the rest.....

Hi Guest

I think you've chosen the best breed of dog ever, but then I might be biased :-)  I've got two cockers - Morgan (gold) is just 2 and Cooper (blue roan) is 5 months.  Why don't you register and you can ask all the questions you want.  Don't be nervous about you're new pup's arrival, just have fun!!
You can also find out lots of info on cockers Here

Best of luck with your new addition

Shirley :-)

forget about the house being tidy! new pup will rearrange everything but will be good fun.  I would recommend making sure your computer cables (and others) are hidden from those inquisitive little teeth.. and he WILL pee on the carpet (no matter how you try to avoid it) so perhaps get some free carpet samples from a shop (some shops throw them out) and cover your own until you get him/her trained.  Remember too you are now Mummy & littermate so it will be following you everywhere, mind he/she doesn't get under your feet- very easily done.  I've a 13 week old Jack R (have him home 6 weeks now) and he's a sweet little pet, even allowing for him being a puppy! Right now he's asleep on my knee!  Oh and perhaps the breeder would have an old scrap of blanket that has been in pups bed to send home with it - the smell of his brothers and sisters is comforting.  I also double covered a hotwater bottle and wrapped it in same blanket. Good luck!
ps, don't expect to get anything else done for the first few days...I found it was lunchtime and I'd not even got to the shower!