First time Cocker Spaniel owner :)

Christin

Christin

New Member
Owned by
1 cocker
Hi everyone!

I have had my cocker spaniel puppy, Lilly since June of this year.

A little background:
I grew up with a English Springer Spaniel and a Sheltie. My roommate and I had a beagle our senior year in college (she was the owner) and I had potty trained the puppy along with leash and crate, since she was on clinicals and away a lot.

I have a question for all of you experienced Cocker Spaniel owners; do they eventually outgrow peeing when they get real excited meeting people? I have been told by people at a specialty pet store that she never will :/

Also, she seems to not like going #2 outside when it's raining or if she doesn't like the weather (windy, thunder, etc.) ..instead she goes in my kitchen! I've been working with her since I got her, but she is being much more difficult than other dogs I've trained.

Any advice for working with this breed would be greatly appreciated!
 
Hi Christin and welcome. Since you are new here, your posts will be moderated for awhile.
As far as your problem, some puppies do outgrow it and some don't. Do you know if the puppy's parents had that problem when you met them or not? If so, it's less likely your pup will outgrow, but not impossible. As far as you helping the puppy get over it if it's not a medical issue isn't easy but it can be done. When ever you first come home take the pup directly outside WITHOUT petting, strong eye contact, or a lot og greeting or talking. For instance just say the phrase 'Let's go outside go potty.' then after the deeds are done then greet/praise puppy. Also before company comes over take puppy out to do business and tell company when they come in to practically ignore the pup and let him/her come to them on own terms. Being on the puppy's level is also a lot less threatening to pup. The more self confidence and exposure to new things you can provide the better. Be positive and praise pup often.
Just some ideas.
 
I'm sure yours will outgrow it. When Gabby was a puppy he piddled everytime I came home from work. He outgrew it. My cocker Hoshi didn't have that problem. Really, it didn't make for bad memories. It just reminds me how cute Gabby was when he was a puppy. Do you go out with your puppy when she goes potty or just lead her out? With Hoshi I got it timed out pretty well. I know after he's eaten his dinner and has a full belly he will be ready to potty soon. I take him out about 30 minutes after he's eaten and sure enough he does his potty.
 
Good to hear! She has the excitement issues the most when we go to pet stores when strangers come up. I've taken her back to my college to visit friends and stay, and she never had the piddle issue there, but everytime in the pet stores when approached.

I usually go out with her unless our other dog goes outside. She's fine with doing her business outside as long as the weather is calm it seems. I've been taking her out every hour or two, usually a 1/2 hour after she eats then in hour or two increments until she goes in her cage when I go to work or sleep.
 
I wasn't able to meet the parents when I bought Lilly, we met half way from each of our cities. The pet store specialist suggested I work with a trainer to over come this issue, is that really necessary? - would taking her with me more and exposing her to more social situations (other animals/people) help? My first thought was maybe it was a confidence issue where she may feel insecure when exposed to new people..
 
I would wait and see if she outgrows it first or not and do expose her to as much as you can and build her confidence. She's being submissive when she does this it sounds like. If you think in the future it's a problem then you can explore your options further.
 
How about coaxing her out in the rain with treats? Maybe if she associates the rain with something pleasant she'll be less reluctant to potty in the rain. Hoshi waits at the door sometimes to go out and I know it's for treats. I give him treats everytime I take him out. My wife doesn't like that though.
 
Pumpkin use to do the same thing peeing a little when people will come up to her. Probably the first year. Now she doesn't do it anymore. She won't go outside to do her business if she doesn't like the weather. She will hold it as much as she can. But I never had problems with her going inside the house.
 
Hi Christin! Welcome to MCS. My Simon piddles in excitement/submission, but ONLY if I don't walk him before company comes over. If you mostly have this issue at the pet store, I would recommend doing what I do- have Lilly potty outside in the designated area before going inside. Or if it's an issue at home, just before you expect your company to arrive. A little TLC and preventative measures can eliminate the problem. :)
 
Sounds like what my Chase did as a puppy, submissive peeing. Fortuanately as he grew and gained confidence he no longer does that. We have another little girl who does it from fear, that is a whole nother story. She is much better now but will still go if really scared by something.
 
Submissive peeing isn't just a cocker thing; we used to know a big pit bull that piddle whenever he saw Nicholas! His poor human's male ego was a little bruised to see his big, scary looking dog cave in to my little cocker :wub:
 
deborah said:
Submissive peeing isn't just a cocker thing; we used to know a big pit bull that piddle whenever he saw Nicholas! His poor human's male ego was a little bruised to see his big, scary looking dog cave in to my little cocker :wub:
Click to expand...
OH! :lol::lol::lol:
 
That is funny, make me giggle this AM. Our first cocker "Nick" was the king and chased a german shepherd out of the yard once, I was amazed the big dog turned tail on little Nickie. I finally gave up on forcing Butch to go #2 in the rain. I have piddle pads I put on the porch during those times and he is quite happy with that arrangement, maybe its not the right thing to do, but its not bad behavior and I'm OK with it. He has gotten over the piddle in the house when Mark and I come in no matter
if we great him with enthuisiam or not, but if someone else is with us, we need to get him outside first thing.
 
Lilly's getting a lot better with doing her number 2s outside now that I only give her treats when she does her business outside.
 
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