[OurSpanishWaterDog]

We are due to collect our SWD puppy on Sunday!
I just wondered if anybody has any useful tips or anything they thought "I wish somebody told me about that" they could pass on?

We have done a ton of research but I'm sure there will be little things we discover that we didn't know!

Would like to be as prepared as possible!! We read Jax's Blog and thought it was a wonderful idea and have started one of our own to document his life!

Thanks in advance!

 

[Fleur]

Socialisation!!!!!
Best thing you can do for your pup - have a look at this site and follow the new owners plan
» New Owners The Puppy Plan

And of course we'll all need pictures

 

[Redice]

For Treats I found Fish4dogs training stars very useful. Healthy but small which I found ideal for a very young puppy. Had a pot full next to the back door for all those wee wee and poo rewards and being called back in.

ps. I like the look of your new blog, I shall be watching with interest.

 

[OurSpanishWaterDog]

Thanks for the tips! I have been told that a spanish water dog needs a lot mental stimulation and not to feed him from a bowl during his first 2 months at home as this will make him lazy and uninterested (and fat if we feed him treats).

We were planning to feed his daily allowance of food in ways that meant he has to work for it. Either in toys, or so he must search for it.

Any thoughts on this method?

 

[Phoolf]

Thanks for the tips! I have been told that a spanish water dog needs a lot mental stimulation and not to feed him from a bowl during his first 2 months at home as this will make him lazy and uninterested (and fat if we feed him treats).

We were planning to feed his daily allowance of food in ways that meant he has to work for it. Either in toys, or so he must search for it.

Any thoughts on this method?

Depends on how much food they need a day I would say, meals in kongs for smaller dogs seems to work fine but mine would need about 10 kongs a day for her daily allowance. With pups they need to eat 3-4 times per day as opposed to adults have 1-2 meals so breaking it up into stimulating meals and using food during training is a great idea.

I would also say to clicker train as soon as possible, it makes things so much easier and they pick up things much quicker.

 

[rona]

Only one I've seen out of a show ring was working on a shoot.

Absolute bundle of energy and although working fairly well it did it at 100 MPH

 

[dandogman]

Sit near his food bowl/kong/food toy and get him comfortable with you being near him he is whilst eating so food guarding doesn't become a problem. Stroke him and feed him treats. Take the food away for a few seconds and give him a special treat (chicken, cheese) as a reward for not making a fuss, then obviously give him the food back.
Good luck

 

[northnsouth]

I know for a fact they enjoy GSP and Dallie company... at least the 6 month old we met last week did... He was so beautiful too.. As I am sure your is. Pictures are required

 

[OurSpanishWaterDog]

Pics on the blog of him at 3 and 5 weeks!!!



ourspanishwaterdog.wordpress.com

 

[Redice]

Sit near his food bowl/kong/food toy and get him comfortable with you being near him he is whilst eating so food guarding doesn't become a problem. Stroke him and feed him treats. Take the food away for a few seconds and give him a special treat (chicken, cheese) as a reward for not making a fuss, then obviously give him the food back.
Good luck

I personally wouldn't practice taking the food away even if you add bits to it as it has been known to create food guarding but rather just add the bits to it.

 

[OurSpanishWaterDog]

Thanks for the advice so far!

We have had Max home now for almost a week and he is such a good boy.

Playful as you would expect and a bit nippy with feet but we are making progress.

He is highly intelligent, has learned to sit, paw, come, down, drop it & fetch in under a week! The only question I have is that he displays stalking behaviour on his toys.

He will stalk the ball and go dead still then pounce on it. Sould we try break this or is it normal?

Thanks

 

[briarlow]

How is your pup doing? I do not for one second understand the don't feed from a bowl quote? I've had the breed 20 years, always fed from bowls and never had a fat Spanish.

They are a wonderful, amazing breed in the correct home. Hope you have many years of fun. You said the mother is black and white? The grandfather of your pup may be a dog that I bred 11 years ago!