Diet, Exercise & Grooming ~ Kattery Kennels ~ American Cocker Spaniels

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Diet, Exercise & Grooming

Diets~
Selecting a food
Selecting a food isn't as easy as it seems. There are many types of feeding styles available
these days and then there is the products available. The most important thing is balance.
Dogs might be carnivores but they need more than just meat. Dog Food Manufacturers help
to take out some of the work to feeding a dog but it is also important to find a good dog food
that is balanced in its nutrients. After all we can eat MickyD's day after day and its a food but
is that the healthiest thing for us? It can be if we don't just eat Super Sized Burgers...
So many choices~ Which is right for me?
Read labels and find out what's in the food. I can't emphasize that enough to anyone.
Whether you are feeding dry kibble, canned food, feeding raw, cooking for your dog, find out
what is in the food. Allergies, skin issues, obesity, coat quality~ all are related to diet.
Cheap isn't always the way to go but neither is most expensive! Each dog is an individual and
thus has individual needs and preferences. I feed Iams ONLY because that is what my dogs
do well on and because it is balanced. If your dog isn't doing well on Iams find something that
works for you. (remember tho to make a gradual change as not to upset the digestive track of
the pup/dog)
If you have time to cook for your dog go for it! Just keep it balanced.
How to Feed
Most foods/programs have directions. Read them.
I use the free feed method with my adults because I like the idea that they can eat when they
are hungry and my lifestyle allows me to be there to provide them food when it runs out. I do
feed them in raised bowls (on a stand) because I don't like their ears hanging into their bowls
and getting messy. Others prefer to use "snoods" to cover their ears while eating. Again
decide what works for you.
How Much too Feed
Again most foods/programs have directions and reading them is the way to start. As a
pup/dog grows and gets older its needs are going to change. If you are using a manufactured
food younger pups/dogs need a puppy based formula as they need more protein and
nutrients as they grow. Senior Citizen dogs need a different diet too.
Exercise!
O NO! the dreaded E word! But it is an essential part of being healthy and also happy for a
pup/dog. As we did as children we need to run and play in order to learn and develop.

Indoors

Cocker Spaniels sometimes get the "zoomies" and race around the house in play. If

you have more than one cocker this can be fun to watch or an exercise in patience.

LOL if you aren't giving your pup/dog enough outdoor exercise it is going to do more

playing in the house.

Outdoors

I prefer to exercise my dogs outside every day so long as the weather and situation

makes it possible. Fetch the tennis ball is a favorite of the cocker spaniel, just ask most

anyone who owns one. I throw the ball and they chase it across the dog yard running

to be the first one to get it to bring it back and repeat the race again! Mine will do this

for at least an hour every day, sometimes longer. Some of the dogs get bored or tired

and take a break but they do join in again when ready.

My dog yard also has toddler toys in it like a slide and a tunnel and such. They will

often play amongst themselves when I am not there to throw the ball for them. The

more fun things you offer them (safely) the more fun they will have.

On a Leash

This is really the safest way to go outside of your own back yard.

Leash training can start at an early age and begins by getting our pup/dog use to having a
collar and then a leash on them. Don't slap on a collar hook on the leash and think you are
gonna go for a 5 Mile Jog right away. Imagine if someone did that to you and how you would
react. Instead reassure the pup/dog that its ok. Do it for a short while and then remove it. Do
it again a little while later and again encourage them to be ok with it. Add the leash and let it
drag around at first so the pup gets used to it. As that becomes more easily accepted by
them get someone to help you. Hold the leash and walk with them towards the other person
who is encouraging them to come to them. "Here boy/girl! Come one! Good boy/girl!" Please
and I can't emphasize this enough do NOT drag the pup/dog and force it.
Off Leash

NOT THE Safe way to go and not something I promote. You need to have a very
established relationship with a very smart and well trained DOG to do this. Even then I
feel it is a bad situation waiting to happen.

Dog Parks
Dog parks can be a good thing if you take some precautions and exercise
some common sense as well. Hopefully everyone in the dog park will do
the same thing as well and if so this can be a GREAT thing!

Please tho don't drag your new pup to a dog park without taking some things into
consideration.

Vaccinations. Does your pup/dog have them? Rabies is required by the law as of 4-6
months of age. The other vaccines are the ones that more than likely will prevent your
pup/dog from getting seriously ill and possibly dieing. I don't take my dogs near other
dogs until they are at least 6 months old and fully vaccinated.Do the other dogs have
them? I hope so if not the risk of your dog getting sick (even when vaccinated) has at
least doubled.
What are the rules/laws of your local dog parks? Most require your dog be at least
vaccinated for Rabies~ rabies can be transmitted to humans and thus the law is stricter
about them for Public Health and Safety.
Does my dog know how to play well with others? If your dog is unfamiliar with other
dogs it might be overwhelmed, it could be scared and it also could act agrressively with
the other dogs and a fight could erupt. I know pitbulls and big dogs have a reputation
of being agressive but it's been my experience they are usually the ones less so with
other dogs because they aren't intimidated. Smaller dogs tend to feel more insecure
simply due to the height of another dog. If you haven't socialized your dog (sometimes
even a training class is needed) than just dont throw the dog in there and think it will be
fine.
Leave a collar on the dog at all times! This is for safety reasons. Not only can you
identify your dog as yours (hopefully you have tags for it) but you can also grab the
collar of your dog and rescue it were a fight to happen.
NEVER EVER and I MEAN NEVER! leave the pup/dog unsupervised. A dog park
is not your private pet sitter where you can drop it off and go. Anyone who does this
with their dog is someone to avoid. You don't know their dog, their dog doesn't know
you or your dog. Animals are animals and biting, fighting is a reality.
Have your dog's license (if applicable) and vaccination history with you. Just in case a
fight does erupt be prepared to be accountable for your dog's part in it. Being able to
show the other dog's owners that your dog is vaccinated might save you from having
the police called or animal control. Also know how to reach your vet or an emergency
vet 24/7. Being prepared for the worst often saves you from going thru the
worst possible situation.

Grooming/Baths
I can't tell you exactly how often to bath your pup/dog. Too many variables to be able to even
try. Bath as needed, groom as needed. I give mine a bath/trim once a month, but I don't like
my dogs getting too long a coat and I let mine sleep in bed with me so I want them clean.
However that doesn't mean if it rains that day I am not gonna bath them as they aren't due til
next month LOL. You can actually over bathe your dog and especially during the winter
months when the heat is on dry the skin and coat out. Use a good product that is safe and
appropriate for your dog/pets age and health. Puppies need a milder shampoo than adult
dogs and flea/tick shampoos are some of the harshest! I tend to brush/comb my dogs at least
once a week. Some of them have less snarly a coat and it takes no time at all. Others have a
thick coat that likes to tangle. I usually do this while watching TV and at night as the dogs like
it and it settles them down for sleep time.
At home
If you are going to be grooming/bathing them at home please keep in mind some common
mistakes that I have come in contact with.

Not rinsing the shampoo all out.
Not combing the hair out once dry (I actually comb it as it dries). This can make tangles
that lead to knots that lead to mats that then have to be shaved out of the coat.
Letting the pup/dog drink the shampoo/water~ upsets their tummies and can lead to
diarrhea.
Letting the nails grow too long. Nails should not click on hard floors. It actually hurts
the pup/dog to walk on them if they are too long.

Routine
Whichever way you decide to take care of your pup/dog's grooming needs stick to a routine.
Regular maintenance goes a long way towards having a nice coat and well behaved happy
pup/dog.
Choosing a Groomer
Unfortunately not all are created equal and sadly not all pet industry people are animal lovers
of the same mentality as we are. I have worked with groomers that are abusive to animals and
even had 3 of my dogs groomed by one once when I did not realize she was that way. Find
someone that you can communicate well with. Ask other pet people (like your neighbors,
friends, vet, pet store) who they use and whether they like the service or not.
I've been grooming for over a dozen years now and I have NEVER had to hit a dog to get it to
behave. Ideally I would like to say that all owners start their dogs out young and in a routine
to be groomed and socialized but that isn't always the case but I still have NEVER had to strike
a dog to get it to cooperate. I may have had to use a muzzle or someone else to hold the dog
while I groomed and boy there are some unbehaved pooches out there but I have never ever
and would never tolerate anyone doing it hit a dog.
Find someone you like, trust and does a good job. If you don't like the results start by letting
them know and decide from their response whether or not to use them again. If you find a
good groomer hold onto them! LOL

Honestly when we left Phoenix the first thing I missed was my good groomer. She was great.
The 2nd groomer we used here in Kansas abused my dogs and one is still shy of strangers
and clippers over a year later. Even with my back injury I decided to go back to grooming
them myself because of this incident. I can tell the difference in the dogs I have raised here
as pups and started grooming myself to the older ones we have taken in that haven't been
treated right. It breaks my heart.

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