Kennel for Springer - Advice Please

[Mossdog 27]

After 3 seasons of beating, I have finally agreed to have a springer. I collect my puppy in 3 weeks' time and I am still undecided about the bets living arrangements: each time I make up my mind, someone comes along and says, "oh no - you shouldn't do that...."

 

What sort of kennel arrangements do other people have? What works well - and what might you do differently if you have the chance to start again from scratch?

 

I was thinking of an enclosed area, with a plastic bed plus some Vetbed, with a pop-hole to a covered run and doors both from the enclosed area and from the run out into a securely-fenced, flagged yard of about 30 feet x 30 feet.

 

I already have a dog, who sleeps in a back porch that opens onto the yard, but he is indoors (albeit only with the run of his porch, the conservatory and the kitchen) because he has arthritis. I was planning to let the pup into this area after their joint walks for an hour or so in the evening. I want to walk them once a day together, but train them separately in addition.

 

I'm starting to worry a bit, because I get along fine with my neighbours, who say they never hear my existing dog when he's left - but one neighbour is particularly vocal if she thinks someone is being noisy and I am expecting the puppy to cry and howl a fair bit until she realises this is her new home - she isn't abandoned and she might as well chill out. I know everyone's definition of 'reasonable' ammount of noise differs - but I can't be the only person to keep a dog outside who has neighbours.

 

I really want to make a good job with this little bitch, because she will be the first gundog I've ever trained. My dog I already have is trained in protection work, and as such he plays a lot of tuggy and grabby-type games, which I don't really want the springer thinking it's okay to join in with!

[bullmastiff 615]

When I had a Springer, we used to keep him in a kennel outside, we converted a small garden shed into a Kennel by cutting a 'pop' hole in the side and then building a smaller sleeping area inside it. All we did was screw batons to each side wall and slide planks down between them as a front then a thick sheet of plyboard rested on brackets as an internal roof (to keep the heat in the bedding area during winter). His main bedding was straw but we also put a piece of carpet on the roof of the internal box which he spent most of his time on.

I guess the size of the run depends on the amount of the room you have and amount of time the dog will spend in it. If she'll be out most of the day then a only a small run s needed just to left the dog relieve itself but if it's only coming out twice a day then it will need room to stretch it's legs a bit.

If your concerned about the puppy whining then it can be a good idea to send a blanket to the breeders to pick up the scent of the litter. Warm a brick in the oven then wrap it in the blanket. Also playing a radio quietly can help.

[poacher3161 1,766]

Wat you have suggested should do fine.I have had springers for over 25 years and not one has been a nuicense in the kennel barking and whineing i have found them quite outside dogs if their exersised and worked regular and they dont become bored.atb dell

[Mossdog 27]

Wat you have suggested should do fine.I have had springers for over 25 years and not one has been a nuicense in the kennel barking and whineing i have found them quite outside dogs if their exersised and worked regular and they dont become bored.atb dell

 

She moved in a fortnight ago! I went for a wooden kennel with sleeping and small covered area and quite a big run. So far, she's been very good, with just a bit of noise when she's first left - which I ignore and she packs it in after about 2 minutes. She's had some trips in the car, with the older dog and settles really well.

 

All in all, I'm really pleased with her. She's very bold and inquisitive and getting bigger by the day...but I have another question..

 

I've had mixed advice about exercise and feeding. Exercise ranges from a cautious '5 minutes per month of the dog's life' to 'let them bomb around as much as they want, because the best way to build strong, healthy limbs is to use them'. The people who advocate limited exercise are the ones who also say that puppies need 'puppy' food and then 'junior' food up to 18 months old and that puppies should be fat and chubby. The other group say that she should go onto adult food much sooner, because puppy food is just mega-protein rich and creates big, fat pups who have grown too fast and therefore do put extra stress on their joints.

 

I did puppy walk a foxhound a couple of years ago and was warned NOT to let her put on weight, because she needed to keep weight off her limbs. She was what pet owners would definitely call skinny for a pup, but had the most brilliant, strong, solid legs.

 

So, 2 totally opposite views and both from people whose opinions I generally have a lot of time for! Fom what I've seen of puppies, they are pretty much self-regulating as far as exercise goes and spend the day bombing about, followed by crashing out.....and then start all over again. From what I can gather, the advice is either to protect the joints by feeding a moderate ammount and allowing them to build up muscle by playing and running - compared to stuffing the pup full of protein and fat to keep it big and chunky and then protecting it's limbs from the extra weight by restricting exercise. So - both aim to protect the pup's limbs, but in different ways.

 

I've had a few dogs, but this is the first ever really young puppy (since I was 6 years old!)

[poacher3161 1,766]

I wouldent over do it with the proteine and mine used to get plenty of exersise as pups with no ill affect though like any other dog its not wise to exersise shortly after feeding.

[spec 45]

I'd agree with what you've said yourself about exercise- pups do tend to be self regulating, as well as being much harder to break than we think they are. Don't panic! I wouldn't worry too much about 'formal' walks of a certain amount of miles whilst she's young, just concentrate on interacting with her, playing and stuff, she'll exercise herself that way.

 

'junior' food is a load of b*llocks invented by pet food companies, IMO. My dogs have always had 4/3 meals a day of puppy food when they're really little, but have certainly been phased on to adult food by 6 months. If you're feeding something decent quality there really isn't that much difference. I knew a girl once who was still feeding her ESS 'junior' at 2 and couldn't understand why it was such a mentalist (I can understand how this would be different if you had a breed that was going to grow massive, as obviously they'd need puppy food for longer, but with something like an ESS they're generally the size they're going to be by 6 months, bar a bit of filling out.)

[Mossdog 27]

Thanks Poacher & Spec - sounds totally sensible to me (and I'm glad someone else thinks 'junior' food is a big fat scam!

 

I don't want to become one of those awful dog-worriers who goes around analysing their dog's diet and questioning what everyone else feeds their dogs - especially as my older dog lives on chicken wings and scraps and whatever free samples I pick up if I'm out and about...He landed on my doorstep aged 7 months though, so I just wanted to double-check the puppy angle, in case I had got it all wrong.

 

Hopefully, if all goes to plan, I'll be pestering you about training soon....She's my first ever gundog and I'm enjoying every second: it's something I've wanted to have a go at for years and I've been lucky to get landed with a really confident, friendly and eager to learn puppy (although springer-types tell me they are all like that?!!) They key with her (I think) is to build up very slowly and make absolutely sure I'm in control and the brakes work 100%. If I don't screw it up, she'll be awesome ..............if the brakes work!

[spec 45]

no worries fella, sounds like you've got all the right ideas- you're spot on with getting the brakes 100%. enjoy her, spaniels are a lot of fun, and keep us updated with her progress