cockergirl

But surely basic hygiene and the necessity of providing basic veterinary treatment (let alone urgent veterinary treatment) was not something that you had to learn AFTER you had decided to open a kennels? Of course new products etc. come out but here I'm talking about simply keeping things clean and hygienic and dogs kept clean and looked after to an acceptable standard and provided with vet care - not things that should require a lot of 'new knowledge' for someone in this position.

Of course everyone makes mistakes but when people put themselves in a certain position (e.g. a kennel owner) there are elementary things which you expect them to know about and get right every time (e.g. health and hygiene). Some mistakes are much more serious than others and if they happen over again then can they still really be called mistakes? For someone in this position to neglect such basic things in my opinion cannot be excused as a 'mistake'. I too have flaws and good intentions and plenty of them but I also know my own limitations and in things which I make myself responsible for I damn well make sure I know and remember the basic difference in what is and isn't acceptable.

I find that article horribly disturbing, in fact I couldn't even finish reading it I feel very sorry for those poor kids, as one of their own mothers said 'what's left for them?'... it's actually very sad. They're not having a childhood at all, adulthood lasts such a long time there is plenty of time for all that stuff but you only get a very short shot of being a child. I can't believe these little girls are worried about fake tan and waxing their legs, it really is sad

I've been following what I think you are referring to here as well and I totally agree with what you've said here about attitude. 'Good intentions' are no excuse in a situation like this, they don't say that road to hell is paved with them for nothing.

Just saw this, I'm so sorry Wendy Run free Poppy

Nope

Oooooh I have waaaay too many to choose really but I do love these ones... Rodaidh poopie Alfie doing what he loves And Princess Tilly My current favourites of Alfie and Tilly together Sorry.... I can't pick just one

Single Mum here Of the three of mine Alfie is the most devoted Mummy's boy, he will not sit with anyone else and although he'll go and say hello to people initially he won't go to anyone other than me for cuddles or even strokes. Tilly on the other hand is more wary at first but once she knows you she'll be all over you and will go to anyone she knows for cuddles. Rodaidh's just a baby at 6 months but is shaping up to be another Mummy's boy. He'll go to other people for strokes then change his mind and come running back and literally fling himself at me

How about this... working cocker heaven!! And this is my Alfie and Tilly; Baileysmom's Bailey and Harvey plus Crazyspaniels' working cockers Dobbie and Bilbo (black) and springers Willow and Paddy (liver and black and white)... yes we all live near each other! I'll stop now... if there's one thing I'm not short of it's photos of cocker spangles, I have millions!

I have contacted that rescue about that comment on Meg the cocker's post as it is very unfair and completely untrue. She appears to me to be a working type cocker or a working/show cross as well. Cockers are no more likely to bite than any other breed of dog and 'rage syndrome' is a term which is bandied about a lot but there is a lack of proper research into this condition. True 'rage' is extremely rare and some doubt that it even exists at all. Unfortunately cockers have been somewhat of a victim of their own success - their popularity means that there are a lot of unscrupulous breeders out there who breed dogs with no consideration to compatibility or temperament which can create problems but again unfortunately for cockers issues which in another breed might be treated more sympathetically with them tend to get mislabelled as 'rage' just because of the breed. I have 3 working type cockers and I adore them. They are wonderful dogs but have a very high working drive and need very large amounts of exercise and stimulation as with most working bred dogs. They are at their happiest when we are training or when they are out working and doing what they are bred to do. They have wonderful temperaments, the best of any dogs I have come across. I have never heard any of them growl let alone bite, they will share bones and can eat out of the same dish. It is just not in their natures to be otherwise, as it should not be in the nature of any well bred, well socialised and trained cocker. Show type cockers (which are what most people think of when they think 'cocker') are also lovely dogs. They are generally happy, busy characters who love people and other dogs. They can be noisy dogs, typical 'gobby cockers' but they are full of personality and exceptionally loving. As Jan says though, they are stubborn characters, they can be wilful and need firm, fair, patient and most of all consistent handling. I'd also recommend Cockers Online, it's definitely the place for cockerholics These are my 3 monsters... soaking wet as usual You can see that working cockers look quite different to show types.

Yep, mine follow me to the kitchen, upstairs, everywhere... every time I move I have 3 cocker shaped shadows right behind me

I love Alfie because when he looks into my eyes he sees into my soul I love Tilly because of her huge heart, the love and joy that radiates from her and the love she shows to everyone she meets I love Rodaidh for his sweet and gentle nature and because his idea of perfect happiness is to be with me

Alfie - 17 month old light blue roan working cocker Tilly - 2 and a half year old solid liver working cocker Rodaidh - 6 month old golden working cocker Hmmm.... looks like I have a bit of a theme going on as well Alfie and Rodaidh were bought from breeders and Tilly is my rescue girl

Really sorry

I recently changed mine from twice a day to once as they were only eating one of their meals and picking at the other. They seem perfectly happy with it so far. They get a few biccies first thing in the morning after their first walk then their main meal at around midday before their big afternoon walk then a few more biccies in the evening plus their bedtime gravy bones.