11 week old cocker questions

[Birdy]

Hi all
Toby seems to be coming on well, will sit to voice, hand and peep of whistle (whilst he is close by)
Ok with collar and clip on lead (only use lead for short trip up the road)
Recalls well to voice and whistle as he should at this age
Been doing 2/3 retreives twice a day in the garden sat on small step with legs funneled for him to run back to with rolled up sock he's straight out and straight back
(about 10 yrds) but he's reluctant to release the sock is that a problem at this age or is it good enough him fetching it back. I've been waiting until he let go then throwing again.
What age would it be ok to change to slip lead or is that when he walks ok on clip lead?
And finally what age would you suggest i go for a 1-1 for assessment and pointers.
It's been a tiring few weeks but loving it even with a cocker
Thanks
Birdy

[trekmoor]

It sounds like you are doing fine to me. I wouldn't go for 1-2-1's until a pup was about 6 months ....unless some serious problem cropped up. You cannot really do 1-2-1's with a really young pup. They do not have 1 hours worth of attention span. 1 hour can be too much for an older pup too.

Wullie

[druimmuir]

personally at 11 weeks old 4-6 retrieves a day I would say is over doing it, you know he's capable so what's the purpose of repeating, as Wullie says pups at such a young age have short attention spans, plus need to still be pups, more so with cockers you don't want to overdo the retrieves if he's keen you want to keep him that way, a retrieve or two every other day would help keep him keen,

Enjoy him he sounds a wee smasher

[crofty]

I agree with the previous two posts , slow down a bit,I have 12 wk cocker he only gets 4-6 retrieves In a Week,like Toby he retrieves well but i dont want to bore him just keep him keen,I'll give him a recall couple times a day,do abit of hide and seek in the garden and I have done nothing other than getting him used to me putting his lead on and off. Let him be a pup as much as you can they are sensitive wee souls don't push him Along too quick they have a habit of holding grudges !!!!!!

[Gazelle1000]

I agree, to much to young can make a dog bored.

I made the same problem with my 1st gundog (ESS) wanting to do everything everyday and have learnt a valuable lesson.

They all say you learn from the mistakes you made first time round, well I have

[Birdy]

Thanks all advice taken It is too easy to get carried away, we'll go meet some more traffic and livestock.
Another bonus is he doesn't seem bothered about all the bloody low flying aircraft we get round here, the other dog is terrified of them
Cheers
Birdy

[keirk]

Another bonus is he doesn't seem bothered about all the bloody low flying aircraft we get round here, the other dog is terrified of them

Aye - I've got a 12 week old lab and going through things I never thought about with the older dog (like clipping nails, and washing him down with a hose etc)