chrisnpat
Gurnee,Il
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Sunday we are adopting a 5-year-old Cocker. He was found as a stray and in a High-kill shelter, someone called ShoreWood Cocker Rescue to save him. He has been with his foster family for three months, and they say he is ready for adoption.
According to his foster mom he is very sweet and laid back, he should go very well with our 6-year-old female.
Im very excited to meet him and share our lives with him. But a little scared also, I've never taken in a rescue before.
This will be our fourth Cocker spaniel and we really love the breed, so that won't be a problem. At least no surprises there anyways. And we are also very familiar with the health issues with cockers, so no problem there either.
I hope he likes us, I don't know why Im concerned about that but I am, I really want him to be happy living here with us and his new sister.
Any advice anyone has will be greatly appreciated.
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Hoops
Indiana
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Chris you will do great. You have the "heart" and that is a good thing. He will love you.
Becky
The Hoops. ED and Becky
Missy our little Bichon
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B. BOOMER
lost somewhere in america
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As a stray {if he was starving} and in a NEW place where he doesn't quite know what to expect - he might have food aggressive issues at first. Feed your pups SEPARATELY {maybe even in different rooms} for awhile until you're certain that he's okay "sharing HIS food" or eating in close proximity to his new sis. Of course also give him lots of praise and love and it will undoubedly be a "match made in heaven" 
Congratulations on the new addition to your family 
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VFXer
Gilroy, CA
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I have 7 rescues (5 alive right now and two have passed away and all American Eskimos) and after the adjustment period, which could be short or long everything will be alright. Make sure that you introduce in a neutral site. And expect that there may be a little dominance disagreement for a time. Everything should work out as long as you love and show them both attention.
One thing I have found is that if you "listen" to them, they will "tell" you about their past. For instance, one of the boys I have who actually adopted us, when you would try to pet him, his head would go to the floor. We had know that he had been beaten but didn't know how bad. After about a year I got him out of it and he is a great dog. Due to the beatings his is blind and deaf.
Just enjoy them.
vfxer@yahoo.com
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Code2High
Ridgecrest, CA
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Avoid the temptation to be overly emotional with him, to pity him, to focus on whatever happened or you think happened in his past. When he comes into your home, he needs structure and rules and guidance enforced in a calm and loving way, but still enforced. Changing homes is scary and confusing, and he needs that security of someone else being there to guide him. Starting or continuing obedience work can be a great way to both bond with a new dog and give the dog that frame of reference in terms of what is good behavior that gets rewarded.
Focus on giving him leadership, exercise (lots of walks with you and his new sis, but make sure you are walking them, not the other way around) and the security of knowing what the new rules are in this new situation. In between that, and when it is your idea, give the affection you're dying to give.
If dominance issues arise and are in any way violent, you need to move very quickly to let both dogs know that this will NOT be tolerated, period paragraph. No aggression allowed, and although they may subtly jockey for position, blatant power plays must be quashed... you are the pack leader.
susan
They didn't call her "Plain Gravy" for nothing.
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AZPops
Wherever the Job takes us...
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I’d recommend as soon as you bring him home. Before you do anything else, take both dogs out for a good long walk together.
This will help establishing the pack.
Pops
BTW, congrats on the new addition and giving him a forever home.
Captain: Pops
Ist Mate: Harlee "The Vicious Attack Dog", but only if you try to move her when she's sleeping...
Trouble Maker: Calvin "The Knucklehead"...
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RamTX
Houston Area.
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Thanks for giving an unwanted dog a new home. I wish everyone would consider adopting a rescue animal before buying one from a puppy mill!
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Viajo
Pickerel WI
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Good luck...post pics..and THANK YOU for taking a rescue!
Lisa & Bill
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USA Traveler
Lewisville
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Congratulations on your new family addition. The Cocker is very lucky to have been chosen you by. A wonderful Christmas present. Let us know how things go.
Cody, my little guy (Maltese)
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CatandJim
Tulsa, as in Oklahoma
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Thank you for adopting your new pack member. One thing I always do when introducing a new dog is do so on neutral ground. That way the established dogs don't have a reason to react territorially. It seems to help.
Good luck, let us know how things go!
Cat
(Jim just reads the forum once in a while)
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