Author: Phil

A long-term springer spaniel owner

New Website Look

I finally bit the bullet and changed the look of the site. Google had been complaining that the old skin was not mobile friendly. The ‘look’ was a bit dated (almost 5 years old now, I can’t believe it)!

The other main change is that the menu is now on the left hand side – I hope that you don’t find it to be awkward to use.

A Facebook ‘Follow’ or ‘Share’ would be much appreciated!

I hope that it helps you in your search for knowledge about springer spaniels. Any questions? you can always email me phil@springerspanieladvice.com

Problem: My Springer Will Not Stop Swimming

Recently I received an email from one of my followers:

Question

Phil,

Love your advice!

I have had springers 30 years. At present I have a 4 year old neutered male who is a great boy and plays like a puppy.

My concern: I live on the largest fresh water lake in the world. The temperature hovers around 50-55 degrees in the summer. Last year there were several coveys of ducks and Jack would not come out of the water after almost an hour. He is so intent a hunter I fear he could get hypothermia or drown.

Although he seemed in no distress it was scarry to say the least. Now I keep him on a long cable and of course no where as much fun as being free. What can I do?

Thank you, Barb I

Response

Here’s what I wrote back:

Hi Barb

Thanks for your interesting question, and your kind comments.

This is what I think you should do: If you don’t already use a dog whistle, get one.

When Jack is in the water (or out) use the whistle – one blow at time, a few minutes apart. When he does eventually come out, use the whistle once again and give him a treat – a treat he doesn’t usually get.

Over a few weeks you should be able to train him to associate the one blow with the treat, whether he is in the water or not. Don’t overdo it. Then as summer comes only use the whistle when he is in the water.

If you already use a dog whistle, then you’ll need to train him to respond to a special pattern of blows – maybe short-long-short.

That should sort him out.

Good luck!

A Common Problem

Springers just love the water, and one of mine lived to swim in the dock – a tidal dock. Late one evening he was heading out on the last of the tide with his best pal, my father’s Irish Setter (Milligan). They eventually swam ashore and landed on a mudbank…fine, but very muddy!

I’ve learned to put much more effort into training since that evening.

Dogs Read your Face and Know Whether you are Happy or Sad –

Facial expressions are essential in human communications. Without saying a word, we can signal to those around us to our emotional state—ranging from joy to sorrow—just by flexing a few facial muscles. Such expressions have evolved to help us form bonds, avoid danger and cooperate.

According to the results of a study published in Current Biology, dogs can read this silent method of communication and can distinguish between our angry and happy facial expressions. Tell me something new – most dog owners knew this already!

A Tight Bond between Man and Dog

Dogs and humans share a tight historical bond, which is why animal researchers from the University of Vienna focused on us for their research. Dogs are already known to be expert at reading us. We know that they can identify familiar faces – even if just part of the face is shown in a photograph. Whether they can actually read human emotions, however, was not proven until now

This seems to be the first time that researchers have shown that one animal species can recognise the emotions of another.

More research is planned – experiments with puppies could help us understand whether reading human facial expressions is something dogs learn as they mature, or if it’s something passed down in the genes.

Alfie the Springer Spaniel Sniffer Dog Retires with £11Million Haul

After 8 years, 400 arrests and a net haul of £11 million ($16 million), Alfie the springer spaniel sniffer dog has retired from Staffordshire Police.

Pic of Alfie the Springer Spaniel
Credit CatersNews.com

Alfie was originally donated to the police by a family in Nottinghamshire after they found him to be too hyperactive. Ms Hargreaves, his handler, who has been in the police since she joined the cadets at 16, said: ‘He was way too much for an ordinary family – a bit overzealous and hyperactive – but that’s exactly what we look for in a search dog.

‘He is ball crazy and that’s the first thing we need – a dog who loves the reward of chasing a tennis ball.’

After being assessed by a team of officers, it was clear that he was perfect for the job and Alfie was inducted into the force with eight weeks of training with his handler. She said: ‘I was new to being a specialist dog handler too. Although I’d had a general purpose dog before, Alfie was my first search dog.

‘He’s turned out to be the finest dog the force has ever known.

During his eight years in the force, Alfie has sniffed out £8million in drugs alone, plus cash, guns and ammunition.

‘And Alfie has always been 100 per cent professional – that’s what makes him such a special dog – even when he was doing shift patterns. He did exactly the same hours as me, even when I was working nights or from the early hours of the morning.As soon as I put my uniform on, he was ready to work.’

Alfie retired in October and is being supported by the Staffordshire Retired Police Dogs Scheme now he is no longer in active service. Ms Hargreaves said: ‘Although I was very sad to see him retire I know he’ll enjoy his new home.

‘But I will be fundraising for the Staffordshire Retired Police Dogs Scheme to make sure he has a comfortable retirement.’

Full Story at the Daily Mail

Springer Spaniel 5 Year Memory and why Microchips Matter

This springer met up with her owners five years after going missing! The owners had a pair of springers from pups, but one day when they were out walking, Daisy went missing.

Five years later they received a phone call from a dog warden who had traced them using Daisy’s microchip.

They went to pick her up and she recognised them immediately!

The Daily Mail has an excellent story with some terrific pictures of Daisy and her partner Flynn. Full story at

Daily Mail

Springer Spaniel Training – Trialling

Two Types of Training

Some people would argue that the best trained springers are those which win prizes for obiedience. There is another view though – that trialling champions are the best trained. Well, to me it’s just like arguing about what the best flavour of ice cream is – it’s a matter of opinion – or taste, I guess.

A Special Breed

Undoubtedly a trialling champion springer must be special, and this video documentary (Lone Hunter TV) shows just what is needed to train a trialling champion. I’m not a trialling person myself, but the sheer enthusiasm and joy this dog gets from the training is a real pleasure to watch!

It also presents an interesting view of a top-notch kennel, and brings home the point that these dogs are bred for the field and not as family pets.

Licence: Standard YouTube

Springer Spaniel Heat Exhaustion Warning

It has been a particularly hot summer in the UK and there have been human and animal casualties. Springer spaniels are very active dogs and obviously they don’t know their own limitations. Most stories about dog deaths in the heat relate to them being left in vehicles with no ventilation or water.

Springer spaniel died of heat exhaustionThere are other occasions too, such as this sad  story I picked up about a springer dying from heat exhaustion. Rob Maclaren of TheCourier.co.uk reported:

“The seven-year-old springer spaniel, called Dylan, had been walking off the lead at Montrose Golf Links on Monday when it chased after a bitch.

It was found hours later in an exhausted state by another dog walker around two miles away near Kinnaber, who took it to the Golf Veterinary Practice in Montrose.

Practice manager and head nurse Sarah Dryden said the dog was unconscious by the time it arrived at the centre, at around 2pm.

“We put the dog in a cold bath to try to bring his temperature down, which had gone up to 108 degrees,” she said. “Unfortunately, it died shortly after admission.”

The dog’s owners described their heartbreak that their dog, who they described as a “member of the family”, had died.

Gary and Karen Neave had been away on a family holiday to Florida with their two daughters and granddaughter and had left Dylan in the care of Gary’s father, Jack.

They returned home from a long flight on Monday and went immediately to bed, without knowing Dylan was missing.

Ms Dryden said it was important dog owners think about the warm weather before going outdoors with their pet.

She advised: “Make sure your dog has a drink before it goes outside when it is warm and always take water with you. Dogs should have access to water before, during and after exercise.

“Try not to exercise the dog when it is extremely warm outside. It’s important to point out that it doesn’t just happen when dogs are left in cars.”

Thanks to TheCourier.co.uk, Rob Maclaren and for use of the owner’s photo. Full story at:

www.thecourier.co.uk

Springer Spaniel Fire Sniffer

As a Welshman, this one is close to home for me!

Sammy has helped investigate 500 fires – he sniffs to find if an accelerant has been used to start it. Now, he’s a finalist in the Hero Dogs award of the Dogs Trust. He sniffs for South Wales Fire and Rescue Service.

The BBC reports that:

Trainer Matt Jones, 32, of Usk, Monmouthshire, said before the Dogs Trust awards on Monday: “He is very passionate for his work.”

Sammy, who is eight, has lived with Mr Jones since he was one and has been trained by him to home in on a range of materials often used to start fires.

He can detect the presence of petrol, diesel, paraffin, white spirit, barbecue fluid, turpentine, acetone, lighter fluid and ethanol up to two weeks after a blaze.

Mr Jones said: “He gives a passive indication that something is there. He stares at what he has found. He is very accurate, to one or two inches.”

The dog’s ability is above what science can detect”

Crime scene investigators then take a sample from the area and put it through laboratory tests to determine which of the substances is present.

 

Springer Spaniel Companion Now On Kindle And iPhone/iPad

Hi Springer Spaniel Fans,

I’m delighted to announce that The Springer Spaniel Companion is now available on the Kindle, and in the iTunes Store.

If you’re a Nook user, it’s in the Barnes & Noble store too, and available at Lulu for many other formats. Here are the links:

Kindle – Amazon.com  Amazon.co.uk

iTunes Store

Nook/Barnes&Noble

Lulu for Sony, Kobo and many others

Here’s the Table of Contents:

Introduction

General Points about Dog Ownership

Chapter1

Origins and History

About the Breed

Personality

With Other Pets

Chapter 2

More About Springers

Coloring

The Coat

Size and Weight

Pedigrees

Lifespan

Chapter 3

What’s different about Welsh Springer Spaniels?

Physical Differences

Lineage

Distribution

Chapter 4

Puppy or Mature Dog?

Choosing a Puppy – Basic Decisions

Finding the Right Breeder

Meeting Breeders

Timing

Choosing your Pup

Worming

Vaccinations

Microchips

Registering your Puppy

Puppy Checklist

The First Few Days and Weeks

House Rules

Preparations – a Short Checklist

The New Pup at Home

House Training

Basic Training

Attention

Basic Commands

Your Pup’s Own Space

Feeding

Hygiene

Teeth

Washing

Learning to be Alone

Socialization, or Learning to Meet Others

Toys

Exercising your Puppy

Chapter 5

Springer Spaniel Rescue Dogs

What is a Rescue Centre?

Why Dogs are in a Rescue Centre

Health Issues

Disadvantages of Rescue Dogs

Springer Spaniel Rescue Centers

Assessing Rescue Center Springers

And Finally

Chapter 6

The Adult Dog

Exercise

6 Months and Beyond

Springer Spaniel Grooming

Start Early

More Advanced Grooming for the Adult Dog

Travel

Cars and Trucks

On the Train

Using Boarding Kennels

Chapter 7

Feeding

Feeding Bowls

When to Feed

Nutrition Basics

Food Types

Feeding Profile – Age and Activity

Treats and what not to give your dog

Weight Control

Treats

Quantities

Avoid Secret and Hidden Feeds

Chapter 8

Training

Training Classes

Types of Training

Basic Approach

Obedience Training

Methods

Collars and Leads

The Sit

The Stand

Heel

Stay

The Fetch

Body Signals and Voice

Instilling Good Habits

Eliminating Bad Habits

Rescue Dog Training

What’s his Name?

Chapter 9

Health and Life

Vaccinations

General Health Checks

Hereditary Conditions specific to Springer Spaniels

Common Illnesses and Conditions

General Remedies

Using Veterinarians

Insurance

At the End

Appendices

Field Trials

The Law

Identity

Dangerous Dogs

Fouling

Control

Crossing Borders

Disease Control

If you own or you are seeking a Springer Spaniel, then this book is a great companion!

Here are the links again:

Kindle – Amazon.com  Amazon.co.uk

iTunes Store

Nook/Barnes&Noble

Lulu for Sony, Kobo and many others

Check it out today!

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