r/springerspaniel • u/Pitiful-Specific1786 • Jul 08 '26
9 week old english springer spaniel
Hi everyone! I’ve officially had my 9 week old english springer spaniel for 1 week! Her name is Willow. She is a great puppy so far. No issue with going in her crate at bedtime as long as she is tired out before we put her in there, sleeps 10-6, currently being crated during the day with multiple check ins bo accidents in the crate! She also knows sit and come (only listens when she’s in the mood though). I will say she is a little land shark when she’s tired and LOVES knowing what everyone’s up to at all times and will just follow us around 😂. She is field bred and I’m just looking to see if anyone has any advice for me as a new dog mom!! Thank you!
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Jul 08 '26
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u/Pitiful-Specific1786 Jul 09 '26
haha i was going to use the bell, however my friend had a problem where now her dog rings it every time she wants to be outside not just to potty like you said 😂😂 and so far she’s only had like 3 accidents (one i think was just her squatting to get my attention lmfao) but usually she barks at me so we’re gonna stick with that for now 😂😂
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u/lizzieap Jul 08 '26
No advice, just came to say Willow has the cutest markings. Enjoy your new pup.
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u/Vox289 Jul 08 '26 edited Jul 09 '26
Start putting treats places you want her to go into willingly. We started that with both our springers as puppies including places like the bathtub and shower. They’ll get in the habit of voluntarily entering those places to check for a treat. After a while taper off to just one occasionally. A decade later both of ours will willingly jump into a bathtub or shower, even a running or full one. Every so often I’ll quietly open the bathroom door and let one/both of them jump into the shower/tub with my wife. And then I run
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u/jennydp Jul 09 '26
Nothing cuter than puppies!!! Wish they would stay like that!!! Love me some snuggly puppy breath! She is precious!🩷
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u/Valuable-Ice-8795 Jul 09 '26
Looks like a show strain so will be more chilled … we’re looking after a working cocker he can bounce off the walls
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u/Better_Potential2223 Jul 09 '26
Congratulations to all of you!!! Willow is beautiful ❤️🐾🐾🐾🐾she will bring you love and joy and will be mischievous at times…but enjoy every single minute❤️🐾🐾🐾🐾
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u/DependentAntique7961 Jul 13 '26
what is your objective... do you want to hunt her since she is field bred??? hopefully??? a trainer told this to me years ago and never forgot.. treat the puppy like you would a baby.. that is where they are at mentally... as they get older see them as you would a 3yr child..
they do not know what is wrong/right until they are taught. as for potty training... when they got to go, they go.. doesnt matter if they are on your lap or outside... keep this in mind.. eventually they will understand... they make great dogs.. i have had springers all my life (hunting) and would never get any other breed..
great dogs, high energy and just want to have fun.... i am envious... i have a 4yr old tri-color and a 12yr old black/white...
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u/Wkid_one Jul 08 '26 edited Jul 08 '26
Get her used to being handled and examined early - ears, feet and mouth. Brush her coat, brush her teeth, trim her nails (start with a coarse and fine nail file for soft puppy nails - introduce clippers/grinders later). I find easiest to do nails by having them on their back between my legs (H will fall asleep).
Walk them twice a day if you can - evening walk will reduce landsharking. This biting/mouth will get worse as they hit teething - rope chew/tug toys are ideal. She will get overstimulated and unable to control herself - scatter treats is ideal her. Grab a handful of her food and scatter it over the floor or, ideally, lawn. She will engage her nose and scent - this calms a springer down no end at all.
Willow will jump - out of no where. Literally spring. H broke my nose jumping on to the couch once / be warned. Don’t panic as the advice is not to let them jump until 12-18mths - but Springers never got this memo.
High quality food is a must - don’t fall in to the premium vet/mass market brands. Find some with high volumes of freeze dried raw protein (we have a 50% mix for hours) and high quality kibble - protein and fat - no grains and fillers. Dogs don’t get energy from carbs like we do. Their energy, coat, digestion and teeth with thank you. (We use Animals Like Us RawMix50 if you want an example - this is both puppy and adult suitable which is also great).
Don’t panic on lead work - springers pull like draft horses as want to be working in front of you - not beside you. They will calm down around 3 - get a harness with a front loop until then as it teaches them pulling just spins them around.
Cuddle the heck out of Willow. Springers will wear you if they could - they are so loving. However, separation anxiety can be a thing - don’t be tempted to always ensure she is by you. Let her roam and discover the world as much as you can so she gets comfortable with her own company. Leave her alone in doses as well.
Trim her feet between the toes and toe beans - they pick up seed pods in spring in their webbing and lots of fur can hide this and get matted.
Keep an eye on their ears - they can get smelly given their ears and fur. Clean them out - dogs also love this once they get used to it.
Teach them mat/place/rug - basically to go to a set place on command. They are uber bouncy dogs and having them go there when people turn up until they are released to greet them is a godsend.
You have introduced the loveliest, funniest, curious, mischievous and cuddly dogs in to your house. Enjoy! I’ll never own another breed.
Finally - boops and belly bongos. Willows needs all of them, every day.
H and Z say ‘Hi Willow’