How often should I let my 3 month old Female Cocker Spaniel out?

Question
QUESTION: Hello Delores,
  I just got my little girl Izzy a few days ago Friday March 5,2010 and she is doing very well for the most part housebreaking. However, I live in Cleveland, Ohio and this time a year it is still cold and snowy outside. I would like to know how often should I take her outside to to pee and poop? I take her after a feeding about 15-20 minutes after. I take her after she and my other dog have been playing and I want to transition them to rest time. They will play non-stop if I let them. I take her out when I get her out of her create after we get home from work, sleep, or whatever. It seems I take her out every hour. Is this to much and when will I see a change to having to go out less? Also, I bought puppy pads and sprayed the housebreaking spray on them and she will not pee on those if I do not get to her in time. Is that just a waste of my money and efforts?

  Also, how do I get her to stop chewing on everything including my limbs? I have bought her toys and raw hides. She will chew a little on those but over all she really prefers my area rugs.

 Next, how come I have never really seen a Blue and Tan Roan Cocker Spaniel before? and why? She is super cute and I love her coloring! What does Roan mean?

  Finally, how much and how often should I be feeding her? She was born on 12/20/2009. I feed her a dry/ wet food mix. Is this ok or should I be serving it to Izzy separate? These are all an after thought after I went to see the Vet yesterday.

Thank you in advance,
Melody

ANSWER: It sounds like baby Izzy is doing very well :)

I'm glad you're "taking" her out, not just putting her out.

Now you need to pick a command "go potty" or whatever you choose.  Take her out and keep giving the command (no other chat) and WATCH her - they signal when they're about to go and that's when you give the command again  - praise & treat.
It's amazing how quickly they get the command-action-reward.  Stay on that consistently and you'll see big improvement in a week.  (But at her age, she'll probably till have the odd "oops")

Yes, take her out pretty soon after eating - after EVERY nap.  The puppy pads are good for when you're gone and she's confined.  But remember, at this age they simply don't have good bladder control.  Once she's tinkled, you're pretty safe for an hour or so.  A good rule is every two hours even if she hasn't eaten or had a sleep.  Routine is your friend with a puppy :)

If she does have an accident don't bother to correct unless you catch her right in the act.
60 seconds later they have no clue what you're talking about.

Now-chewing.  Please don't give her rawhides or greenies - a nice piece of that can get stuck in her throat
and/or a swallowed bit can cause problems.  They're just not safe and often contaminated.
Get her a couple of baby-sized Kongs and put a little treat inside..it'll keep her busy for ages.
As she grows, toss those and get bigger ones.  Never give a dog anything they can put totally inside their mouths.  When she chomps on your hand - squeal OUCH like you're hurt.  If that doesn't work, I can suggest other things.  Always give her a substitute for your fingers :)

Roans are rare and beautiful and the only cockers that have that blue in their coat.

Feeding:  I'd still be feeding her about 4x daily and I wouldn't mix wet and dry but give them separately.  When dry is in the wet, they tend to not chew it.

What are you feeding her?  She's in a massive growth spurt and needs a high quality food.
Nutrition is key to keeping her healthy.
And do you know how to clean ears?  And now's the time to start getting her used to have her teeth brushed.

Happy to discuss all that and anything else, so please write anytime.  I love answering questions from good, caring owners :)
Delores

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: We are feeding her "Nutro Natural Choice Small Bites Puppy, Chicken meal, Rice and Oatmeal Formula." What kind of treats do you suggest giving her? I will get her a Kong today as the petsmart is next door to the food super market.

How do you clean her ears?

  Thank you for all the great information! I plan on take photos of Izzy and Jessy (our 5 year old Curr) today. I will send you an image. We just love her the two dogs are doing great.

Thank you,
Melody

ANSWER: Melody, Nutro is way down on the food chain.

I'd strongly suggest trying the smaller pet food stores because they sell the premium brands
like Innova EVO - Orijen - Pinnacle (and Petsmart, I believe, sells Wellness CORE (not the regular Wellness).  A good food - Wellness has stepped up their game.  Also - don't feed only kibble and whatever brand you choose, rotate the different proteins.  Variety is important.

Ear Cleaning:
Life her ear straight up
Pour ear cleaner in & fill canal (two squeezes usually does it)
Put ear down and massage ear canal (should hear a squishing sound)
Let her shake her head
Now you go down there with a cotton pad and clean it out.

I use the cotton 'squares' because you can fold them on the diagonal tightly and make a slight funnel shape which will let you go down further. Clean once a week and see what you get.
If it's all clear, extend that.  Every cocker is different.  One of mine MUST have weekly - the other one once a month.

I'd also highly recommend the Zymox line of ear products.  Available online - not expensive - and no cocker owner should be without them.  I can advise on that.  Will save you a bundle at the vet.

Get one of those little "finger" toothbrushes and some dog toothpaste.  It's not wildly important now because she's going to lose her baby teeth...but it's important she get used to this.  Brushing her teeth will save you money and a vet will tell you, it adds years to their lives.  By age 3 most dogs have gingivitis (as we would if we paid no attention to dental care).
Just plunk her on the counter and do half her mouth...you're just getting her used to it.
By the time she needs a regular toothbrush you'll have no problem.
Delores

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you so much! I will order the ear cleaner next! Boy, just when you think you are getting a good food for your puppy, I will look for one of those brands. This should also cut back on her stool as well right? I want her to have a good B.M. but if we can not have so much to clean up that would be great. We will get on the teeth brushing. I just looked at Jessy's and it not to bad but I will start taking care of that. Thank again!

Answer
Talk to me before you order the Zymox.  There's a cleaner and two different meds.  You should get all three.  Best price I've found is AbsolutelyPets.com

Is her stool too soft?  Yes, a premium food will cut the stool down because it's not crammed with cheap fillers she can't digest.

I can work with any budget for food, Melody.  But cheap food ends up being very expensive :).
If you go to Naturapet.com you'll find out who sells Innova in your area - and whoever sells that will sell other quality food.
Perhaps a combo of the Wellness CORE (chicken) and Innova Red Meat bites (different red meats).

Don't have a fav doggie treat - prefer to give a small chunk of apple - a baby carrot (not too many-loaded with sugar) and green beans.  

Delores