Exercise for 8 month cocker spaniel

Question
QUESTION: We rescued a cocker spaniel puppy at the age of 1 month.  She is the sweetest and has been no problem.  Now that she is 8 months old, she is tired of being in her "play area" in the house.  Both my husband and I work.  I walked her every morning, lunch break, and after dinner until last week when I broke my foot.  My husband is not inclined to walk her as much as I did.  She is getting restless.  What is the best indoor exercise that I can do with my puppy?

ANSWER: Well, your husband is going to have to step up to the plate until your foot heals and get her out at least twice a day.  At this age they're on energy overload.

Will she bring back a ball if you toss it?  I am unsure of what you mean by her "play area" and if she's confined to that too much?
Delores

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QUESTION: She loves to play ball or toy toss and she always brings it back to me in the house.  Her "play area" is her crate and a gated area but it is too small to run in and she seems to need to run.  I think she is getting bored with being cooped up but I am hesitant to let her roam the house.  Both my husband and I work full time.  I go home at lunch to let her out to relieve herself and to play with me for about 20 minutes, then I have to go back to work.  She is in her area from 8:30 a.m. to 12:15; 12:45 to 5:30; and then she is out while I am at home.  Is she being too restricted?

ANSWER: Okay...then lie on the couch and play fetch.  They'll do that for hours :)

Is she completely housebroken?  Does she get into things/chew things?
If not, I'd shut a lot of doors and see what happens if she has a bit more freedom.  Basically she's in a crate 8 hours a day.  It is too much.  It's not lack of space so much as isolation.

Any chance of getting a dog walker mid-afternoon?  Or doggie daycare?
She'd come home from that totally tired :)  And a tired dog is a good dog.

Where does she sleep?  If she's fairly quiet, try letting her sleep with you or in your room.  For her that "counts" as time with you.

I have one that absolutely MUST sleep in his bed in the kitchen since he bounces on my head at 3am - the other one finds his spot at the end of the bed and doesn't make a peep until I get up.

You sound like a very good owner and just remember, this broken foot is temporary and life is not perfect for anyone or any dog.  So try letting her have a bit more freedom - push your husband to "temporarily" take over more walks - see if sleeping with you works - look into a dog walker (or even someone who'd pop in, let her out and toss a ball for her for 20 minutes mid or late afternoon).

My own dogs have the run of the house and LOVE sitting & looking out the window - probably woof at everything that goes by :)  But she does need exercise - that means a minimum of two half-hour walks a day.  If she's cool with other dogs, take her to a dog park (fenced) and let her tire herself out.

I'd also like to know what you're feeding her?  Exercise and first-rate nutrition are the most important things.
Delores

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QUESTION: She had so many problems with so many types of worms and bad diarhea and she only weighed 4 lbs. when we adopted her.  After many doctor visits, the vet prescribed Royal Canin Intestinal HE 28 for tender tummies.  It has worked like a charm. She now weighs 21.3 lbs. and she loves the dry food.  Also, we have discovered that she can only have 2 liver treats a day and pretty much no biscuit treats. Every other week or so, she gets 1/2 of a Frosty Paws ice cream treat.

The dog park is a good idea.  I have hesitated going back because she is still a little shy around other dogs.  I have taken her to play time at Pets Mart and she does seem to like that, but I can't do that very often due to cost.

Delores, your answers have been very helpful.  They have helped me focus on what we need to do to get more exercise.  I'll try closing doors and letter her roam.  We do that on the week-ends and she does like it a lot.  She is usually content to just sit with us if we are working at home.  Thanks for your help.

Mary

Answer
Intestinal parasites can cause a lot of digestive problems.  I'd strongly advise changing her food by adding tiny amounts of a premium food at a time and see how it goes.  An all-kibble diet is not the best for cockers since it's extremely high in carbs just due to how kibble is made.  The one exception is Innova or Innova EVO.

If you're nervous about doing that, I'd add some finely chopped plain boiled chicken (no skin-no bones) to up the protein content.  

Lots of dogs have issues with liver so that, in itself, doesn't mean anything.  Our first cocker would barf if anything had even a trace of liver.

Now, as for the dog park - if she's a bit shy, keep her on leash and pick her playmates.  Make the first visit short - see how she is and don't force it.  

Mary, if you'd like to discuss nutrition in more depth, please feel free to write me directly at DeeBeck7765@aol.com.
Delores