Tips for a Newborn English Springer Spaniel

English springer spaniels are very well tempered dogs -- and if trained well from a young age -- they make wonderful house pets. Newborns require a great deal of attention during and after nursing. It's essential that they are rarely separated from their mother, until they require the first inoculation. After that it's time to start training. English springer spaniels have an excellent capacity to learn and get excited about pleasing their master, starting early yields the best results.

  1. Temperature and Bedding

    • Many newborn puppies die as a result of chilling. It's vital that they are kept in warm temperatures, between 70 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit, until they grow sufficient fur to keep themselves warm. Most breeders use heating lamps, or heating pads to keep newborns warm. However, it's vital to monitor the heat source, otherwise the puppies could overheat. A newborn has fragile body and requires soft bedding to stay comfortable. Towels serve this purpose well, and are capable of absorbing waste. It's important to check the towels frequently though, otherwise they'll become overly soiled.

    Injections

    • English springer spaniel puppies generally receive enough antibodies and protection from the mother's placenta to remain disease free for up to eight weeks. After that, they require several important vaccinations, specifically for: kennel cough, parvo virus, leptospriosis, infectious canine hepatitis, and distemper. Inoculations should begin between 8 to 10 weeks. The vaccinations are administered two at a time with 2 to 4 week breaks in between shots, followed by an annual booster shot. Since it can take quite a long time two fully inoculate your newborn, it's a good idea to start as soon as possible.

    Routine

    • Around the time when a newborn English springer spaniel starts to roam around freely -- usually just before it gets the first round of vaccinations -- it's important to create a routine. A routine will consist of a set feeding, sleeping, playing and exercising time. Establishing a routine early will make the newborn feel comfortable and content in its environment. It's important not to over-exercise newborns, since their bodies are still developing; however, mitigate their high energy levels by taking them on short walks daily and letting them get plenty of playtime.

    Rules

    • Although it's incredibly cute to have a puppy fall asleep on your lap, it might not be so cute when they grow to full size. English springer spaniels weigh up to 40 pounds when fully grown; and they are 20 inches at the shoulders: This is a considerable size and weight to have sprawled on your lap. Furthermore, establishing rules for behavior -- like jumping up -- is also crucial. Every time your spaniel performs a bad behavior, it's important to firmly say "No" while walking into their space to assert your dominance. Moreover, it's absolutely vital that all family members practice the same training philosophy and technique -- to avoid confusion and the development of bad behaviors.