Talk Morgan Forums Community The Malvern Arms Advice required -puppy and Morgan

My partner has a 16 week old cocker spaniel puppy. The pup travels well in both my partners cars ( m reg defender and Kia Sportage) and my daily driver. Time to introduce the pup to the Morgan . Her last dog a springer was old when introduced to the car and happily traveled in the passenger footwell with or without my partner.

And ideas of the best way to introduce the pup to the car ?

Pete

Hi my Cocker Spaniel travels behind the seats in my 4/4 .
I have a harness attached to both seat belts fixtures.She usually places her head between seats !
My footwell would be far to hot for her .
Alot of Morgans passanger footwell become very warm .
My Cocker is two years old .

Sprinkle a few food treats (biscuit type) in the footwell and let the pup in leaving the door open until it finds all the treats then bring it out. Do this a few times then decrease the amount of treats until the pup is happy in there with no treats. Use it’s favourite toy or a ball if it doesn’t respond to treats.

Alternatively, if you accidentally hit a dead badger with the underside of the Morgan your dog will spend hours on a journey sniffing around the footwell.

Interesting comments. We are havering about getting a pup and with two 2 seaters and a saloon with seperate bot, we are wondering abou the practicality. The dog would be springer sized.

From what people are posting it sound as if its quite practical albeit neither 2 seater has any room behind the seats so its footwell only

Any tips aboput the pitfalls of puppy buying - what to do and what not to do?

Howard

I had a golden retriever when married.

My partner has owned dogs for 32 years and her last springer was exceptional and hence this time a cocker.

she thinks a good starting point for people who have either not owned a dog before or have had a break from dog ownership is the Kennel Club guide

https://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/getting-a-dog-or-puppy/

She found the current puppy on Preloved.

Her springer travelled quite happily in the footwell with heating vents off in the mog. It has also travelled well in the footwell of the defender when the back has been filled.

Puppies are very expensive so have a strong drink to hand or a defibrillator when you start looking

Pete

In the 1980s had a Staffy built like tank . He would come to the garage side door give one almighty woof and stand their . When opened he would always look at me like I was never quick enough , walk outside the garage for a pee. Then crawl under the engine so I could not go off without him , If I tried to reach him he would get back as far as he could . Giving in to him was easy" come on then get in the car" . A towel on the passenger seat and no side screen, held the door open for him and in he would jump happy as a dog in a mog he would sit their like a king . But as the wind blew up his nose he sneezed like hell on the dash . Still I loved him and he loved me when he was ill I took him to the Vets at opening time in the m/ing first customer and sat till they where ready to close in the evening . I did not want to let go . I can remember the bark when they put the needle in . Bought another to soon after and he hated the mog . Jnr is talking dogs with her future husband looks like I may get to take another Staffy in the mog wonder if my goggles and flying helmet will fit it . woof woof .

Must point out my 4/4 has reclining seats so the backs can be more upright.
Also my Cocker is a female which are alot smaller than the male.
The exhaust runs down the passenger side so becomes real hot down there !

We often take our 2 spaniels out in the Mog. Springer and a Cocker. I fitted an anchor point in the panel behind the seats and they have harnesses to clip them in.
For a puppy, try some short runs to start and don't forget to put a suitable waterproof liner under the puppy!!!

For practicality get a dog that your passenger is happy to have sit on her lap (or your lap if you’re the passenger) and try and find one that doesn’t shed too much hair. An added bonus is finding one that is easy to clean/dry. The Fox Terrier fits the bill but the smooth haired ones do shed. Whippets or Italian Greyhounds are also ideal or even a Manchester Terrier. Spaniels look beautiful and are great working dogs but can get wet and muddy. Look for congenital defects in a breed and buy from a good breeder that you are happy with. You may pay more that way but it will probably be worth it in the long run. Don’t get a dog if it will have to be left alone for any period of time longer than a few hours and if you have nowhere for it to go when you do go away - plan ahead. Be prepared for long walks in the cold, the mud, and the rain. Be prepared to meet lots of new people and have people start talking to you. It’s similar to a Morgan in that respect. Enjoy!

Top Tip on dog ownership.

Research and don't rush into it.

If you can't commit to the dog then don't get one.

They have a big impact on your lifestyle.

If you do go ahead, they can be the most rewarding chapter of your life.

If you are getting on a bit, consider the physical implications of an over enthusiastic hound literally dragging you down the street they can put a lot of wear and tear on your body.

They are not cars you can't swap and change your mind.


I would advise against one of these (no room for the wife!)



That is Archie my Old English sat in my smart Roadster for a sense of scale.