About OBG

Oldies but Goodies Cocker Rescue, Inc, (OBG) is an all-volunteer non profit animal rescue organization based in Washington DC that is dedicated to the prevention of cruelty to animals. We do this through the rescue, medical care, rehabilitation and placement by adoption of homeless and/or abandoned cocker spaniels and cocker spaniel mixes to good homes in the Mid-Atlantic region.

OBG originated in Northern Virginia in 1996, out of a concern for the number of more senior dogs in the area that found themselves without homes, and had virtually no options for being rescued. OBG rescues cockers and cocker mixes of all ages, and has grown over the years to serve not only the Washington DC metro area, but also the Mid-Atlantic area. In 2006 we rescued and placed over 300 dogs. We typically have 100 dogs in our "inventory" which are kept in private foster homes. We currently have over 80 volunteers (and always could use more!)

OBG rescues cockers and cocker mixes of all ages (both young and old) directly from owners or from shelters. We also arrange for dogs in other rescue organizations, or still with their owners, to be posted on our courtesy page. OBG loves all animals, but by focusing on Cockers we are able to efficiently free up shelter space around the DC area which benefits all homeless dogs.

OBG is a no-kill rescue organization. We rarely euthanize, and then only for severe medical (e.g: terminal conditions when the animal is suffering) or extreme behavioral issues. We never euthanize dogs because they are "too old" or because they've been with us for "too long". We are not an animal sanctuary, but OBG dogs always have a home with us, and some have lived out their remaining days in loving foster homes never having been placed, but happy nonetheless. For an example of this, please click on Tippy's story.

When we rescue a Cocker Spaniel, we immediately take the dog to a veterinarian for a complete checkup and vaccinations. We address the most serious medical problems right away. We would like to take care of all our dogs' medical needs but with limited funds we prioritize the needs of the dogs. Each dog is placed in a loving foster home. We occasionally kennel our dogs when emergencies arise, but because of the expense and the stress on the dogs, we only use kennels as a last resort. OBG's philosophy is to keep our dogs in foster homes, where they are more comfortable, less traumatized, and where we can observe their personalities and temperaments in order to place them in the right home.

Two to three weekends each month we hold adoption shows at Petsmart and other stores all over the Washington DC metropolitan area where we bring the rescued dogs to meet prospective new families. We also can arrange for private meetings with dogs that you may be interested in. Each dog is spayed or neutered, brought up to date on all shots before being adopted out. We have a rigorous adoption process that includes a questionnaire, a home check, and a $350 adoption fee.

OBG has no resources outside the Mid-Atlantic area. If you are outside the Mid-Atlantic area, we can recommend shelters and rescue groups in your area. Please visit our links page to see a list of cocker rescue organizations around the country. You should also check our courtesy page for non OBG dogs that may be in your area.

OBG does not place our dogs outside the Mid-Atlantic area. We do not ship dogs, and will not place a dog without a home check. We also have limited resources outside of the Metro Washington DC area. Our service to the greater Mid-Atlantic area is often dependant upon our contacts with other shelter and rescue organizations, especially regarding the transportation of dogs and home checks.

Puppies, who will require spay/neutering in the future thus requiring a followup homecheck, will only be adopted out to homes in the Washington DC metropolitan area.

OBG is all volunteer, we do not have paid staff, and will respond to your inquiries in the evenings or on weekends. Please be patient, but if you haven't heard from us in a reasonable time, please contact us again. Your inquiry is important to us, but during periods when new dogs are coming in we are very busy.

On October 25, 1999, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) approved OBG, Inc.'s request for 501(c)(3) tax exempt status for non-profit organizations. As a result, all donations are tax deductible. Contact us if you need specific information regarding our tax exempt status. A copy of OBG's financial statement is available upon request from the Virginia Dept. of Agriculture and Consumer Services; 1100 Bank Street, Suite 100, Richmond VA 23219.

OBG appreciates all donations. Click here to see different ways that you can donate, and to see how your donation can make a difference. Please note that OBG is all volunteer; we don't pay salaries or rent. All of your donation goes to the care of our dogs. To donate now via credit card, click on the Helping.org logo

OBG can always use more volunteers, especially fosters parents. Click here to see the various ways that you can help through volunteering.

OBG adopts to families in the Mid-Atlantic Region and primarily the Washington DC area. We are a small organization of unpaid volunteers and have no resources to do home checks in other areas of the country. We do not ship dogs. Home checks are an important part of the adoption process and must be completed prior to the adoption.

Puppies, who will require spay/neutering in the future thus requiring a followup homecheck, will only be adopted out to homes in the Washington DC metropolitan area.

OBG will ensure that the dog is up to date on all shots, neutered or spayed, and is heartworm negative. If the dog is not old enough to be neutered or spayed, we will require that you have this done and will follow up with you. If you adopt a dog from OBG that has specific medical issues, we may make arrangements to have procedures or surgeries done after the adoption which OBG will pay for. These arrangements will vary depending on the specific dog. Regardless, OBG will turn over to you all medical information that we have obtained on the dog,

OBG greatly appreciates your interest in adopting one of our dogs, and we are committed towards finding the right match for you. Consequently, we may make some recommendations and steer you towards specific dogs. Although we are flexible, we may refuse to place specific dogs in certain homes, because we know that the dog would not work out (e.g. didn't like other dogs, energy level too high, etc.). We want to find homes for our dogs, but we don't want them to have go through the rescue process again.

If you are interested in adopting a dog from us, we suggest that you first download our application form and fill it out. Bring it with you to one of our adoption shows, and/or contact us to let us know of your interest. We also have an application form in MS-Word that you can fill in and email back to us. Based upon your application and in talking with you, we will make recommendations on which of our dogs might be a good fit. If a specific dog you are interested in is not available at an adoption show we can make arrangements for a private meeting with the dog and his/her foster mommy/daddy. Before you take your dog home we will perform a homecheck. We finalize the adoption with an adoption contract. The adoption fee is $350. If you adopt a second dog within 3 months, the adoption fee for the second dog is $250.

Keep looking at our list of available dogs - it's constantly being updated. We get lots of wonderful dogs in. Also, be sure to look at our courtesy page - these are non-OBG cockers where you can contact the dogs owner or shelter directly and arrange for a meeting. If you are unsure of what dog might be right for you or your family please contact us. We can have a volunteer call you and discuss what might be best for your situation.

When looking for the right dog for you, we have the following creed: "Don't focus on age, looks or gender - focus on personality and temperament". The reason for this is simple: Many people come to a show looking for a 1 or 2 year old, and have ruled out any dog that's older. This is usually a mistake. Most 1 -2 year old dogs that have come to our group are usually a prior owner's "failed experiment". They typically have been neglected, unsocialized, not housebroken and have lots of energy. They usually are very sweet and playful, but they are a handful and will need an expert dog owner who can commit time and energy to settle them down. Is that person you? Probably not. And since the dogs personality hasn't fully developed yet, there is no guarantee how it will turn out. Consequently, most young OBG dogs may not be suitable for first time dog owners; they need experienced owners to work with them.

Dogs that are 4-5 years and older usually are, calmer, better socialized - and have settled into their personality and temperament. Typically, these dogs come to OBG through no fault of their own; the previously family may have moved, divorced, or simply got bored with them. So with the older dogs, what you see is what you get, and with our foster system in most cases we can tell you exactly what the dog is like. Typically, most OBG dogs that are 4-5 years or older are better suited to inexperienced dog owners. Older dogs adapt very quickly to new loving families. Most OBG volunteers prefer the older dogs when getting a dog for their own.

Also, many people come to shows looking for a dog with specific coloring, with the impression that certain colors (e.g. Black or Buff) always have specific personality types. Or, they want a female or a male because they think one has a more desirable personality traits. Wrong!!! Personality really has nothing to do with color or gender. You really need to evaluate each dog as an individual. Don't stereotype them!!

OBG holds adoption shows at local DC area Petsmarts and other locations on most weekends. Click here for a list of our upcoming shows. It's a good way to meet several dogs at once. When attending our shows, there's a few things to keep in mind:

If you have a interest in a specific dog, contact us. Not all our dogs attend each show.

Download our application form, fill it out and bring it to the show. That will save time.

Adoption shows are usually stressful for the dogs, so they are not necessarily all going to run up and lick you in the face and wag their tails like mad! Cockers are very attached to their owners, consequently at the shows they are typically trying to stay as close to their foster volunteer as possible and they may just politely ignore you. Don't hold this against them, all the love you see them showering on their foster volunteer will transfer to you very quickly.

If you already have a dog, you should bring it to the show to see how the two dogs interact. Dogs have opinions too, and the nicest dogs in the world may just decide that they don't like each other. Don't worry if the two dogs don't instantly fall over each other in a wagging licking frenzy. If they just do a courteous sniff and wag, and then wander away, that's fine. The point is to make sure they don't start growling and snapping at each other.

Prior to the adoption an OBG volunteer will perform a home check, or arrange for a home check by another rescue organization. We take the home check process seriously, and if we have doubts we will err on the side of the dog - we want to make sure that the new home will be a "forever home". Please note the following:

We ask that all members of the household be present at the home check. We are very interested in making sure that all members of the household are interested and enthusiastic in the adoption.

If you rent, we will ask to see a copy of your lease to verify that pets are allowed.

Depending on the dog, we do not always mandate that you have a fenced in back yard. We will check to see if existing fencing is secure.

This process may seem a bit onerous, but please don't take it personally, we are simply focusing on making sure that our OBG dogs get a happy "forever home". We have turned down applicants based upon the homecheck, and we reserve the right to do so.

As part of the adoption agreement we require that you have the dog checked by your vet. We will turn over all our medical and an any prior records that came with the dog. We want you to be comfortable with the health of your dog, and if there any issues discovered by your vet, we will refund the fee or work with you to find another dog. Also, as part of the contract, if for any reason you must give up your cocker, it must come back to OBG. When a cocker comes through OBG, it always has a home with us.

Cockers, even the older ones, will adjust very quickly to a new home. But there is an adjustment period. It's best to remember that the dog may be confused and slightly traumatized for at least the first day. If you have any questions during the adjustment period, please feel free to contact us at any time.

It's often best to bring the dog home at the beginning of a weekend, or when someone will be home with it for a few days until the work schedule starts up again. Don't bring a dog home on days where there is likely to be a lot commotion in the house (e.g. party, lots of visitors).

Even if your new cocker is supposed to be housebroken, there are likely to be a few accidents as it gets adjusted to it's new home. Be patient. When you leave the dog alone in the house, we suggest that you confine it to one room; it's less likely to have an accident if it doesn't have the run of the house. Then gradually give it more and more access over a one-two month period.

If you have other animals, for the first month it's best to keep them separated when they are left alone. This is just a precaution while they get used to each other. Baby gates usually work well in sectioning off areas, and it allows the cocker to see what's going on so they are less stressed.

If you have another dog in the house, initially feed them in separate locations or rooms where they won't get in each others food bowls. Also be careful with rawhide or other coveted chew toys. Many fights between otherwise friendly dogs are over food and chew toys. This is not unusual. In the long term they may be fine eating side by side, but cockers are notorious food stealers, so watch out! When in doubt, it's best to just feed them separately. Also, remember that cat food is not good for dogs, so keep the cat food where the dogs can't get to them.

Many dogs when placed in a new home, will initially have some degree of separation anxiety when they are first left alone. They may bark or cry until you return. This is not unusual; they are still unsure of their new environment. Usually, this disappears after a few weeks and they get more comfortable. If it persists, contact us or consult your vet - there are now some excellent medications that can help "take the edge off" the dogs anxiety.

Even if your new dog comes with a stellar recommendation on it's interaction with children, always supervise any introduction and initial socialization with young family members or any other children who may be "visiting". Please keep this in mind with visiting nieces, nephews, grandchildren etc; make sure that the dog is comfortable with them (especially if there's a bunch of them running around), and that they know how to treat the dog. Even the nicest cocker doesn't want it's ears pulled, nor does it want several screaming kids chasing it. Remember that cockers are usually pigs with food, so it's never a good idea to have a child walking around with food - the dog may try and grab it. Also, if the dog has a chew tow that it especially covets, put it away if any kids are around. This is true for all dogs.

Finally, and we can't emphasize this enough, never leave your dog unsupervised with young children. This is true with all dogs, not just cockers. We are always amazed at the stories that accompany dogs that are turned into OBG - the dog was left alone with visiting nieces and nephews who decided to have an ear pulling contest. Young children should always be supervised, and especially so if there is a dog around.

OBG takes in cockers regardless of age. We've found that our senior friends are calmer, laid back and generally very sweet wonderful companions. They often have plenty of energy, love to go walks (although maybe not real long ones!), and get along with everybody and everything. Typically they are in very good shape, notwithstanding a few old age creaks, bumps and a little clouding in the eyes, and have good years left. The average life span for a cocker is 12-14 years, and we've had many that live longer. An 8 year old cocker could easily have 6 or 7 years left, which frankly is longer than most people stay in their first home. In addition to the standard Vet checkup, all of our mature and senior dogs now receive a blood panel which helps to assess it's overall medical condition.

Many people come to a show looking for a 1 or 2 year old, and have ruled out any dog that's older. This is usually a mistake. Most 1 -2 year old dogs that have come to our group have usually been neglected, are unsocialized, not housebroken and have lots of energy. They are very sweet and playful, but they are a handful and will need an expert dog owner who can commit time and energy to settle them down. Is that person you? Probably not. And since the dogs personality hasn't fully developed yet, there is no guarantee how it will turn out. Older dogs are usually better socialized - and have settled into their personality and temperament. So with the older dogs, what you see is what you get, and with our foster system in most cases we can tell you exactly what the dog is like.

Seniors adjust very well to new homes, in fact, we suspect they fully understand their situation, and seem to go out of their way to show their appreciation to their new owners for giving them another chance. Many of us at OBG prefer senior dogs when it comes to getting a dog for our own, and believe that there's no love like the unconditional love you'll receive from a rescued senior dog.

If you are having serious issues with your cocker, please contact us, often we can help work through the situation.

For whatever reason, if you decide that you must give up your cocker, we will take it back; in fact we insist on it. Please keep in mind that the adoption fee is non refundable, but on a case-by-case basis we may work to place another dog with you at no charge.

Many people ask us about the characteristics of cocker spaniels, and we usually reply that cockers are like people, they all have different personalities and it's best not to stereotype them.

Cockers are usually happy sweet dogs. They are full of personality, usually playful with bright expressive faces and are individuals: no two are alike. They are not boring, even the ones that are relatively calm. They will make you laugh one way or another. They have medium energy compared to other breeds and are not typically hyperactive.

Cockers are very devoted to their owners and families; very people oriented. Some are lap dogs, some love to give you kisses, some will hang out under the coffee table, but virtually all of them want to be wherever you are.

Cockers are generally considered to be easy to train, although it varies with each dog. Since they love their owners and are interested in pleasing you, and they love treats, they usually respond well to persuasive obedience training. The older dogs will have no problems responding to your guidance if you are firm and consistent with them.

Cockers are masters at eye contact, so they will stare you down and beg for food or treats. They are great at acting as if they are about to die from starvation. As with most breeds, you must be firm about the amount of food you give them, otherwise they will just eat and eat and get fat. So be firm!!

While it varies with each dog, cockers typically have medium energy compared on to other breeds. They do require exercise; a good walk each day or quality backyard time will do fine. Our OBG dogs that have lower to medium energy will do fine in an apartment, other higher energy dogs are best in a large house with a good yard. Usually our older dogs tend to be fairly calm, and the very young dogs can have a lot of energy. Our volunteers will be very interested in making sure that the energy level of a specific dog matches well with your lifestyle: this is easily the most critical element to a successful adoption.

The average female weighs around 25 pounds, the average male 30. But we've had them come in from 15 to 50 pounds. If you have a lease restriction for pets under 25 pounds (we get this question a lot) we can work with you to place one of our smaller dogs. The average height at the shoulder is around 15 inches. The average life span is 12-14 years.

Cockers come in a variety of colors: Solid colors (Black, Chocolate, Red, Buff). Two or Parti - colored which is Black/White and Brown/White. We've also seen Tri-Colored and Sable (Brown with Black tips). There's no correlation between color and temperament or personality.

Most cockers had their tail docked when they were puppies, so they have a very short tail which usually waggles very fast. Tail docking goes back to the inception of the breed and probably was done so they would not get caught in the underbrush while flushing out birds (specifically woodcock - which is where the name came from). However, we are seeing more cockers come in through rescue with long un-docked tails. In England tail docking is now illegal.

We get asked this a lot! Piddling or submissive wetting is not a cocker trait, but is simply something that can occur with any dog, regardless of breed, that has a very submissive personality. It typically occurs when the dog greets someone at the door (especially someone new), and releases a small amount, which is a dogs way of saying "ok you're the boss!". The vast majority of the cockers we've seen are not submissive wetters. If one of our dogs is, we will let you know, and give you instructions on how to avoid it (primarily by taking them outside to pee before people come over.) In the long run, submissive wetting is usually not a issue, especially in light of the many other advantageous of owning a submissive (or non-alpha) dog. It knows that you are the boss!

Cockers need a medium amount of care and maintenance; primarily the coat, the ears and the eyes. It's not a lot, but it is important. Otherwise, a healthy dog can start having medical issues. This is true of all dogs.

Cockers need to be regularly bathed and groomed; typically every 6-8 weeks. This should include nail clipping. It's usually best to have this done by a professional groomer - the typical cost is $40 - $50 per visit. While a typical cocker cut has longer hair that forms a "skirt" around the legs, a shorter "puppy cut" can be more practical and more comfortable for the dog, especially in the summer. Cockers can be susceptible to skin conditions; good regular grooming is the key to eliminate this issue. You should also brush them at least twice a week.

Cockers, due to their long ears, can be prone to ear infections. They also can be prone to minor eye infections. Simple regular inspections and occasional preventative ear and eye care will keep these from turning into medical issues.

Cockers are average shedders. If you groom them regularly and brush them several times a week, you should not see much hair around your house.

OBG strongly recommends, in addition to the required shots and vaccines, that you put your dog on year round heartworm preventative and have your dog vaccinated against lyme disease. We have seen far too many dogs come into rescue with these ailments. Each summer since 2002 has been especially rampant with heartworm. Even if your dog is an indoor dog that only goes outside for walks and to go potty, it can pick these diseases up very quickly. As always, check with your vet before beginning any preventative treatment program to see if it is appropriate for your dog.

Bringing a dog into your home requires a commitment, and that includes a financial commitment. You should expect the following annual expenses for a cocker:

Good Quality Dog Food: $30 per month	$360
Grooming: 6 visits per year @ $50 per visit	$300
Heartworm & Flea Preventative: $10 per month	$120
Annual Vet Exam / Routine Shots	$250
Total Annual Cost	$1,030

Does this amount make you flinch? Then you should not be thinking about getting a dog! Keep in mind that this doesn't include any additional vet bills for significant ailments.

If you have no choice but to give up your cocker, please contact us by filling out and submitting our on-line give up request form . As a first step, we can post your dog's picture and bio to our courtesy page, where interested adopters can contact you directly. Many dogs get placed this way. A good picture and an informative, honest bio is important.

If you are outside of the Mid-Atlantic area, we cannot take your dog. We have far too many dogs within the Mid-Atlantic area to handle. But click here for other groups in your area that can help. We also can post your dog to our courtesy page - we post dogs available from across the country on the courtesy page.

Our foster homes are always full, and we have a waiting list. When contacting us, please do not expect us to immediately respond to your request or to immediately take your dog. We get 10-20 inquiries per day from owners wanting to give up their dog.

We are not an animal sanctuary. For example, if you have a 13 + year old dog that is in poor health, it will be very very difficult for us to find a new loving home for your dog. Those are the cold hard facts. With advanced seniors and medical issues we ask that you reconsider - can't you spend a little more time and help your friend through it's final years?

While we have volunteers that perform transport, please do not expect us to drive long distances to pick up your dog.

We have limited funds and resources. Please be honest with us on the medical condition and temperament of your dog. If your dog is up to date on shots, please bring medical records or a certificate from your vet.

We are non-profit and all volunteer. Our volunteers spend evenings and weekends contributing to OBG, and have jobs and families. We simply cannot respond to every inquiry immediately.

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When arrangements have been finalized, you will need to download and complete our Surrender Form in its entirety; the more information we have on your dog’s history and temperament, the better we will be able to place it. Bring the completed Surrender Form and all medical forms with you when we arrange a meeting or pick up. Do not mail us the surrender form.

OBG is limited by the amount of space in our foster volunteer homes. Our "inventory" is typically over 100 dogs. Unfortunately, we always have a "waiting list", but will work with you to help your dog. OBG is a no-kill rescue organization. We rarely euthanize, and then only for severe medical (e.g: terminal conditions when the animal is suffering) or extreme behavioral issues. We never euthanize dogs because they are "too old" or because they've been with us for "too long". OBG dogs always have a home with us, and some have lived out their remaining days in loving foster homes never having been placed, but happy nonetheless.