Training Cocker Spaniel Puppies

The best time to start training Cocker Spaniel puppies is the first time that you interact with your new pet. Training doesn’t have to be divided into a special routine, teaching the basics can be done whenever you are around the puppy. Since the Cocker Spaniel breed is so lovable and enjoys being around people they are naturally very easy to train and highly interested in pleasing their owners, a great combination for both experienced and new dog owners alike.

Training Cocker Spaniel puppies to come is a very natural process and uses the puppy’s own behavior to your advantage. Every time you enter the room or area where the puppy is simply say his or her name and the “come” command. The puppy will naturally move towards you, then reward him or her with a small food treat and lots of praise and attention when they come over. Even if the puppy is relatively close to you or has already started to run towards you give the command anyway and provide the reinforcement.

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When working with Cocker Spaniel puppies be sure to always use the same words or word for the command and include their name. In other words it is always “Rex Come ” or “Coco Come “, of course depending on your puppy’s name, to help them understand that they have a unique name. You can either use the dog’s name before or after the command, but using it before cues them that a command is about to happen.  Say the puppy’s name clearly, wait until they look at you, then give the command. Making eye contact with the dog is a great way to ensure that when training the puppy they are focused on you and not something else in the room.

Once the puppy has mastered the come command, the next command in line is the “sit” command. Training Cocker Spaniel puppies to come and immediately sit is an excellent way to prevent jumping problems or other potentially problematic behaviors from developing later on. Sitting is also important for leash training and training the down and stay command, so it needs to be taught early and completely mastered before moving on to other commands.

Training Cocker Spaniel puppies the sit command requires a small food treat. A piece of boiled chicken or beef is a healthy option but small organic or natural dog treats will also work. Use only a tiny treat and fade them out as soon as possible. Get down on your knees and call the puppy over using his or her name and the come command. Say the puppy’s name again and ensure they are looking up at you. At the same time hold the treat in your fingers at a level just above the puppy’s nose so they know it is in your hand. Slide the treat back towards the center of their head just above the top of the skull. The nose will lift up and follow your hand and the puppy will naturally squat down with the hindquarters in the sit position. As soon as the nose goes up and the bottom goes down give the “sit” command and provide the treat.

Using these simple natural behaviors in training Cocker Spaniel puppies ensures that the learning is very natural, easy and very positive for your puppy. Over time increase the verbal praise and decrease the food treats for tricks and commands already mastered.