Training a Cocker Spaniel

Discussion in 'General Discussion' started by dazzle, Nov 6, 2011.

  1. Anyone had one before and trained one? We got ours about a month ago and he is around 15 weeks old. Vibrant and energetic little thing and has the potential to become a great dog.

    I worry though that im not training him correctly. Im armed with a well rated dog training book but my dog seems to be more in to driving me crazy rather than be taught how to behave. I know he is a puppy and i have to accept that he will behave like one but with the kids about i cant be dealing with the nipping. We have 2 kongs which he is slowly getting in to and leash training is going ok but could be a lot better. The only thing we have down is the toiletting. Just wondered if anyone has any helpful tips.
     
  2. Can they be trained ! My mate has 2 they are mental! ;D ;D
     
  3. Well if it doesnt pan out at least i'll know i'm not the only one :))
     
  4. It depends what you want out of him! Are you after a nice family pet or something else? what stock did he come from (working or show?) and how much time have you on your hands at the moment?

    Repetition repetition repetition is the best advice for a puppy and always make sure you do everything the same day in day out. Any change in your training/ routine will cause confusion in him and you can quickly loose what you had through confusion in the him! :(

    Out of interest what book do you have?


    I always like a pet dog to be a happy smelly dog with a bit of free spirit but thats my thoughts on pets. Some like them dialed in like a worker. Its personal preference and depends on how much time you put in at this early stage!

    If you let me know each issue you have I can try and give you pointers as you go along if that would help! :) :)
     
  5. Free sprit is that what barneys got do you think woof woof or just a loud bark
     
  6.  
  7. Lol
    He might not come back when he s off his lead and pulls a lot when on it and he does the barking but I know he s good with my kids and won't hurt them (he does knock em over a lot )on purpose and that's the most important thing
     
  8. Put a small section of bungee cord between the end of the lead and his collar
    It soon helps to stop them pulling

    Or every time he pulls stop and walk backwards three steps then carry on forward again

    Dogs need routine so try and do his walks at the same time everyday
     
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  10. matty

    matty Supporter

    15 weeks is a bit young to expect a spaniel to be trainable just keep constancy in his routine and do the basics like sit and leave it

    I would enrol him into a school nearby as being with outher dogs and you with outher owner help.
    If you are keen on having a well trained dog you can send them to a gundog school and he will come back fully trained.
     
  11. Terrordales

    Terrordales Nightshift

    ^^^ whs
    Cockers are eminently trainable, start with the basics .... sit, stay, down, come etc. A local dog training group will be helpful & will be good socialisation for the pup.
     
  12. yes you need to get him out there and in the middle of other dogs
    thats one regret i have with barney is he was very social
    but when he kids came along he just did nt get out as much :(
     
  13. Cheers for the tips peeps. Damm thing is driving me mad. Luckily i have some time off work which wasnt planned as such so now can get to grips with him and give it a fair crack.
     
  14. Be strict all of the time. My girlfriend has an 18 month ago working cocker / springer cross and it's mad! She walks all over my girlfriend, pulls on the lead, barks at her when she can't get her own way etc. I'm pretty strict and walk her ass off and she usually behaves for me. I constantly row with the girlfriend as she says that I'm too strict!!! Good luck :)

    [​IMG]
     
  15. Even though yours comes from show stock, you have to remember that Cockers are working dogs and they need to be worked, this doesn't have to be under the gun, it could be anything - agility for example or even simply teaching them to find a ball in the garden. The important thing is to keep them busy.
     
  16. I am kinda strict and sometimes think im over doing it slightly but i have no patience when it comes to naughtiness and bad behaviour. I walk him twice a day and exercise him by playing fetch each hour and command work etc so trying the burn out route. Seemingly having a better day today so whether the crate training is working i dont know. He's one of those dogs that you get good work from him but then he just reverts back in to mad behaviours and seems to forget even though we keep repetition of his training going. Got some time off work so hoping to get this dog singing my tune in the time im off. I have been looking up some dog training classes so will try to get him to a few of those also.

    Springers are off the hook mate. Brother In Law has one and its as loopy as anything.
     
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  18. Start simple and start with the basics. First first get your family together and decide your commands. remember the dog carnt understand what you are saying its just tone definition so each command has to sound unique. remember barabara! ;)

    A nice high pitch sit with a crisp t!!

    A strong low down

    and for recall come or heee ya! (my prefered cos you can extend the heeee and give the ya a bang.

    Once you all know then stick to them and try and avoid too much chitter chatter so the dog gets used to if your saying something it needs to be responding!

    next get a hand signal for each. If you hold you lead in your right hand but have the dog to your left side stick to this when on the lead and make sure you compel the dog to be there. hard at first but stick with it it makes the rest easier if the dog knows what side to be at. Practice the commands on the lead at first then when you say sit (nice and high tone remember! ;)) lift your right hand which will hold his head up and naturally help him understand the sit command. this gives you a right hand raise hand signal for the sit! ;) Always lots of praise when he gets it right a treat a fuss something he likes.
    the down follows that you point to the floor with your leead hand this will help move his head down and get the down position again with the praise.

    For the recall go with open arms to each side. this will direct the dog to your feet when you are doing it off the lead but start with it on the lead and you can direct him to you with the lead until he understands. again with praise you want him to want to ollow your comands because he enjoys it not through force.

    the hand signals are to assist the dog as at the start he may hear you not understand but he will naturally look so in effect your giving him twice the command! bonus ;)

    make sure all family members practice it for a short time each day start very small a couple of goes and as he gets older you can prgress the time scale so he doesnt get bored. And remember repetition repetition repetition! :)

    The biting is probably through puppy excitement and thats where your cage time outs or when you have a good control position (usually the down) will help him understand your not happy with his behavior and he has to stop be controlled before the fun can start again.

    by each of your family members practicing the commands you will get where they can all walk him safely and it also reinforces his position in the pack (right down at the bottom! :() this will again help with preventing unwanted behavior ie biting!

    As said before spaniels are workers originally and its still in there head even after years of show breading so i can sort some fun games to train in him when you get the basics firmly sorted. We had one that when he went out the back dorr would run to a hedge and just run round and round it! so much so he formed ruts in the grass. this was just his desire to put birds up out the bush somethin that was eventually solved by cutting down the bush! :eek:

    The start is the hardest part but the more time you put in and by doing it daily he will eventually twig and from that point the fun can start.

    Oh and for the first steps make sure you practice yourobedience in the same location because changes in location can cause confusion in the dogs understanding in the commands (you wouldnt belive it but it does!! :eek:) so until your think your getting somewhere with the commands dont change the location where you practice.

    If you give this a start and let me know as problems develp and i shold be able to help you along the way a little. Unfortunately there is no definite answer for every dog and some things works for one but not for others its just finding the best or you dog! :) :)

    Bit long winded but i hope you get the idea! :D
     
  19. Woodylubber

    Woodylubber Obsessive compulsive name changer

    Good post :smiley_dog_kiss: :yeah that:
     
  20. Forgot to say after practising your commands have a mahoosive play!! If he likes a ball get him right into fetch. It will tire him out and also help later on with some fun games! ;) ;)

    If he is reluctant to give the ball back use 2 so you can bribe him with the second but always use the first he drops that way he will get used to dropping the ball for you! Again use a command when you want it so he gets used to you telling him a command and his response gets what he wants (another game of fetch!! ;D)

    And it has to be tonally different to your other commands! ::) Out is good! short sharp and can be as loud as you like! :) :)
     

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