Obedience Training is simply teaching your dogs to obey a couple of well-rehearsed commands. A well-behaved Cocker Spaniel will thrive when it knows how to behave within its boundaries.
You can decide to hire a trainer, send your dog to a training school, or teach your dog by yourself. Whichever way you choose, the result should be a healthy, happy, balanced dog and owner. Do not forget that a well-trained dog is an advantage to itself and its owner.
Tips for Cocker Spaniel Obedience Training
Cocker Spaniels are a very joyful and inquisitive dog breed which makes them easy to train. If you decide to train your Cockers yourself, here are a few tips to start you on your journey.
Start early
The best time to train your dog is as early as possible. From 6 weeks, you can introduce some simple training and commands but take note that some days are better than others, and you should not force your dog to do what it doesn’t want to do. Before you start, determine your dog’s personality to dictate what path your training should take. You should also teach them to avoid other dogs from a very early stage as well.
Read as many materials as possible to ensure you have enough knowledge. Decide on the kind of equipment you need, collar, leashes, treats, clickers, or whistles. Training your dog, and yourself helps you bond and build commitment to each other.
Be consistent
It is one thing to start training your dog, but it is another to be consistent with it. Set up a new puppy schedule that works for you and keep doing it. Make the training sessions as fun as possible. However, you should note that it is not just about learning commands only, but about integrating your cocker spaniel into your everyday life. Even after the dog has mastered the training, you should continue reinforcing the commands every day until the dog knows how to act in situations.
Prioritize bonding and respect
Be firm with your dog but be fair. Realize that you are the leader of the pack and act as such. Your dog needs you to care for him, feed him and provide him the necessities. When you do this, it makes him trust and respect you. During training, always correct your dog when they make mistakes. Don’t be harsh, it’s one of the common Cocker Spaniel training mistakes that might discourage your Cocker Spaniel. Interrupt bad behavior and distract him with a toy or another activity. When you do it lovingly, your dog begins to trust and respect you. The time you spend together encourages bonding.
Emphasize positive reinforcement
When training your cocker spaniel, always emphasize positive reinforcement, offer treats when they obey, praise them, give them belly rubs, play the games they love, and take them on walks. This conditions your dog to associate the treats with good behavior. Employ positive reinforcement every time of the day but the best time to do so is when teaching basic commands like sit, heel, down, stay, and come. These basic commands are some of the first things your dog learns to ensure it is safe. After these, you can then graduate to teaching more advanced commands such as fetch, roll, jump, etc.
Start with a calm dog
A well-fed, happy dog is the best recipient of obedience training. Always start in a calm environment free from distractions (which can present as noises, people, or even other dogs). Keep the sessions short and fun, and never forget to commend your dog for a job well done!
Starting Obedience Training on your Cocker Spaniel can seem like an uphill task, especially as it is one of the first training your dog receives. But it always pays in the end when you look forward to other training like essential command training, potty training, crate training, etc. Sticking with it ensures that you get a healthy and happy dog and a happy home for yourself. No dog is impossible to train. It just requires patience and consistency.
Final Thoughts
Obedience training is crucial for Cocker Spaniels to become well-behaved and happy pets. By using these tips owners can effectively train their dogs to follow commands and behave appropriately in different situations.
Leave A Comment