Cocker Spaniel Training
The Cocker Spaniel is one of the beloved dog breeds around the world that is kept as a companion. It was bred as a hunting dog but today they are more popular and loved as a companion dog. It has a smart, gentle, and loving temperament that is suited to a loving family.
It is a very smart and obedient dog, so it can be trained without much difficulty in the right hand. All your Cocker Spaniel needs is your patience, consistency, and positive method of training. In this article, you will learn the different methods to train your dog.
When to Start Training Cocker Spaniel?
Start training your Cocker Spaniel as soon as you bring it home which makes training easy and effective. When it is still a puppy, it will soak up commands fast and are willing to please the owner. So, training your dog when they are young is the right time to start teaching them basics like obedience, potty training, and socialization.
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For advance and agility, your Cocker Spaniel should reach puberty and also complete the basic training. It loves challenges as agility stimulates their mind and keeps them contained. So, when your dog reaches 6 months old, start giving them advance training.
Where to Start Training Cocker Spaniel?
Cocker Spaniel is an easy-going breed, so training can be done at the comfort of the house. When it is a puppy that is learning basic tricks and commands, teach him at home with less distraction. Taking them out in a public place can be scary for them at a young age and also they will not be able to focus on training with all the distractions outside.
When the puppy grows to be an adult, you can take him out in the park for advanced training as they need more open space. As it loves challenges, try new activities to see what he loves more and involve that activity in his training. while taking them out in an open and crowded space, always keep him on a leash so he does not run off chasing some small animals unless you are confident to let him off-leash.
How to Define Task?
Defining the task to your Cocker Spaniel is to make him understand your language and what you want him to do. you can do that by using certain words for a certain task and make your dog understand by repeating them till he gets it. Quickly reward your dog with a treat as he completes a task so he gets what word is used for the particular task.
You can use hand and body gesture to make your pooch understand the task. For example, if you want to teach your Cocker Spaniel to rollover, do it yourself for sometime and he will repeat after you. Give him treats or praise him as soon as he completes the challenge.
Training Process
The Cocker Spaniel is a quick learner and a smart dog breed, so training them is not hard if you start early training and be consistent.
Leadership: Forming leadership upon your Cocker Spaniel is very important so he does not become dominant. it can be a bit stubborn sometimes, so be patient with it and never be harsh even if your dog makes some mistake. It will only terrify them and also it can make them become aggressive. So, always handle and train them gently.
Positive Reinforcement: Reward-based training is one of the most effective methods of training for your dog. They tend to learn quickly if they are rewarded after they complete a certain task. Therefore, reward your Cocker Spaniel with treats and praises as they complete a challenge. It will keep them motivated and focused on the training.
Agility: When it complete the basic training, start agility as Cocker Spaniel loves being challenged by new activities. It will keep their body active and mind stimulated.
Visit Doglime for more dog breed information and their training methods.
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