How to Train a Cocker Spaniel Puppy

By Rena Sherwood

Instructions

Things You’ll Need:

Vet
Collar
Lead
Microchip
Toys
Enzyme cleaner for accidents
Grooming tools

Step 1:
Choose where the puppy will urinate and defecate before bringing the puppy home. Before you bring the puppy inside, place the puppy down at the designated area and keep the puppy there until it eliminates. Since cocker spaniel puppy bladders are very small, this won't take long.
Step 2:
Introduce your puppy to brushes, combs and bathing as soon as possible to get it familiar with the routine. The training sessions only need to be a minute or so at first and then gradually get longer. Cocker spaniels have coats that need constant grooming or they will mat up easily. Also flip the ears back every other day to let them air out or ear infections may occur.
Step 3:
Microchip your cocker spaniel and make sure it gets to the vet within the first week of bringing it home. Cocker spaniels are much sought after and, sadly, dognapped. Microchipping can greatly improve your chance of getting the puppy back. According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, cocker spaniels are prone to many illnesses, so getting your puppy used to the vet now can help out in a medical emergency later.
Step 4:
Keep the cocker spaniel puppy inside of the home. It does not do well living outside by itself and will howl and pick up bad habits out of frustration.
Step 5:
Introduce a collar and lead to your puppy as soon as you can. Keep watch over it while it has the collar on to make sure it doesn't get a hind leg caught in it. Start short walking sessions with the lead and gradually work into longer walks. Verbal praise, playing with favorite toys and treats keep a cocker spaniel puppy's attention focused on you.

Tips & Warnings

Puppies have short attention spans. Training sessions of five or 10 minutes a few times a day will get more accomplished than one half-hour training session per day.Make sure your puppy gets a walk every day, because cocker spaniels are full of energy. Get your puppy spayed or neutered when it is 6 months old. This helps keeps it from wandering, makes it more responsive to training and prevents cancer of the reproductive organs.
Never rub your puppy's face in urine or feces. All this teaches your cocker spaniel is that you unpredictably do cruel things. This will make it afraid of you and may make it bite you in fear. If you discover an accident in the home, just clean it up without any fuss.Never hit your puppy. Cocker spaniels are sensitive and physically fragile. A harsh tone of voice is more than enough to show that you are displeased.

Resources

The Pet Owner's Guide to Cocker Spaniels

Photo/Video Credit

Image from Wikimedia Commons

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