Cocker spaniels make excellent pets because of their cheerful and playful nature.cocker spaniels are easy to train, especially when they are puppies.It will take a lot of repetition, patience, and positive reinforcement to train a cocker spaniel.He will become a well-behaved pet in time.
Step 1: Pick out a crate for your dog.
crate training is an important part of training your cocker spaniel.Your dog will see his crate as a place of refuge and relaxation when it is done properly.Plastic, fabric, and metal are some of the materials used in pet crates.Rent a crate from your local animal shelter if your dog is a puppy because he will eventually outgrow it.As he grows, you will not have to purchase new crates.The crate should have enough room for your dog to stand up and turn around.It's a good idea to take your dog with you when you look at crates.
Step 2: The crate should be comfortable for your dog.
If the crate looks inviting to your dog, he will want to spend time inside.Put the crate in a common area in your house, such as the family room, and place comfortable bedding inside of it.Some of his toys can be played in the crate.You can take the door off of the crate to make it more inviting to your dog.It may take a few days for your dog to get used to the crate.Don't force him to be comfortable with it at a certain point.
Step 3: Feed your dog his food.
When feeding your dog, put his food bowl in the crate.He will need to walk into the crate to eat if he puts the food bowl near the back of it.Move his food bowl closer to the front of the crate if he is not comfortable walking all the way back.You can slide the food bowl back inside the crate as he becomes more comfortable.He will eventually be able to walk all the way to the crate to eat his meals.Close the crate's door when he is inside to eat.It should be left closed for the amount of time it takes him to eat.The door should be closed for 10 minutes after he's finished eating.Wait until he stops complaining and opens the door.If you open the door while he whines, he will learn that it's a way to get out of the crate.
Step 4: Put your dog in a crate for 30 minutes.
Your cocker spaniel will need to learn how to be comfortable in his crate for longer periods of time after he is comfortable eating in it.He should be encouraged to go into his crate by pointing to it and saying "kennel." When he gets inside, give him a treat and close the door.Stay near the crate for about 5 to 10 minutes, and then go to another room where he can't see you for a while.When you return, stay near the crate for a few minutes and let him out.If he starts complaining, don't let him out.Let him know that he did a good job when you reward him.When he can't see you, your dog may need up to several weeks to become comfortable with staying in his crate for 30 minutes.
Step 5: When you leave home, crate your dog.
Encourage your dog to enter his crate before you leave.Reward him with a treat, close the crate door, and leave quietly.It's important that you don't prolong your departure or make it too emotional.Stay calm when you approach his crate to let him out.The calmer you are when you leave and return, the calmer your dog will be.You don't want him to think that your departure and arrival are anxiety-inducing.Leave the house for 20 to 30 minutes.If your dog becomes more comfortable with being left alone in a crate, you may be able to leave home for longer periods of time.If you crate him while you are at home, he won't associate crate time with being left alone.
Step 6: If you want your dog to go to the bathroom, choose an outdoor spot.
Since your dog will not want to relieve himself in the area where he stays inside the house, crate training can go hand-in-hand with potty training.Give him some freedom to choose where he wants to go when you take him outside.He may choose something other than grass, such as soil or mulch.He should be steered away from areas that are not appropriate, such as your neighbor's yard or your plants.It may not be necessary to take him out on the leash if you have a fenced-in backyard.He is supposed to go to the bathroom in the backyard.Take him to this spot whenever you take him outside on the leash to go to the bathroom.
Step 7: He should be given the "potty" command.
Wait for him to go when you are at the designated bathroom spot.He may not understand the command right away.Reward him with a treat after he goes to the bathroom.Take him back inside and wait for 15 minutes if he doesn't go to the bathroom after a while.During the 15-minute wait period, keep his leash on him.Take him back to the same spot.He needs to go to the bathroom outside.Reward him with a treat when he leaves.He should not go to the bathroom during the wait period.This could happen if your cocker spaniel is a puppy.It may take a lot of repetition for your dog to know that he should go to the bathroom outside.
Step 8: If he goes to the bathroom, do not punish him.
Cocker spaniels are very sensitive to punishment and do not want to be punished if they go to the bathroom inside.If you see him in the act of going to the bathroom, try to interrupt him by clapping loudly with your hands.Pick him up, carry him, or walk him on the leash and take him to the bathroom as quickly as possible.Don't punish him when you get back inside.A medical issue may cause your cocker spaniel to relieve himself inside.He can be examined for underlying medical conditions if he goes to the bathroom consistently despite potty training.
Step 9: Know when your dog needs to go to the bathroom.
When your cocker spaniel needs to relieve himself, he will let you know.He may start complaining when he is inside to let you know that he needs to go outside.If he starts doing this, take him out as soon as possible.He may start looking for the perfect spot to go if you are outside on a walk.It may not be practical to make it back to his regular bathroom spot in time if you are out on a long walk.If this is the case, let him go to the bathroom where you are and pick up his waste.
Step 10: Take your dog out on a regular basis.
He will need to go to the bathroom at the same time each day if he is fed on a regular schedule.Cocker spaniels have small bladders, so you may need to take him out several times a day to relieve himself.If your schedule doesn't allow for you to take your dog out frequently, consider having a dog walker take you out when you are not home.
Step 11: Pick a leash and collar for your dog.
You can purchase a leash and collar at your local pet store if you haven't already done so.Four or six feet is the length of the leash.A regular snap or buckle collar can be used.If you want to train your cocker spaniel to walk on a leash, you should use a body harness, choke collar, or pinch collar.The leash needs to be non-retractable.A retractable leash can encourage your dog to pull.
Step 12: You shouldFamiliarize your cocker spaniel with his collar.
If your cocker spaniel is a puppy, it's important that he doesn't have anything on his neck.This step won't be necessary for an adult cocker spaniel.When your puppy is distracted by something else, place the collar around his neck.If he tries to take it off, keep the collar on him.When he tries to take it off himself, you will encourage him to get his collar off.The collar should be removed when he is playing or eating.Before you put your puppy back in his crate, you should remove the collar.
Step 13: Get your dog on a leash.
If he is a puppy, he may not be comfortable with his leash being attached to his collar.Attach something small to his collar, such as a piece of string or shoelace, if this is the case.Attach and remove the leash when your puppy is distracted by something else.If you have attached a leash to your cocker spaniel, do not leave him unattended.If the leash gets caught on something, it could cause serious injury to your dog.
Step 14: Your dog is on a leash.
The goal is to walk your dog on a leash.If he goes ahead of you and pulls on the leash, immediately stop walking.When you stop, your dog will walk back towards you.He should sit once he has reached your side.Once he is sitting, reward him with a treat and walk again.Continue walking with your dog.Practice the red and green light actions if he pulls again.It will probably take several walking sessions before your cocker spaniel learns not to pull on the leash.Provide him with treats when he walks beside you.If he pulls to sniff something or go to the bathroom, don't give him a reward.When you are walking with your dog, make sure to keep the leash loose.If you hold the leash too tightly, your dog will pull.If you want him to go, don't pull on the leash yourself.