Puppy Obedience Training
And Dog Training Tips

Puppy obedience training results in well-behaved puppies that grow into manageable adult Cocker Spaniels.

Here, you'll discover some of the secrets to puppy and dog obedience training so you'll be able to try some of our puppy training tips for yourself!

Puppy obedience training will teach your puppy to respond to your commands such as sit, stand, come, down, stay, heel, and many more.

Obedience is one of the first stages in dog training, and is the first step towards a well-behaved puppy.

Teaching your puppy obedience training commands is easy - all you need is a little knowledge, patience and understanding.

If you haven't done so already, I recommend you read our article on Cocker Spaniel puppy training tips before you begin teaching your puppy the exercises described below.

Puppy Obedience Training - The 'Watch Me' Command

The 'Watch Me' command teaches your puppy to look at you, and pay attention to you, ignoring everything else around him. This training command can help to make all other puppy obedience training much easier for you and your dog.

By first asking your puppy to watch you, you will have your Cocker's full attention before beginning another exercise. Your Cocker Spaniel is much more likely to respond to your commands when he's paying full attention to you!

Learn how to teach your Cocker Spaniel The 'Watch' command to get your puppy's full attention whenever you need it!

Puppy Obedience Training - Recall

One of the most important commands you'll ever teach your puppy is the recall command because, at some point, it may be used to remove him from potential harm - it may even save his life!

However, teaching your Cocker to come back is probably one of the more difficult (but certainly not impossible) commands that you will ever teach your puppy.

Once you've taught your Cocker Spaniel to return to you on command, I recommend that you strengthen his recall by using this command in many different circumstances and situations, and as often as you can.

For example, it's fairly easy to get your Cocker puppy to come to you when you've a treat in your hand (and he can see or smell it), but getting him to come to you when he's playing with his favourite toy, and you've nothing better to offer him, is an entirely different matter!

Your aim is to make sure your puppy returns to you each time, and without hesitation.

No matter what he's up to, your Cocker must be so well-trained that he returns to you whenever you call him.

Learn more about recall and how to teach your puppy the 'Come' command.

Puppy Obedience Training - The 'Sit' Command

Teaching your puppy to sit on command is a very useful exercise as it can be used in many different situations.

It's a good discipline to have your Cocker sit while you put on his collar and lead, before you feed him, before opening the front door to visitors, or simply to allow you to walk through a doorway first.

Apart from putting your Cocker Spaniel into a calm, submissive state, the 'Sit' command will help to reinforce your status as the pack leader.

Puppy Obedience Training - The 'Down' Command

Another useful puppy obedience training command is the 'Down' command, especially if you have visitors with young children.

The 'Down' command can help to keep your dog calm and quiet.

It's best used in situations where your dog is jumping up at visitors or children.

Asking your puppy to lie 'down' can not only help prevent him from becoming too over-excited, it's calming effect may help to stop him from knocking over a young child!

When your dog is in the down position, he is in a submissive state, and your position as the pack leader (alpha dog) is reinforced.

Learn how to teach your puppy the 'Down' command.

Puppy Obedience Training - The 'Stand' Command

There will be many times when you want your puppy to stand for you; perhaps whilst grooming or bathing him, or while he's being checked over by his vet.

Your Cocker Spaniel puppy will need to learn how to 'Stand' on command if you intend to take him to obedience classes, or you plan to show him when he's older.

Puppy Obedience Training - The 'Be Quiet' Command

A barking puppy can at first seem cute, however, if it continues it can quickly become a nuisance and a learned behaviour that is difficult to stop.

One of the easiest ways to stop your puppy barking is to train him (early) to respond to the "Be Quiet" command - this may sound contradictory, but the aim is to train your puppy to bark and then teach him to stop barking!

A quiet Cocker Spaniel guaranteed!

Puppy Obedience Training - 'Wait' and 'Stay'

Wait and Stay are two different commands which can be used in different situations.

It's very important that you understand the difference between the two before you teach your puppy either of these commands, should you choose to use both.

These differences are explained here, as well as how to teach your puppy the 'Wait' and 'Stay' commands.

However, if you prefer to teach your puppy only one of these commands, you could simply use the 'Stay' command for all situations.

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The 'Down and Stay' Command

There will be many times when you just need your Cocker Spaniel to lie down and stay there until you're able to make a fuss of him or see to his needs.

For example, you've just come through the door, laden down with shopping, or you may want some peace and quiet while you unpack your shopping.

Or, you may just want some quiet time to yourself while you have that much needed cuppa!

Without sounding too obvious, the 'Down' and 'Stay' command is simply a combination of two commands.

The 'Down and Stay' command is very useful when your dog is unnecessarily boisterous or indulging in a little attention seeking behaviour!

It goes without saying that your Cocker Spaniel puppy must have mastered both the 'Down' and 'Stay' commands separately before you try and teach him to lie down and stay.

I think you'll be surprised at just how often you'll use this puppy obedience training command!

Puppy Obedience Training - The 'Drop It' Command

When you're training a puppy it's important that the "Drop It!" command is amongst the first few commands that you teach him.

There are a few good reasons for this, for example, your Cocker Spaniel puppy may pick up something unpleasant, something that you really don't want him to chew, or worse - something that could poison him!

There are many normal human foods that can be poisonous for your Cocker Spaniel. For example, did you know that chocolate is a seriously toxic food for dogs?

If your Cocker ever manages to get his paws on a bar of chocolate, (Easter-time is a particular problem with all those yummy chocolate eggs lying around!) it's important that you're able to get him to drop it immediately on command.

Teaching your puppy the "Drop It!" command as early as possible will prove very useful and could even keep him safe!

Puppy Obedience Training - The 'Leave It' Command

You may be surprised how much you use this command.

As an example, you may be out walking when your puppy sniffs out a dead and decomposing rabbit or something equally unpleasant, something which you wouldn't want him to touch let alone eat or roll in - which, of course, he will almost certainly try to do!

The 'Leave It' Command will ensure your puppy doesn't go near it, but continues on his walk with you.

Clicker Training

Clicker training is an alternative method of communicating with, training, and rewarding your dog - it's scientific name is 'operant conditioning'.

A clicker is a small plastic or metal device with a metal strip which, when pressed, makes the sound of a click.

It's used as a positive reinforcement in the same way a treat would be used to confirm a wanted behaviour from your dog.

As with all reward based training, the reward, or clicker in this instance, must be used immediately as timing is very important.

If you're slow to give the reward, treat or clicker, your Cocker won't associate it with the desired behaviour.

You can learn more about clicker training here.

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We hope you've found our puppy obedience training commands and dog training tips useful and are well on your way to having a happy, well-mannered little Cocker Spaniel puppy!

If you need more advice on puppy or dog training you'll find good dog training advice here - dog obedience training, how to train a dog, and many more dog training tips.

Puppy obedience training doesn't, and shouldn't stop here. Your Cocker Spaniel will mature and eventually become an older dog but that doesn't mean dog obedience training should become a thing of the past.

On the contrary, dog obedience training should be continued throughout your dog's life to keep him fit and active, both mentally and physically!

Not only that, a well-trained Cocker Spaniel is less likely to display attention seeking behaviour, which can become a little annoying, especially if you always give him the attention he seeks.

If you're hoping that your Cocker grows into a well behaved dog, you won't go far wrong with puppy obedience training.

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