Do you want your puppy to hang on your every word? Training a puppy to do that is easy with the 'watch me' command. Teach him this and you'll soon discover that when you speak, he listens!
If your puppy is in training, the 'Watch Me!' command should, ideally, be the first lesson you teach your Cocker Spaniel.
Why?
Because this command teaches your Cocker Spaniel to look at you, and pay attention to you, ignoring everything and everyone else around him. At least, that's the plan!
This command helps to make all other training easier because you will have your puppy's full attention before starting another exercise.
Before you begin teaching your puppy to listen, decide which words you'd like to use for this command.
I use 'Watch', but you can choose whatever you like, for example, 'Listen'.
Once you've decided on a word or a phrase, you and your family must use it consistently otherwise it won't work. You will be setting your dog up to fail.
Here's how:
Continue practicing this exercise, increasing the time you can hold your puppy's attention. Add a few seconds each time, gradually working up to 60 seconds or more.
If your puppy doesn't look at you, or if he looks at you but won't hold your gaze, try holding a treat up to eye level. This should keep his attention on the treat and by default, on you.
Remove the use of the treat from the exercise as soon as you feel it's practical to do so. The aim is to reward your puppy for paying attention to you and not to the treat.
Use the watch command before giving your dog any other command. This way, your Cocker Spaniel is more likely to respond well to your next command because he's already giving you his full attention.
Now that's a result, isn't it?
When your puppy has mastered the 'Watch Me!' command, and he's holding your gaze for up to 60 seconds, (without being bribed with the promise of a treat) he's ready to move on to his next obedience lesson.
The 'Sit'! command.
Training a puppy to 'Sit' on command is easy, simply follow these instructions.
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