Spaniel training is not difficult and with a little thought and creativity you can make it easier and more enjoyable for your dog to learn new skills.
If you are looking how to get a spaniel to sit, or any other dog, then this is the easiest and the best way.
Training a dog to sit is one of the first activities in any dog training and this method is a failsafe way to get quick success.
The best way to get a puppy to sit is to do it when you feed him at mealtimes. Hold his bowl of food in your hand and tell him to ‘sit’. He will jump around for a while as he tries to get the food, but will soon get fed up, when he will sit down to ‘think about things’. As soon as his bottom touches the floor, tell him to ‘sit’ again and give him his food. Repeat this at every meal.
I prefer ‘Hup’ as it is easier to say quickly (rather than sit) and, when you are out with your spaniel, walking up game with dog dog hunting in front of you, you may need to ‘spit’ the command out rapidly. So for me it’s ‘hup’.
It also prevents any confusion for the retrievers that may be around as they are generally told to ‘sit’.
With dog training, as we’ll see in other posts, we are looking at progression, and one lesson and action generally leads onto another.
Just as with children and their development, your spaniel will grow and as he develops the lessons will become more advanced but the basics are important and you shouldn’t be tempted to skip them.
Always take your time and understand that, as with people, not all dogs are equal.
So, the basic building block for spaniel training is the command to sit down and from this everything else grows.
Nimrod aged about 8 weeks demonstrating how to sit
Easiest way to train a puppy to sit
We introduce this command in conjunction with a hand signal from the very first day that our puppy is with us.
Don’t worry. It’s easy and we are not going to alarm him.
In the past you’ve probably seen or heard of ‘dog trainers’ pushing a dog’s bottom to the ground or yanking the dog backwards on a lead until his butt touches the deck – all while yelling ‘sit’ or whatever.
If you think about it, if you say ‘sit’ and then push your dog around he just might think ‘I don’t like that sit word, he pushes me around when he says it’.
So, with that thinking in mind we rarely, if ever, need to get physical with a dog, punishment and force does not work well when training dogs .
So….the secret is this.
It’s really simple and you’ll be successful straight away as we will introduce the command in a pleasurable situation – meal times.
The ‘sit’ command is best introduced at meal times and it’s easy.
He probably won’t and will jump around trying to get to the food
After a while he will get fed up and will sit down in frustration and to try to figure out what to do
As soon as his bottom touches the floor, repeat the word ‘sit, and put the food down for him
Repeat this process every time you give him his meals or treats
He will soon begin to understand the command and will eventually sit when told
The best way to train a puppy to sit down
Take the puppy’s meal to him, do it by yourself and don’t have other people there, or cats or other dogs – no distractions.
Stand upright in front of your puppy and in a low clear voice command ‘hup’ or ‘sit, whichever you prefer, and, at the same time, raise your other hand, palm facing outwards, towards him.
Now – he won’t have a clue as to what you mean or want him to do. He won’t understand. Don’t panic.
The puppy will probably run around, jump up etc and generally get frustrated at not getting his food.
Just wait a few moments and, I tell you, he’ll sit down to think about it.
The moment his bottom touches the floor, put the dish in front of him so he can eat.
Some ‘trainers’ say that you should make the puppy wait until you tell him to eat – but I ask this, why make it more difficult and what’s the point of doing that?
So. Keep it simple.
You can also use tasty training treats for when you are out and about with your dog.
Our objective is getting a spaniel to sit down when told and to finally associate the raised hand signal with the action of sitting.
From now on every time you feed your puppy (or give him a treat ) you will always get him to sit down before he gets the food.
Moving forwards with the sit command
As your puppy becomes better at sitting down when you ask him to, you can gradually extend the time that he waits until he gets his food.
Don’t be excessive with this as you run the risk of him getting fed up and losing trust that you will give him his food or reward.
Eventually this basic command will develop into sitting at a distance, stopping on the whistle and dropping to shot.
So. work on the sit command with your dog.
FAQs
What should I avoid doing when training my puppy to sit?
Avoid punishing or shouting at your puppy if they don’t understand the command right away. This can cause fear or confusion, and it’s counterproductive to learning. Also, avoid long training sessions as puppies have short attention spans. Instead, try multiple short sessions throughout the day. Lastly, avoid inconsistency – make sure all family members use the same command and reward system.
What should I do if my puppy won’t sit, despite repeated training?
Patience is key when training puppies. If your puppy is struggling to learn the ‘sit’ command, review your methods to ensure you’re being clear and consistent. Consider their motivation as well – perhaps the treats aren’t appealing enough, find something that your puppy really likes.
When you are successful with this, it can be tempting to keep telling your spaniel to sit.
Avoid doing this as, every time you give a dog a command you are also giving him the opportunity to ignore you, and, if you overdo any aspect of his training, you can make him bored and more tempted to disobey.
Try to prevent any problems from occurring by not overdoing things.
If you are looking to get a spaniel puppy then you are not alone. Spaniels, particularly Cocker spaniels, are one of the most popular spaniel breeds in the UK and rightly so.
Their temperament and lively behaviour make this breed an ideal choice for an active family.
Spaniel puppies are wonderful, excitable bundles of fur that are great fun and playful. They grow into active, energetic adults who need lots of exercise and stimulation.
Choosing a spaniel puppy for your family or as a working companion is something that you should take time to do properly. Always choose from a reputable breeder and never from an advert that you find online or elsewhere. Take your time to do some homework about the breed and don’t be afraid to ask questions and walk away if you are in any doubt.
Where to get a spaniel puppy
When you are choosing a spaniel puppy then, unless there is a genuine and specific reason not to, you should always get a puppy and avoid an older dog.
A puppy should be obtained directly from the breeder and never from a ‘middleman’ such as a petshop.
Pet shops and similar should be avoided like the plague.
Never, ever get a puppy from a pet shop, no matter how sorry you feel for the animals that are on display.
In some countries it is impossible to get a dog this way, but are many where you can still buy puppies via this awful method.
Puppies sold from pet shops have been stripped away from their mothers and often littermates, they are generally living in poor conditions, in cages, with very little human interaction which leads to psychological and social isolation and deprivation of the puppy.
Find a reputable breeder and avoid anything that resembles or that you feel has a commercial aspect. Good puppy breeders will always appreciate your efforts to establish their worthiness.
It is always important when choosing a spaniel puppy, or any other puppy for that matter, that you get to see the puppy’s mother and the surroundings where the puppy has been raised in the early stages of his life.
Breeders of spaniel puppies
The prospective spaniel puppy owner should choose a breeder carefully.
Remember that this little dog will spend the rest of his life with you and you will want to make sure that he is the right fit for you and a responsible breeder will also wish for this to be the case.
When choosing a breeder try to look for referrals or recommendations from people that you know who may already have a spaniel or who know someone that has.
Do some homework
Do as much homework as you feel is necessary to find a good, responsible breeder.
Find out who the successful competitors are, drop them a line or give them a call.
Let them know that you are new to spaniels ( or old ) depending on how you are, and that you are looking for a puppy.
National Kennel Clubs and breed societies can also be useful sources of information to find and locate good spaniel breeders and you can check with them for advice.
Often they will be able to refer you to a breeder that they know and trust.
Points on how to choose a healthy spaniel puppy
Visit the breeder and check out any puppy with your own eyes.
Make sure all the puppies are happy, healthy and active.
Ask about their worming schedule and vaccinations, they should be up to date.
If a breeder doesn’t let you see where a pup was born then walk away as it’s probably not the best place to get a healthy puppy from.
Ask your breeder any questions you have about spaniels, breeders should be happy to share their knowledge with you.
Request to see where the puppies are living before you buy them or if they are in a separate area, ask for health certificates so you can see that they are healthy.
If you are buying a spaniel puppy then make sure that the breeder will provide you with all relevant information about their parents (height, weight etc.)
Make sure to ask what work the puppies parents have been bred for, this is good evidence of how active they are likely to be.
You must find a good breeder
Do not buy a spaniel puppy from a backyard breeder, these are people who breed random litters in their homes and often have poorly bred dogs.
They may be cute but they can also be more susceptible to health issues.
You should contact the Kennel Club if you suspect that this is happening.
A good breeder should sell you the puppy on a contract and be able to answer any questions about the spaniel as this will help guide you as your new dog grows.
Once you have chosen your spaniel pup, make sure to go home and do some research on things such as equipment, food, care and training so that you are fully prepared.
When choosing a puppy check that:
The puppy’s surroundings are clean and well maintained.
The puppy and it’s peers are active and look clean and healthy.
The puppy’s mother looks well cared for and is clean.
The breeder seems genuine and is only interested in the welfare of the dogs.
That the puppy is registered with the Kennel Club.
The puppy has had it’s first round of vaccinations and has been wormed.
That the breeder seems keen to ‘check’ that you are capable of looking after a puppy and is prepared to be available for advice.
Ask around when you are looking for a dog
My latest Cocker spaniel puppy, Nimrod, who’ll you see on the Youtube videos and is pictured in this post, was found this way.
My niece breeds Labradors and she is actively involved in the working dog circuit.
A phone call to her put us in touch with a well known and respected breeder of Cocker Spaniels located a few hours drive from home.
It is worth taking the time to find a good and responsible breeder.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions
When speaking to a spaniel breeder, you should be thinking of asking questions such as….
“How many litters do you have every year?” and “Where do you keep the puppies?” also questions such as ” What are you feeding them?”, “Have they been vaccinated?”, “Who are the puppy’s parents?”.
You need to get a ‘feel’ for the breeder and a responsible breeder will not mind such questioning, indeed it’s likely that they will also have several questions for you as they’ll want their dogs to goto good homes.
If a breeder shows annoyance or gives you the impression that they are doing you a favour then I’d recommend that you move on. Thankfully there are fewer and fewer of these types, but they still exist.
Read about the breed
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Deciding which puppy to get
Once you’ve done your research and have located a potentially suitable litter of spaniels (whether they be Cocker, Springer or other breeds the thinking is the same), you should make arrangements to visit them.
Normally you would seek to do this when the puppies are around eight weeks old but, in some cases, a good breeder will let you visit when the puppies are younger ( although you won’t be able to take a puppy until he is at least eight weeks).
There are several things that you should consider when visiting the breeder:
Do you like the look of the breeder? No, I don’t mean do you find them attractive..!
I mean do they seem trustworthy? What’s your ‘gut’ instinct, are they ‘shady’, ‘wideboy’ or do you think they’re okay?
What are the puppy’s surroundings like? Are they clean?
If the breeder couldn’t be bothered to clean up when they knew that you were coming then what sort of upbringing have the puppies had?
Do the puppies look healthy?
Are they lively? – If they’ve just been fed then chances are they’ll be asleep.
Bundles of fun but are you ready for a spaniel puppy?
What to look for and what to ask
If possible and the puppies are old enough, then try to see the puppies outside and watch their reactions to the surroundings.
How do the puppies behave around you?
Watch out for the puppy that bustles around, plays with the others, he could be wrestling with the other pups, instigating play or generally be involved in whatever game or adventure that the puppies are involved with.
Take note of the puppy that comes up to you of his own accord, sniffs your hand or leg or tries to climb up your trousers.
You should try to find the puppy that shows little nerves and is not afraid of playing and exploring.
Take your time, choose with care. Ask the breeder which one he or she would keep if they got the chance.
Don’t be hasty. Take some time to think about whether you can look after a puppy which will grow into an adult dog and which will be with you for many years.
A good breeder will understand and will accommodate you as long as you don’t keep them waiting too long for confirmation.
This is one advantage of seeing the puppies when they are younger, a few weeks before they are ready.
Stay in contact with the breeder and get to know them better.
You should ask further questions about feeding, general care such as innoculations, housing, walking, training etc.
Once you are fully decided about the puppy ( and you should not wait too long for a good litter will sell quickly) then you should confirm with the breeder.
Most breeders nowadays will ask for a deposit, this will normally be in the region of several hundred dollars/pounds, the current price for a good working Cocker spaniel puppy being in the region of $1200 or £900 to £1000, on average.
Speak to the breeder about making the puppy’s transition to it’s new home as easy as possible.
An experienced breeder will have several techniques to help the puppy settle into his new home.
It can be a trauma for a young puppy leaving his mother and kennel mates and if you can maintain his routine as much as possible then this will help him to settle in.
Collecting your spaniel puppy
The day has come when it is time for you to collect your spaniel puppy from the breeder.
Although you’ll be excited and, if children are involved then levels could be off the richter scale, it is important to try and temper this and stay in control.
The breeder will probably give you something from the puppy’s kennel, this could be a teddy bear, soft toy or piece of bedding.
This is really important as it carries the smell of the puppy’s surroundings and you should treat it as a very special item for the puppy.
It will help to reassure him and will be his ‘comfort blanket/item’ for a while.
Let him have it in his bed, let him carry it around. It will be very special to him.
The breeder will provide you with all of the paperwork and any registration documents for your area and any documents for vaccinations that the puppy may have had to date.
The puppy should have been wormed once or twice and this is something that you will need to continue, in line with your vet’s recommendations.
Puppies and older dogs can contract serious illnesses if not vaccinated regularly.
This is something that you must do to prevent your spaniel puppy from becoming ill – some illnesses can be fatal to dogs and it’s really important to vaccinate.
Speak to your vet who will advise on this as, depending on where you live requirements will differ but usual illnesses that require vaccinations are distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis and parvo virus – all very nasty and not something that you want your puppy to have to deal with.
It’s a good idea to make an appointment to take your puppy to your vet a short time after he arrives at your home – for a check up, registration and vaccinations.
Get your puppy some toys
All dogs like to play and dog toys are a great way for your puppy to learn and to burn off excess energy.
In the UK, dog theft, particularly that of gundogs, such as spaniels, has increased massively during the last 12 months ( 2020 onwards).
Many of these stolen dogs are used by organised criminal gangs for mass breeding, where the health and welfare of the dogs, and their puppies is of no concern and the conditions that the animals are often kept in are dreadful.
The popularity of certain breeds and the ongoing desire for fancy named mongrels, has driven prices up and, for these gangs, stealing dogs for breeding is a profitable activity.
Always be careful when looking for puppies.
These gangs often use social media and pet websites to advertise, often at ridiculous prices.
Don’t be tempted or intimidated to buy from these sources, if you do then you are fuelling illegal activities.
FAQs
What are the key factors to consider when choosing a spaniel puppy?
Choosing a spaniel puppy should be a carefully considered decision. You need to look into the puppy’s health (a reputable breeder should provide health certifications), temperament (which is often a result of good breeding and early socialisation), and activity level (Spaniels are typically high-energy dogs). You also need to consider whether you can meet the dog’s needs for exercise, training, and grooming.
What precautions should I take when buying a spaniel puppy from a breeder?
When buying a spaniel from a breeder, ensure that the breeder is reputable and responsible. They should be able to provide proof of health screenings, such as eye and hip tests, for both parent dogs. It’s also a good sign if the breeder allows you to meet the puppy’s parents, or at least the mother. Always avoid puppy mills and breeders who can’t or won’t give you detailed information about the puppy’s lineage and health.
How can I ensure my spaniel puppy adapts well to its new home?
Early socialisation is key to helping your spaniel puppy adapt to its new home. Introduce the puppy to different environments, sounds, people, and other animals to help it become well-rounded and comfortable with various situations. Regular training sessions and a consistent routine will also help your puppy feel secure and understand what is expected. Make sure to provide plenty of love, patience, and positive reinforcement along the way.
Conclusion and final thoughts
When you are looking for a dog don’t be hasty.
You really need to be sure that you can provide a caring home for a spaniel before you commit.
Puppies are great fun but they are baby dogs and not toys.
You’ll need to provide, food, shelter, healthcare, exercise, love, training and a lot more for many years.
Our articles can help you with all of these things and you might want to read more before you choose a puppy.
When you are choosing a spaniel puppy then, unless there is a genuine and specific reason not to, you should always get a puppy and avoid an older dog.
The day has come when it is time for you to collect your spaniel puppy from the breeder.
You should also have all of his sleeping arrangements ready at his new home.