Spaniels are intelligent, energetic, affectionate dogs — but they are also one of the most commonly misunderstood breeds when it comes to training, behaviour, and everyday care.
Whether you own a Cocker Spaniel, Springer Spaniel, or another spaniel type, their instincts, sensitivity, and drive mean they require a different approach to many other dogs. Generic dog training advice often fails with spaniels, leading to frustration, inconsistent behaviour, and problems that feel difficult to fix.
This guide is the central resource for spaniel owners who want clear, practical, experience-based guidance. It brings together everything you need to understand, train, and live successfully with a spaniel — from puppyhood through to adulthood, and from pet homes to working environments.
Use this page as your starting point. Each section below links to a detailed guide focused on that specific area.
Spaniel Training
Training a spaniel is not about control — it is about channeling instinct.
Spaniels are bred to hunt, explore, and work at distance from their handler. This makes them enthusiastic learners, but also easily distracted, over-excitable, and prone to selective hearing if training foundations are weak.
In this section you will learn:
- How spaniels learn differently from many other breeds
- Why recall is often unreliable without the right groundwork
- How to build focus, engagement, and responsiveness
- When to introduce off-lead freedom safely
- How to train spaniels without suppressing their natural drive
➡️ Read the full guide: Spaniel Training: Step-by-Step Training for All Spaniel Breeds/spaniel-training/
Spaniel Behaviour
Many so-called “bad behaviours” in spaniels are actually natural responses that have not been properly understood or managed.
Over-excitement, ignoring commands outdoors, poor impulse control, and sensitivity to correction are extremely common in spaniels — particularly during adolescence. These behaviours are often made worse by well-intentioned but unsuitable training methods.
In this section you will learn:
- Why spaniels behave differently in stimulating environments
- How arousal levels affect listening and learning
- The real reasons spaniels appear stubborn or wilful
- How to reduce over-excitement without dulling drive
- How behaviour and training are closely linked
➡️ Read the full guide: Spaniel Behaviour Explained: Problems, Causes and Solutions/spaniel-behaviour/
Spaniel Puppies, Training & Development
Spaniel puppies are fast, confident, and curious — and the habits formed in the first year often shape behaviour for life.
Early freedom, too much stimulation, or inconsistent boundaries can quickly lead to recall issues, chasing, and frustration later on. At the same time, overly restrictive training can suppress confidence and enthusiasm.
In this section you will learn:
- What spaniel puppies need at each developmental stage
- How to start training from 8 weeks old
- When and how to introduce recall training
- Managing biting, mouthing, and over-arousal
- Setting foundations that prevent future problems
➡️ Read the full guide: Spaniel Puppy Training & Development: From 8 Weeks to Adulthood/spaniel-puppies-2/
Spaniel Care
Meeting a spaniel’s physical and mental needs is essential for good behaviour and long-term wellbeing.
Spaniels are active dogs that thrive on routine, structure, and appropriate outlets for their energy. Without this, behavioural problems often develop regardless of how much training is attempted.
In this section you will learn:
- How much exercise spaniels actually need
- The importance of mental stimulation
- Daily routines that support calm behaviour
- Grooming and coat care basics
- Creating a balanced lifestyle for pet and working spaniels
➡️ Read the full guide: Spaniel Care: Daily Needs, Exercise and Wellbeing/spaniel-care/
Spaniel Health & Wellbeing
While this site does not offer veterinary diagnosis, understanding common spaniel health considerations allows owners to make better day-to-day decisions that support long-term health.
Many health issues seen in spaniels are influenced by lifestyle, exercise, weight management, and preventative care.
In this section you will learn:
- Common health issues seen in spaniels
- Early signs that something may be wrong
- The importance of ear care and hygiene
- Keeping spaniels fit, lean, and mobile
- How health and behaviour often overlap
➡️ Read the full guide: Spaniel Health Guide: Common Issues, Prevention and Wellbeing/spaniel-health/
Spaniel Welfare
Spaniel welfare goes beyond basic care. It is about ensuring that a spaniel’s physical, mental, and emotional needs are met throughout every stage of life. True welfare supports not only good health, but also confidence, security, and the ability to express natural behaviours safely.
Spaniels are intelligent, sensitive, and people-focused dogs. When their welfare needs are overlooked, problems such as anxiety, frustration, stress-related behaviour, and reduced quality of life can develop. A welfare-led approach helps prevent these issues and creates a foundation for calm behaviour, effective training, and long-term wellbeing.
Our spaniel welfare guidance is based on practical, ethical principles, including:
- Providing a safe and comfortable living environment
- Supporting emotional wellbeing and reducing unnecessary stress
- Meeting physical needs such as rest, movement, and recovery
- Encouraging natural behaviours through enrichment and mental stimulation
- Using fair, humane, and ethical training methods
This approach aligns with modern welfare standards and focuses on helping spaniels thrive, not simply cope.
➡️ Explore our complete spaniel welfare hub to learn how to support your dog’s wellbeing through ethical training, enrichment, emotional care, and daily management./spaniel-welfare/
How to Use This Guide
This guide is structured to help you understand spaniels as a breed first, before focusing on training techniques. Each section builds on the next, allowing you to follow a clear path based on your dog’s age, needs, or current challenges.
If you are new to spaniel ownership
Start with the foundations:
- Spaniel Puppies – early development, routines, socialisation, and first training steps
- Spaniel Care – feeding, exercise, grooming, rest, and daily management
- Spaniel Welfare – emotional wellbeing, enrichment, ethical handling, and stress reduction
These sections establish the foundations for a settled, confident dog and help prevent many common issues from developing later.
If you are working on training or behaviour
Focus on:
- Spaniel Training – building reliable responses, structure, and clarity
- Spaniel Behaviour – understanding motivation, arousal levels, learning, and emotional balance
Behaviour and training work best when welfare and daily care are already supporting the dog properly.
If you are addressing specific challenges
Use the relevant sections within Training, Behaviour, Care, and Welfare to explore the root causes of issues and follow internal links back to the appropriate foundations. Most problems are connected to unmet physical, mental, or emotional needs rather than isolated faults.
Final Note
Spaniels are intelligent, driven, and highly capable dogs. When their instincts, energy levels, and emotional needs are properly understood, they are also among the most rewarding breeds to live and work with.
With the right foundations, consistency, and a welfare-led approach, many common challenges are entirely preventable.
Use this guide as your central reference point and explore each section in depth to build a calmer, more reliable, and happier partnership with your spaniel.