Spaniels are energetic, highly motivated dogs. That’s part of what makes them brilliant — but it also means many “training problems” are really impulse control problems. Pulling on the lead, ignoring recall, barking, jumping up, stealing items, and spinning up on walks often come from the same root: your dog is over-aroused and making fast choices.
This hub is about teaching your spaniel how to pause, think, and choose calmer behaviour, without shutting down their personality. Done well, calmness training makes every other area of training easier: lead walking improves, recall becomes more reliable, and home life feels less chaotic.
What impulse control actually means
Impulse control is your dog’s ability to:
- wait briefly instead of rushing
- stay connected to you around distractions
- handle excitement without spiralling
- stop and start on cue
- switch off and recover after activity
It’s not “obedience”. It’s emotional regulation.
Key guides in this section
Start here: calmness and regulation for spaniels
- When do Cocker Spaniels calm down?
- How to get a Springer Spaniel to calm down
- The age when Springer Spaniels calm down
- Teaching your spaniel to be calm and relaxed on walks
Training focus and self-control (when your dog feels “too much”)
- Training high-energy dogs: how to calm, focus, and…
- Why pressure makes dog training worse
- The role of consistency in spaniel training
Impulse control in real life (jumping, over-excitement, manners)
- How to stop a spaniel from jumping up
- The best way to stop your dog jumping on people
- How to teach “leave it” (step-by-step)
Calmness is easier when rest is right (supporting guides)
- Rest and sleep (welfare)
- How to get a Cocker Spaniel to sleep
- Can you train a Springer Spaniel to sleep?
Related training hubs
- Training Foundations
- Loose Lead Walking
- Recall & Whistle Training
- Basic Commands & Manners
- Off-Lead Reliability
- Training Troubleshooting
Why spaniels struggle with calmness
Many spaniels are naturally:
- scent-driven (their nose pulls them forward)
- movement-reactive (birds, squirrels, other dogs)
- quick to build arousal (especially in stimulating environments)
If you only increase exercise, you often create a fitter dog with the same habits. Calmness is built through training, structure, and reinforcement, not just long walks.
Start here: the calmness plan that works
If your spaniel feels “always on”, follow this simple structure.
1) Reward calm decisions daily
Every time your dog chooses calmer behaviour, mark and reward it:
- lying down on their own
- watching something without lunging
- waiting at a door
- looking at you when excited
2) Teach “wait” in real life
Use tiny pauses throughout the day:
- wait before meals
- wait before going out the door
- wait before throwing a toy
- wait before getting out of the car
3) Use sniffing as calm enrichment
Sniffing is naturally regulating for most dogs. Teach “go sniff” as a reward for walking calmly.
4) Practise short “settle” sessions
A settle is not a command you shout when your dog is frantic. It’s a skill you build calmly:
- a mat/bed
- a quiet space
- short durations
- frequent rewards early on
5) Reduce overwhelm temporarily
If your dog is constantly over threshold, training won’t stick. Choose calmer routes and add distraction gradually.
The core skills that create calm spaniels
Settle on a mat (“place”)
This is one of the most useful home skills:
- visitors arriving
- meals being prepared
- evening downtime
- after walks
Waiting and delayed gratification
Waiting teaches your dog that pausing gets results. It’s the foundation for steadiness on walks and a cleaner recall.
Engagement (“choose me”)
A spaniel with impulse control can still enjoy scent and movement — but they can also reconnect quickly and follow your lead.
Calm lead behaviour
Lead walking and impulse control are tightly linked. If you teach calmness, pulling reduces dramatically.
➡️ Related hub: /spaniel-training/lead-walking/
Calm recall foundations
A dog that can pause and think is a dog that can choose to come back, even when distracted.
➡️ Related hub: /spaniel-training/recall/
Common mistakes (that keep a spaniel over-excited)
Avoid these patterns:
- Only training when your dog is already wound up
- Trying to “outrun” arousal with more exercise
- Long training sessions that increase frustration
- Inconsistent boundaries (jumping up is “cute” sometimes)
- Too many high-energy games with no off-switch training
- Not building recovery time (sleep and rest are critical)
A realistic weekly plan
- Daily: reward calm behaviour you see (micro-reinforcement)
- Daily: 2 minutes of “wait” practice in real life
- 3x per week: 5–10 minutes settle/mat training
- Weekly: practise calm walking in one slightly harder environment
- Always: protect sleep and recovery time