Spaniel Training and Dog Care

Spaniel Puppy Training

Puppy training is where most long-term spaniel “problems” are either prevented or created. Spaniels are bright, sensitive, and driven by scent and movement — so the goal is to build good habits early, teach your puppy how to settle, and make everyday life predictable and rewarding.

This hub focuses on training skills (what to teach and how to teach it), while your broader puppy care content lives in the Spaniel Puppies section.

Use this page to work through the essentials in a sensible order, then follow the links to deeper guides.

What to prioritise with a spaniel puppy

If you only focus on a few things in the first weeks, make them these:

  • Name response and attention (your puppy checks in and follows you)
  • Toilet routine (clear schedule and reinforcement)
  • Gentle handling and calm routines (prevents future battles)
  • Recall foundations (coming back is always worth it)
  • Lead foundations (no pulling habits)
  • Settle and switch-off (rest is trained through routine)
  • Bite inhibition and appropriate play (teeth + spaniel intensity)

You don’t need to drill commands. You need to create habits.

Start here: a simple puppy training plan

This structure works for most spaniel puppies:

Week 1–2: settle in and build routine

  • Short, frequent toilet trips and rewards
  • Teach your puppy their name + a simple “yes” marker
  • Begin gentle crate/pen routines (if you use one)
  • Reward calm behaviour (lying down, choosing rest)

Week 3–6: start skills with low distraction

  • Sit, “leave it”, and early lead work in the house/garden
  • Recall games indoors (short distance, high reward)
  • Start “settle” on a mat (tiny sessions)

Week 6 onwards: build reliability, not complexity

  • Increase distractions gradually
  • Use a long line outdoors before you trust off-lead
  • Keep sessions short and finish on success

Foundations that matter most for spaniels

Calmness is a skill

A spaniel puppy that never learns to switch off will struggle with arousal, pulling, and recall later. Build rest into the day and reward calm decisions.

➡️ Related: /spaniel-training/impulse-control/
And welfare support: /spaniel-welfare/rest-and-sleep/

Your puppy rehearses habits all day

Training is not only “sessions”. It’s the pattern of your day:

  • how your puppy gets access to food, toys, doors, smells
  • whether they learn to jump, grab, pull, or bark for results
    Make the right behaviours pay off.

Socialisation is not “meet everything”

Good socialisation means your puppy learns that the world is safe and predictable — not that they should rush every dog or person. Keep experiences calm and controlled.

➡️ Puppy socialisation hub: /spaniel-puppies/socialisation/

Common puppy training mistakes

These are the big ones to avoid:

  • Giving too much freedom too soon (especially outdoors)
  • Letting pulling become normal on walks
  • Repeating cues (“come, come, come…”)
  • Long training sessions that create frustration
  • Using exercise to “wear out” a puppy instead of teaching calm routines
  • Expecting reliability before you’ve proofed skills

Key guides in this section

Start here: spaniel puppy training guides

House training and toilet routine

Crate training and home management

First skills and everyday manners

Lead walking foundations (prevent pulling habits early)

Recall foundations (build it early)

Common puppy challenges (teething and bitey phases)

Socialisation and confidence (supporting training)

Related hubs

Where to go next

Once the basics are in place, move to: