Most spaniel training problems are not caused by a “stubborn dog”. They happen because the skill wasn’t built in the right order, the environment is too difficult, the reward history isn’t strong enough, or the dog is over-aroused and can’t think clearly.
Troubleshooting is about identifying why training is breaking down, fixing the foundation, and then rebuilding reliability in a calm, systematic way.
This hub helps you diagnose the most common issues (recall failure, pulling, jumping up, over-excitement and inconsistent responses) and points you to the right training section to fix them properly.
Start here: a simple troubleshooting checklist
When something isn’t working, run through this checklist before you change your whole plan:
- Is the environment too hard? (too many smells, dogs, people, wildlife)
- Is your dog over threshold? (too excited, stressed, tired, under-rested)
- Did you train it at home but not proof it elsewhere?
- Are you repeating cues? (teaching your dog to ignore the first one)
- Is reinforcement strong enough? (rewards too small for the distraction level)
- Are you accidentally rewarding the unwanted behaviour?
- Are you expecting too much duration or distance too soon?
- Is your dog unwell or uncomfortable? (pain and discomfort change behaviour)
Fix the cause, not the symptom.
Key guides in this section
Start here: why spaniel training breaks down
- Cocker Spaniel training mistakes to avoid: tips for success
- The role of consistency in spaniel training
- Why pressure makes dog training worse
Recall problems (spaniels not coming back)
- What to do when your spaniel won’t come back to you
- Train your dog to come back when called
- How to get a spaniel to come back to the whistle
Pulling and walk chaos
- How to stop a Cocker Spaniel pulling on the lead
- Why Springer Spaniels pull on the lead
- Teaching your spaniel to be calm and relaxed on walks
Over-excitement, jumping, and impulse control
- How to stop a spaniel from jumping up
- The best way to stop your dog jumping on people
- Training high-energy dogs: how to calm, focus, and…
- When do Cocker Spaniels calm down?
Related training hubs (go straight to the fix)
- Training Foundations
- Recall & Whistle Training
- Loose Lead Walking
- Calmness & Impulse Control
- Basic Commands & Manners
- Puppy Training
- Off-Lead Reliability
The 5 most common spaniel training problems (and what usually causes them)
1) “My spaniel won’t come back”
Common causes:
- recall only used when fun ends
- your dog has practised ignoring you
- too much freedom too soon
- chasing and shouting (creates avoidance)
Fix:
- rebuild recall value, reduce distractions, use a long line, reward heavily.
➡️ Go to: /spaniel-training/recall/
2) “My spaniel pulls like a train”
Common causes:
- pulling is self-rewarding (gets to smells faster)
- no structure on walks
- training only in high-distraction environments
Fix:
- reset the pattern, reward proximity, use sniffing as a reward, train in easier locations first.
➡️ Go to: /spaniel-training/lead-walking/
3) “My spaniel is too excitable / won’t settle”
Common causes:
- under-rested dog
- too much stimulation and no off-switch
- training when already over-aroused
Fix:
- build calmness as a skill, reward calm decisions, teach “wait” routines, support rest.
➡️ Go to: /spaniel-training/impulse-control/
Support: /spaniel-welfare/rest-and-sleep/
4) “My dog knows it at home but ignores it outside”
Common causes:
- not proofed in new environments
- distraction added too quickly
- cues used when success isn’t likely
Fix:
- practise the same skill in many easy places before stepping up difficulty.
➡️ Start at: /spaniel-training/foundations/
5) “Jumping up, grabbing, and rude manners”
Common causes:
- excitement rewarded (attention, play, access)
- unclear household rules
- inconsistent reinforcement
Fix:
- teach an alternative behaviour (four paws down, sit, place/settle), reinforce calm greetings.
➡️ Go to: /spaniel-training/basic-commands/
Also: /spaniel-training/impulse-control/
The fastest way to fix problems: change the set-up
Spaniel training improves fastest when you control the environment:
- Use distance from distractions
- Choose quieter routes while you rebuild reliability
- Use a long line to stop your dog rehearsing “ignore and run off”
- Train before the walk for 60 seconds (engagement), not only during the walk
- Protect sleep and recovery (overtired dogs make worse choices)
You are not “giving in” by reducing difficulty — you are creating conditions where learning can happen.
Key troubleshooting principles (spaniel-specific)
Reward value must match the distraction
In low distraction, a small reward works. In fields full of scent, you need a bigger reward — or you need to reduce difficulty first.
Don’t punish the return
If you tell your dog off once they finally come back, you teach them that returning is unsafe. Always make the return worthwhile.
Stop repeating cues
One cue, then help your dog succeed. Repeating “come, come, come” teaches your dog to delay responding until you are desperate.
“More exercise” is not always the answer
Sometimes the solution is:
- better structure
- better reinforcement
- better recovery time
- more mental stimulation and calmer enrichment
not just longer walks.