Tireless, full of energy, joyful and very social lovers of English cocker spaniels are never short of adjectives to describe this little companion. If he can show off in a bright light, our English Cocker Spaniel is also known to be stubborn and able to train his masters! To prevent your adorable ball of fur from taking over, you must learn to resist his gaze and start his education early. An iron fist in a velvet glove will make your English Cocker Spaniel the best company.
1 – Know the needs of your future companion
Properly supporting the arrival of a puppy or dog in our homes involves many responsibilities and knowing the needs of your dog's breed. Our English Cocker Spaniel breed sheet will provide you with complete information about his needs and temperament. Also check with breeders that have caught your eye to confirm your choice. Depending on our lifestyle and our dog's requirements for their well-being, not all breeds are suitable for everyone.
Initially bred for hunting in the 17th century, the cocker spaniel quickly showed the qualities of a companion dog: playful, gentle and full of life, it is the perfect four-legged friend for children and adults. Despite everything, it retains a strong tendency to hunt and chase game or a trail in a thick bush does not frighten this medium-sized dog that can weigh up to 14 kg. Active, always wagging his tail, he's not a couch potato! Games, physical and sports activities are essential for maintaining your happy character. Often presented as stubborn, its owner must start raising it very early and offer it quality socialization, because some individuals can be exclusive towards the household. Mischievous, your little companion is also sensitive, tenderness and play will be allies of his learning.
2 – Work on socializing your English Cocker Spaniel
When he arrives home, the breeder has partially worked on the socialization of your puppy, but for the rest it is up to us owners to introduce him to the world. To make it easier for him to enter your home, some breeders recommend preparing a sleeping area filled with the scent of one or more family members. Its owner must face all kinds of situations, people, peers and animals in a positive way early on. A puppy school – if there is one near your home – is a great tool for getting to know dogs of all breeds and strengthening your knowledge of dog language.
Socializing with peers
When your puppy has not yet received all booster shots, offer him encounters with dogs whose vaccination history you know. Once he is protected, you will be able to put him in contact with many four-legged friends. Prioritize social peers, as a bad encounter will have a negative impact on your little companion. Finally, never pick up your puppy when you encounter an adult dog. This very protective behavior imprints in his mind that the adult is a potential danger. Quite cheerful and lively by nature, your English Cocker Spaniel will learn to introduce himself properly and stop the interaction when his partner pulls away or growls to tell him to calm down.
Socializing with people
People who are not afraid of dogs must be met. As soon as he is vaccinated, take your puppy everywhere with you to meet children, old people, people of all kinds. To facilitate interaction at home, start petting him very early, petting him, cleaning his ears, teeth, brushing him. Before meeting the children, remind them to respect your little friend and supervise any handshakes, games or interactions.
3 – Discover and get to know the world around you
The sooner a puppy is exposed to all kinds of environments, sounds and animals, the better it will react to new situations as an adult. Offer him different areas to walk, in the city and in the country, and introduce him to his encounters with cars, bicycles, television, vacuum cleaners. If you don't pay attention to them yourself and stay calm, your four-legged friend will quickly learn that these sounds are part of everyday life and after a few weeks they won't pay attention to them anymore. Also remember to get him used to car travel by going on short trips first.
4 – Learn the basics gently
Lively, intelligent, but also sensitive, the English Cocker Spaniel must be taught the basics gently and firmly. Positive training is perfect for this energetic dog who will be happy to please you. Deeply attached to their owners, the breed is known to be stubborn and does not tolerate restrictions. Sanctions can develop behavioral problems for this lovely four-legged friend. Encouragement, rewards, complicity and patience combined with play have been shown to be more effective in training the English Cocker Spaniel and many other dog breeds.
A lively and intelligent dog, cuddly, who knows how to melt you with a pleading look, his owner must remain firm in his upbringing. Hurry up with his training if you don't want your dog to become the master of the house. Start with the basics like “sit”, “lay”, “give” or “stay”. The time will come, when these lessons are perfectly integrated, to teach him other commands and even tricks. To train your English Cocker Spaniel puppy, use games and accessories adapted to his age and body shape. By building on his excellent skills and intelligence and repeating each lesson several times a day for several minutes, your puppy will acquire the expected positive behaviors. If you still have difficulties, do not wait for bad habits to be formed and contact a dog trainer who will teach your dog proper behavior.
Very playful and also humorous, he is focused on learning self-control during games. When your puppy becomes too excited, stop at the indifference play phase when he doesn't listen or continues to play. The English Cocker Spaniel loves to please his master so much that these small minutes of inattention will allow him to easily acquire the expected automaticity.
5 – Sports and games
Intelligent, excellent athlete, playful, well-educated also relies on a subtle balance between walks, sports activities and games. When an English Cocker Spaniel does not get enough exercise, it can be less attentive and less inclined to learn new commands. A hunting dog above all, it needs to use its nose for searching, running and even swimming. Without these daily activities, your little companion can quickly develop behavioral problems or depression. A simple daily walk is rarely enough to relieve the energy and stress of your four-legged friend. It is clear that you have to adapt the activities to your age and health. From adulthood, offer him, in addition to hygienic walks, a long walk where he can run or swim. Plan meetings with other animals several times a week so that he can have fun and relax with his other four-legged friends. Hardy, having worked for years on his hunting skills, the English Cocker Spaniel especially appreciates tracking activities and field trials. Obedience, agility or even cani-cross are perfect for this energetic dog.
For the proper upbringing and care of this dog, which often presents itself as turbulent, rely on the advice of its breeder and your veterinarian. Very lively, always ready to play, the English Cocker Spaniel is the perfect companion in family life. You just need to raise him firm and tender and offer him a sports environment where he will show his wonderful energy, always in a good mood. An avid English Cocker Spaniel lover or English Cocker Spaniel owner, share with us the tips and good breeding practices you have put in place to share a rich and loving life with your little companion!