Help with Cocker Spaniel Puppy
Discussion
Hi everyone. I need some advice. I have a 16 week old Cocker Spaniel puppy. He is absolutely gorgeous but I am having problems when walking him on his lead. We started off with a puppy collar and lead which soon proved to be not very useful. He started pulling, especially on the way home. So, on pet shop and friends advice I got him a harness. This seemed to do the trick but recently I have noticed that he is pulling again. Tonight was awful. He pulled and leapt about everywhere. What do I do? I am sure there must be some experts amongst us. He also tries to eat everything that is on the damned pavement!!HELP!!!
Am ready for all the "useful" comments as well.
Am ready for all the "useful" comments as well.
johnnygrunge said:
hard work and patience! Try the head collars,they worked on my springer till he got the idea. Spaniels need to be trained well, so stick at it and be consistent or you'll have a mentalist all your life
Thanks, he's such a lovely natured dog and was doing really well until this last week. I have been ill not able to walk him Monday/Tuesday. I really don't want him to become a loonball!!Someone recommended stopping and making him sit everytime he pulls. I might give this a try.
lottie said:
Hi everyone. I need some advice. I have a 16 week old Cocker Spaniel puppy. He is absolutely gorgeous but I am having problems when walking him on his lead. We started off with a puppy collar and lead which soon proved to be not very useful. He started pulling, especially on the way home. So, on pet shop and friends advice I got him a harness. This seemed to do the trick but recently I have noticed that he is pulling again. Tonight was awful. He pulled and leapt about everywhere. What do I do? I am sure there must be some experts amongst us. He also tries to eat everything that is on the damned pavement!!HELP!!!
Am ready for all the "useful" comments as well.
We had exactly the same problem with our labrador.Am ready for all the "useful" comments as well.
We were recommended harnesses and they are no good.
What you need is a Halti collar.
He might not like it initially but soon will be a dream on the lead.
1. If the dog walks on your right, hold the lead loosely with your left hand.
2. Get a walking stick which is long enough for you to hold in front of his chest when you are walking.
3. As you walk everytime the dog pulls on the lead and hits his chest, or tries to avoid the stick, turn 90 degrees to your right so you cross the dogs path, (holding the lead in your left hand keeps the dog close to your ankles) then take 10-20 paces until the dog pulls again, then repeat. The idea being that the dog realises that he cant make progress on the lead unless you are leading him. Keep doing this in 15-20 minute sessions and the dog will learn not to pull on the lead.
4. If that does'nt work use stick to beat the dog.
2. Get a walking stick which is long enough for you to hold in front of his chest when you are walking.
3. As you walk everytime the dog pulls on the lead and hits his chest, or tries to avoid the stick, turn 90 degrees to your right so you cross the dogs path, (holding the lead in your left hand keeps the dog close to your ankles) then take 10-20 paces until the dog pulls again, then repeat. The idea being that the dog realises that he cant make progress on the lead unless you are leading him. Keep doing this in 15-20 minute sessions and the dog will learn not to pull on the lead.
4. If that does'nt work use stick to beat the dog.
If the worst come to the worst, you could try one of these:
http://www.familydefense.com/stunguns2.htm
http://www.familydefense.com/stunguns2.htm
my dog was expelled from his training school. The owner of the school told my mother that she was wasting her money going. We found that he would only "listen" to my dad so he ended up spending a lot of time with him and he finally became obidient for all of us. Once we had him cracked he was the most loyall dog I have ever seen. It comes down to respect and them knowing who is in charge. I don't beleive in physical force on animals but I will always use a choke chain as it distributes the pressure on their whole neck and not focus it on the wind pipe like a normal collar would.
henpecked said:
Whilst I agree with a lot of what has already been said above remember he is only 4 months old, he'll remain a puppy until 18 months old ish and he's only trying what all kids do, how far can I pish till I get a slap. Choke chain or halti, used both on various dogs with success.
+1. Your puppy will need a lot of work and attention but you will benefit in the long run as you will have a well behaved and enjoyable dog to own. My idiot (Fred, see profile) was very "lively" when he arrived aged 10 weeks but after a few months of focused training and several months of "reminders" he became the wonderful dog he is now. Treats are a good way of getting the attention of a young dog but make sure they always get a treat when they react correctly to their training so they associate the reward with the command you are using. Eventually you can drop the reward bit and they will still obey the command you use.Another shout for the halti here. It is now a dream to walk our springer on the lead, we can now get to the park/beach without having our arms ripped off. You may find that the dog doesnt like the collar at first but stick with it and they will learn to get used to it.
Also the key to anything like this is consistency, make sure that you and anyone else walking the dog are giving exactley the same commands and corrections.
Also the key to anything like this is consistency, make sure that you and anyone else walking the dog are giving exactley the same commands and corrections.
Try this, it may take a good few goes....
When he pulls - you stop & stay there till he stops - carry on
When he pulls - you stop & stay there till he stops - carry on
When he pulls - you stop & stay there till he stops - carry on
When he pulls - you stop & stay there till he stops - carry on
When he pulls - you stop & stay there till he stops - carry on
When he pulls - you stop & stay there till he stops - carry on
You get the idea & so will he sooner or.... later
When he pulls - you stop & stay there till he stops - carry on
When he pulls - you stop & stay there till he stops - carry on
When he pulls - you stop & stay there till he stops - carry on
When he pulls - you stop & stay there till he stops - carry on
When he pulls - you stop & stay there till he stops - carry on
When he pulls - you stop & stay there till he stops - carry on
You get the idea & so will he sooner or.... later
Puppy or dog classes are the way to go.
They will train you to train your dog.
Dogs usually want to please, you have to learn how to communicate and praise when they get it right.
When walking make sure your dog is not out in front, keep his/her shoulders level with your knees.
Common sense really or how is the poor thing going to know you want to turn but you see so many people with the dogs tail by their knees.
When you start to use a choke chain, only a short snap is needed, just to get their attention. Most dogs learn very quickly.
If it's a un nueterd male dog it is often better to have your wife or daughter do the actual course with the dog, then the dog will realise he has to obey everyone not just the one with the same equipment as him.
They will train you to train your dog.
Dogs usually want to please, you have to learn how to communicate and praise when they get it right.
When walking make sure your dog is not out in front, keep his/her shoulders level with your knees.
Common sense really or how is the poor thing going to know you want to turn but you see so many people with the dogs tail by their knees.
When you start to use a choke chain, only a short snap is needed, just to get their attention. Most dogs learn very quickly.
If it's a un nueterd male dog it is often better to have your wife or daughter do the actual course with the dog, then the dog will realise he has to obey everyone not just the one with the same equipment as him.
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