Springer Spaniel Puppy Training

Springer spaniels long for human approval and so are relatively easy to train. Coach your puppy thoroughly from a young age to prevent behavioral problems from occurring when it reaches adulthood. Puppies are easier to mold than adults who have already internalized bad habits. Springer spaniels enjoy routines and follow them well, so establish regular patterns of activity to avoid difficulties and achieve maximum cooperation from your puppy and lifelong ease of care.

  1. Establish Rules Early

    • Teach the house rules to your springer spaniel puppy as soon as you introduce it to its new home. Do not let the puppy run wild at first because you think it̵7;s adjusting or acting cute. If you let it sit on the sofa or chew shoes in its earliest days at home, it will be much more difficult to have it abandon these behaviors later. One of the most important rules to reinforce is preventing your puppy from jumping up on people and licking them. Whenever it does this, push it down and tell it ̶0;no̶1; firmly. While this might seem cute when coming from a puppy, your springer spaniel will grow larger with age. These behaviors will become less adorable, making your dog seem obnoxious to new people and making you seem like a negligent owner.

    Short, Frequent Trainings

    • Like most puppies, springer spaniels learn new things best when training sessions are short and frequent rather than long and arduous with lots of time passing in between. Take advantage of this dog̵7;s desire to operate within familiar routines by conducting an average of five 10-minute training sessions with your puppy at regular intervals each day. Practice commands, spend time outside house training, and admonish your puppy when it breaks house rules. If you attempt to train your springer spaniel for too long a period of time at once, your dog may become distracted or fail to retain information. Frequent repetition will help your puppy learn as fast and as thoroughly as possible.

    House Training Through Praise

    • Springer spaniel puppies will most likely need to go to the bathroom after engaging in activities such as eating, playing or sleeping. Get in the habit of taking your puppy outside for several minutes after each of these activities. Establish a keyword that prompts your puppy to use the bathroom when outside. Whenever it uses the bathroom outdoors, deliver lavish praise and bring a treat as an extra reward. This will affirm within your puppy̵7;s mind that bathroom functions should never happen in the house, which it will begin to view as its den.

    Word Association

    • Apply a single, strong word to any action you want your dog to learn. For example, use the same terms of praise every time your puppy does something you approve of, such as ̶0;Good boy.̶1; Meanwhile, use another term consistently to scold your puppy when it breaks rules, such as a firm ̶0;no.̶1; Dogs will respond to the emotion in your voice, and may become confused regarding what they did wrong if they sense anger but recognize no familiar command.