How to raise a reliable friend from a Cocker Spaniel puppy. Russian Spaniel is an obedient, domestic and easily trainable dog English Cocker Spaniel training from 4 months

Numerous arguments of dog breeders about the extraordinary intelligence of their pets, unfortunately, are nothing more than an artistic exaggeration. No matter how smart the dog is, she is not able to understand the speech of a person, to realize what they want from her. That is why, for an adequate introduction four-legged friend in human society, every responsible owner is obliged to teach the dog the most necessary skills - that is, to take a training course with him.

Depending on the purpose of the dog, the course may be different: from primary training in the basics of obedience to special targeted coaching for specific tasks. The direction of the targeted training of the dog depends on what function it will have to perform. Guide dogs, search dogs, guard dogs and many more areas are well known. human activity where the abilities of our four-legged friends are applied.

Spaniels - hunting dogs. This mission is in their blood. A three-month-old Cocker Spaniel, who has never seen a game, enthusiastically follows the trail he has found and happily brings a thrown ball. However, to turn these instinctive actions into a polished skill of a serious hunting dog- the task of a coaching specialist. Most often, spaniels are trained to hunt for upland, meadow and lake feathered game, sometimes for a hare.

How to train a spaniel to become indispensable assistant on the hunt? There are methods of training dogs worked out by many generations of hunters, which are simply impossible to retell in a small article. The most reliable thing is to seek advice and help from specialists. This will protect you and your dog from the inevitable mistakes that beginners make. However, several general recommendations about how to teach a spaniel puppy commands, I will allow myself to express.

1. One of the first questions owners face little spaniel How to toilet train a baby? Puddles and heaps in the apartment do not give pleasure to any owner, and the puppy, feeling great dissatisfaction, also receives negative emotions. Of course, the learning process will require time and patience from you. Closely monitor the baby, especially after eating. As soon as he starts looking for a place to relieve himself, spinning in one place, as if “treading on the grass”, immediately take him out into the street. After the toilet is done, praise the puppy. Very soon, he will begin to ask himself to go outside if necessary. Of course, at first, random breakdowns are inevitable. But you don't scold small child for soiled diapers, right?
2. Training should begin at about four months of age. Start with a general course of obedience. Before you start teaching the kid the wisdom of hunting, you need to teach him to respond to his name, to follow the simplest commands (“Come to me!”, “Lie down!”, “Sit!”, “No!”). This is the ABC of the dog training school, without which it is impossible to master the poetry of the high art of hunting ... For each correctly executed command, do not forget to reward the student with a treat or praise.
3. Try to spend as much time as possible with your puppy. At this age, a young dog creates its own picture of the world order, and the person who is constantly next to it becomes the center of its Universe for the dog. Spend your precious time on a little creature that you yourself brought into your home, and one day you will understand how easy it is to train a Cocker Spaniel. Because he will do anything to justify your love.

Spaniels, like all gun dogs, require extensive training before they can be hunted. Practice shows that an untrained dog will seek to hunt on its own, it will simply look for and try to catch game. In the process of preparation, training and coaching, the dog learns to work for the hunter, a hunter-dog pair is formed. Training allows the hunter to control the dog's hunting behavior in the way he needs for a successful hunt, and the dog to understand that he is working in tandem with the hunter.

In the process of breeding spaniel breeds, through artificial selection, the properties necessary for joint hunting with a person were fixed in the breeds: balance nervous system, good trainability, desire to work in contact with the owner, hunting passion, flair, supply of dead game, love of water, exterior that allows you to work for a long time. We, in Russia, have to work in diverse, and mostly strong, lands, on land and water.

The combination of these properties creates a spaniel as a hunting dog, highly valued by hunters.

All these qualities of a spaniel, to a greater or lesser extent, must be revealed by correct and systematic preparation. Only then can we say that the dog is prepared for hunting.

A well-trained spaniel systematically, passionately and quickly searches the grounds in the hunter's shooting range, in accordance with the terrain and the wind, checking the strip tightly, without gaps, working with his instincts, using the smell of the bird's track, or the smell of the bird itself, finds it, showing the hunter with his behavior, that the bird is close. Quickly lifting it on the wing, under the hunter's shot, she herself remains in place. And, on command, it delivers a beaten bird or a wounded animal from land or water from any distance.

In the process of training, the spaniel must go through basic training, just like service dogs go through the first general course training. But initial training spaniel is different from basic training service dogs. This training is based on other principles.

The basic training of a spaniel has three tasks. Home, the dog should be focused on contact with a person. There is no other breed of dog for which the contact between the hunter and the dog would be as important as for the hunting spaniel. After all, he must work constantly in the zone of a rifle shot, that is, continuously monitor the leader, no matter how excited he is by the smells and the proximity of the game, and must be constantly ready to fulfill any command.

The second task is to be obedient, comfortable in Everyday life. The third task is to prepare the dog for training in the field. Without basic training, it is impossible to take a spaniel into the field.

If training is started on time, then the dog will develop skills that can correctly reveal its innate qualities. After the dog firmly understands that only joint work with a person leads to the desired result, she will look at the teacher as the leader of the pack, obeying him with desire, carefully following his commands and trying to please him.

The learning curve of spaniels can vary. In some breeds, the so-called exhibition (show) breeding direction has been formed, in which dogs are selected mainly for exterior qualities. The desired type of behavior in everyday life and hunting is not paid much attention. Therefore, among show breeding dogs, there are often dogs that are vicious, with a stubborn character, which are difficult to train and quickly lose their acquired skills. Working breeding spaniels, in which breeding work pays great attention to working qualities and the desired type of behavior, are easy to train and contact. This applies primarily to basic training.

Training to work in the field, like with other breeds, requires meaningful serious work. It must be taken into account that a first-class hunting dog is not just a combination of good innate qualities and thorough training. She needs hunting experience. But it is dogs that combine good innate qualities and thorough training that are able to learn a lot on their own, gaining hunting experience.

In any case, the first hunting season should be dedicated to correct work dogs on the hunt, and not the amount of game extracted from under it.

MAIN RULES.

1. It is impossible to make a good hunter out of a dog that does not have the appropriate innate qualities.

Pedigree is not just the presence of a piece of paper with seals or compliance with the exterior, it is a complex of psychophysiological qualities that determines the breed. purebred dog descended from many generations of working dogs, so the chance of splitting important traits is minimal. Half-breeds sometimes have working qualities, but do not pass them on to their offspring.

For hundreds of years, hunters have created several breeds of spaniels, selecting them according to the character traits necessary for hunting. But these same properties (not only appearance, but also contact and intelligence) made them popular as companions. And if the breeding of spaniels is carried out without taking into account the qualities necessary for hunting, then they are blurred, and the character is in the first place. The emerging complex character, expressed in arbitrariness, stubbornness, sometimes in aggression towards a person, negates all the qualities that made these dogs so popular.

Many examples can be cited where breeds originally bred for hunting have turned wholly or partly into companion dogs or show dogs and have been completely lost to hunting. These domestic dogs are deprived hunting instinct, and there is very little chance of making them decent helpers for a demanding hunter. Dogs with desirable qualities sometimes appear among show lines, but this is more the exception than the rule.

For our breed, the choice is not yet very difficult, because the Russian hunting spaniel is mainly used for hunting, and those who have shown themselves in the field, and not only at the exhibition, go into breeding. Although the tendency to keep ROSs as companions is also manifested in our country. This will lead to the use of dogs with minimally proven working qualities in breeding, which cannot but cause concern about the future fate of the breed, which was created exclusively as a hunting breed.

If the puppy does not have a pedigree, then he is most likely not purebred (if there are pedigree parents, it is not difficult to get a pedigree). If he has a pedigree of clubs that are not engaged in field work, then he comes from companion dogs in several generations, which means that in addition to appearance flaws, he can carry psychophysical qualities other than those of a hunting spaniel. The probability of raising a dog that has no interest in hunting, vicious and stupid, in this case is quite high. It is best to choose a puppy from ancestors who have demonstrated not just good, but excellent hunting data. Such a puppy, most likely, lends itself well to both initial training and field training.

2. Even if so6aka is excellent material, the preparation must be well planned and systematized, otherwise there will be no good result.

Ideally, learning should progress consistently with no long breaks. In the beginning, everything can be learned with difficulty, the difficulty of the tasks should increase gradually so that the dog can always easily understand what is wanted from him.

If the training is built on solid leadership, then there is hardly any need for punishment. In general, there is nothing unnatural in the punishment, the mother punishes the puppies, the older members of the pack punish. Punishment does not necessarily mean something painful. Dogs are by nature social creatures, and condemnation from elders is very significant for them. When the trainer wants to show that he is dissatisfied, it is enough to chastise the dog or pull it sharply by the scruff of the neck. If it seems to you that you need to use more severe methods to train a dog, then either you are too impatient and inept teacher or your puppy is not diligent enough and requires a special approach.

3. Teach your dog how to behave right from the start.

For example, if a puppy has always been allowed to jump on the couch and roam freely around the apartment, then the dog will be much more difficult to wean from this than if certain restrictions are immediately placed on it. The main rule is never to allow a puppy to do something that an adult dog should not do.

Then he will acquire the necessary behavioral skills at an early age, and they will remain with him for the rest of his life, just as in the upbringing of children. If a puppy is taught to regular regime, right behavior and courtesy, right behavior will come naturally to him.

It is often believed that for the same reason a puppy should not be allowed to chase game (as well as birds, pigeons, etc.), because for a spaniel, chasing game is a disqualifying disadvantage. Not all hunters agree with this approach, and some feel that the dog should be allowed to run first "to ignite his passion for hunting." Others believe that a hunting dog should have a hunting passion in its blood, so nothing needs to be kindled in it. As usual, the truth is somewhere in the middle, and the chosen method of training depends very much on individual features puppy and owner preferences. Some young dogs are easily weaned from chasing, while others, on the contrary, due to the mistakes of the owner, start chasing in adulthood.

Done for sure, however, we can say that working with a puppy does not tolerate dogmas and patterns. It is akin to a narrow path in the mountains, having stumbled once, in best case you will start the climb again.

If the puppy is obedient, soft, then the methods used in working with him may differ significantly from the methods of working with a puppy that demonstrates dominant inclinations. If the puppy is well controlled by character and obedience, if it can be stopped after the bird has been raised, then it should not be considered a mistake to let such a puppy run a little. With him it is much more important to work out the stopping team outside of game work. And for a tied decoy, work out the search with subsequent submission. If the stop command is insufficiently practiced off the field, a single forceful action, when stopping the puppy after lifting, can lead to uncertainty and stopping before lifting the game, which is not acceptable for a spaniel.

It can happen quite differently if a puppy with a strong character, with dominant inclinations, drives the bird away several times under the approval or not very words and commands of its owner. Then the chase will subsequently be removed for a long time and with great difficulty. Therefore, such a puppy should not be taken out into the field until the habit of obedience is so ingrained in him that the owner is completely sure that he can control the dog. You will only develop in the dog the habit of misbehaving when it detects game, and then there will be more problems in training it. The trainer will first have to wean the dog from the wrong habits, and only then instill in it the right ones. Moreover, these wrong habits will doze all the time in the dog and sooner or later will wake up during the hunt at the most inopportune moment.

Very useful is the experience of spanielists in Europe and America, who use small open-air cages to teach a spaniel to work on game, inside which the living conditions, birds or rabbits in nature are recreated. Such enclosures allow you to work out in detail all the nuances of working on game up to shooting and initially limit the area of ​​work of the dog.

Acquisition of a puppy and education of submission.

A small puppy is very receptive to learning from the very beginning, as soon as he enters your home, and it is important not to miss this age, starting from one and a half to two months. At this age, it is better to buy it.

If you know how to use this receptivity, then the chances of raising a good hunting dog will be much higher than if the puppy is not touched until he is, say, six months old.

It is extremely important to understand that little puppy should not be trained in the conventional sense of the word, with a puppy you need to perform small exercises that he will perceive as easy, exciting games.

If the puppy begins to show even the slightest signs of avoiding learning, signs of boredom or fear, classes should be interrupted for a while. At this stage of training, it is impossible to punish the puppy, it is necessary to organize it so that the baby will surely succeed, and always praise him generously if he completes the exercise more or less correctly, then the puppy will strive to please you and will work with joy and desire.

Even a small puppy can and should be given commands - to order to sit down or bring something, in the same way, he can be forbidden something very early - do not jump on the bed, do not go into the kitchen, etc.

Even if he must be kept in an enclosure until he grows up, these exercises must be practiced carefully and constantly. The Spaniel is an “apartment” dog, but, unlike smooth-haired breeds, it can live year-round in the yard, in rather harsh conditions. natural conditions. But the first three or four months of a puppy's life is a period when a connection is established between a dog and a person, it can be left in the aviary alone only from time to time and for a short time. If the puppy does not get to be in frequent contact with people who are kind to him but demanding, he will never feel real closeness with a person, and will not realize the need to obey him, which means that there will be no basis for future obedience and desire to work in contact. .

But you will never become the leader of the pack if you are always kind, 6giving and giving handouts. The puppy will 6deem you weak and ingratiating, 6will grow up independent and may even try to challenge your leadership on occasion. It is necessary to praise the puppy, stroke and treat only when he does what you require from him. The best way to be perceived as the undisputed leader of the pack is to be strict but fair, always being the one who decides what the puppy can and cannot do. In this way, you will gain authority with the dog much faster than trying to fawn, and it will be much easier for you to get him to pay attention to your commands.

It is very useful to train your puppy for certain signals, for example, by calling him with a whistle every time it is time to eat. The puppy will understand that obedience to commands can give good result, and 6will gladly obey in other situations. At the same time, you can teach your puppy to sit near his bowl and wait. Of course, by themselves, such exercises will not make a puppy. a good hunter, but still their value is enormous. The main thing is that the puppy from the very early age must understand that his will will always be subordinated to the will of man. After a short time, he 6will know exactly what is wanted from him, 6will joyfully 6drive at the signal for food and sit down on his own when a bowl of food is placed in front of him. Just in this situation, you can teach the puppy to wait for the command by which you can start eating. After a while, he will realize that he must always look carefully at the owner if he wants to be fed, and at the same time the foundations of his attention to commands in other circumstances will be laid.

Subordination. Often an equal sign is put between the method of educating obedience in service and hunting dogs. This is absolutely false. It is equally untrue that the training of obedience is harmful to a hunting dog, since it hinders the development of hunting passion, fetters it in work. Obedient gun dog - much best helper than independent, because it is designed for hunting with a hunter, and not by itself. Obedience training strengthens the leadership of a person, strengthens the bond between him and the dog, as a result of which a real team of like-minded people is created.

Command "Sit!" As already noted, simple obedience training should begin from the very first days of the puppy's stay in a new home, for example, by giving simple commands and seating the baby. The vast majority of puppies will automatically sit in front of a bowl of food, a tasty morsel, or some other interesting object, if held in front of the puppy a little higher than him. If he tries to 6jump, his hand must be 6quickly removed. If the puppy is sitting, he is calmly given what he wants. This exercise is repeated, but with the “sit” command. As a rule, the puppy will immediately sit down on this command. At the same time as this command is given by voice, it is useful to raise your hand.

This is especially important when raising a spaniel who has to work on a bird, because he will have to sit down at the sight of a rising bird. As soon as the puppy learns to understand the “sit” command given by voice and gesture, you can begin to accustom him to the “sit!” command given by a sharp and short whistle.

A puppy can be taught to sit by placing one hand on its chest and with the other hand giving a friendly but firm pressure on the sacrum while giving the command "sit". Whatever the method, the main thing is to ensure that the puppy does not get up without permission, it is not scary if, at the beginning of learning this command, the puppy will get up on his own, but gradually you need to teach the puppy to sit for as long as the owner wants, i.e. cultivate endurance.

It is also necessary to teach him to sit at a distance from the owner. Start with a few meters and do not get angry if at first he will take off and sit next to you, gradually the puppy will understand what they want from him.

It is necessary to work out the command "Sit!" every time you go for a walk. To do this, you need to seat the dog on the porch and make him wait for permission to run out into the street. it good way show who is the boss in the house, and it is also about taking care of your pet's life - many accidents happen in the yards when the dog jumps out of the entrance right under the wheels.

Team "Come to me!" Each hunting dog must follow the commands of the owner during the hunt, as long as it is within earshot. For feather dogs, this is an absolute must. Training can be started very early by calling the puppy either with a whistle or a series of short whistles. If you give him a tasty piece every time, when he quickly approaches, the puppy will develop from the very beginning positive reaction command, and he will obey it without hesitation. If you call him, squatting down, then the puppy will run up even more willingly. It is very useful, when calling a puppy, to raise your arms to the sides. This is a common gesture for this team, and after a while the puppy will happily run up to see the arms spread out to the sides.

Almost every time the puppy runs up, he should be sent away immediately so that he does not perceive the command to come up as the end of the walk. We must also try not to call the puppy in situations where there is no certainty that he will obey. Having developed unconditional obedience to commands in it, you will lay the foundations for further successful training.

The use of handouts should be gradually reduced, and at the next stage it is necessary to teach the puppy to come when he is busy with something. The time will come when the dog must be required mandatory implementation commands, but you need to be absolutely sure that she hears the signal and knows what this signal means. At this time, the puppy should be at least six months old. If he does not come immediately, he must be given a sharp command "sit!" and he must sit down and look at the owner, after which the command must be repeated, perhaps from a closer distance than the first time. Perhaps the dog will run up immediately, and then, of course, he should be affectionately praised.

Team "Next!" Although many do not see anything wrong with the fact that a hunting dog pulls on the leash, it is still necessary that the dog walks in a disciplined manner. It's not just about convenience, it's also about safety. If you have a loaded gun in one hand, and in the other a dog that pulls, jerks and sometimes jumps under your feet, then these actions are very dangerous for you, for the dog, and for those around you, it’s a little better if the dog rushes about leash when crossing the street.

There is no need for the nose of the hunting dog to be exactly at the lead's left knee. Perfect obedience is, of course, good, but it is more necessary for working dogs. It is quite enough if the hunting dog will be next to the leader, without pulling on the leash.

The command "near!" you can start working out when the puppy is three to four months old. At the same time, the “sit!” command must be firmly learned. It is best to put the puppy next to him, take him on a light and soft leash and take a few steps, trying to make the puppy calmly walk on the left side with his voice and movement. If things go wrong, a bite might help, but the puppy should only get it after it stops and sits on your left. It is important to remember two things here: firstly, you should not immediately demand that the puppy walked flawlessly next to you, and secondly, you need to read from a few steps, then let the puppy run, but always after the “sit!” command. After successful completion, reward him with a stroke and maybe a handout. On this initial stage the use of a strict collar is absolutely excluded. Such a collar is used only for behavior correction, while the dog must understand that he is doing something wrong. Otherwise, she will start to 6be afraid, stop trusting the owner, and it will become simply impossible to train her.

It is very important to praise the puppy every time he does the right thing, otherwise he will not understand what kind of behavior the leader approves of, and will not learn anything. It is necessary to give the command "near!", while pulling the puppy to the leg to your left, and then affectionately praise him when he is in place, and then he will quickly understand what is wanted from him. Sometimes the puppy begins to immediately understand that if at the same time as the command “near!” the owner starts walking, then you have to go on the left side of him.

Remember that you can’t have regular lessons with a small puppy, it’s enough to walk a few meters with him once or twice a day in the right way, and when he is six months old, then 100 meters, after that the puppy must be released and played with him, first seated and praised.

With the right encouragement, he will soon perk up every time he sees a leash training coming up, because he knows he will be played with after that. When the so6aka becomes old enough, she will already understand what they want from her, and the consolidation of commands go faster and more efficient. If the dog has a tendency to disobey, then now it will be possible to use a strict collar, trying not to overdo it. If the dog pulls on the leash, he should immediately be commanded to go beside him, and a second later, pull sharply on the leash so that he is near, on the left side. It will be a big mistake to jerk first and then command, because then the dog will not understand that the jerk can be avoided if he immediately obeys the command.

Team "No!" Too many owners of hunting dogs do not pay due attention to this team. And they make a big mistake. After all, in everyday life the team canceling any action, is very necessary for the owner, regardless of the breed of dog. She is also needed in the process of preparing the dog for hunting. Primary education this command is simple. As stated above: "The main rule is never to allow a puppy to do what an adult dog should not do."

Then he will acquire the necessary behavioral skills at an early age, and they will remain with him for the rest of his life, just as in the upbringing of children. If a puppy is taught a regular routine, correct behavior and courtesy, correct behavior will come naturally to him.

To learn the “No” command, you first of all have to work on yourself. You need to learn to never repeat the "No" command. Action must always follow. Or active praise for performance or punishment for non-performance.

Just remember that for each dog the concept of punishment is individual. And it should be proportional to the mastery of the command by the dog. It helps the dog to understand the command correctly, an exercise in practicing the “No” command while eating. Give the puppy, who has previously mastered the “No” command, eat half the serving, and give the command. Help the puppy to do it, if necessary, by holding it with your hands for the first few times. In the future, achieve the command, gradually increasing the distance at which the dog executes the command, and various distractions.

Innings.

Submission - essential element spaniel work. Without feeding, a spaniel is not a spaniel. At the same time, this is an element of work, during the development of which, unlike other commands, punishment cannot be applied.

It is sometimes said that trouble-free delivery is an innate quality of a spaniel, including Russian. It is more correct to consider that the ability to quickly learn to serve is a pedigree feature of the Russian Spaniel. It is necessary to work out the serve with each dog. Non-serving dogs will not be able to pass the mandatory tests and will be excluded from breeding, so it is very important for the owner not to make mistakes when practicing this element. There is an assumption that the rarely encountered refusal to serve and "tight serve" are congenital faults, but, as a rule, this is still the result of a mistake during the coaching.

Hunters often argue vehemently over the best way to train a hunting dog to serve game. Some argue that this can be taught during play, others say that a well-thought-out training system is needed, based on the innate tendency of the dog to bring to the owner miscellaneous items, there are those who believe that so6aka can be forced to bring game by force.

Yes, innate propensity is very important, otherwise any dog ​​could be taught anything, and there would be no need for various breeds hunting dogs. Of course, game serving training is no exception. And although you can get decent results almost always, if you approach the matter in detail, the dog must still have an innate predisposition for this. In principle, you can teach any hunting dog to serve, if you approach the matter patiently and kindly. In fact, there are also dachshunds, hounds, huskies and terriers who are natural-born feeders, many pet and service dogs can also be taught to bring items. But the ability to serve is most developed in poultry dogs, although pointers, spaniels and retrievers are also very different. Some breeds and some dogs are so fond of serving that they are ready to carry the same object endlessly, others must be persuaded, even if you need to carry something in your teeth for a short time.

But even if your dog is happy to bring you toys, relying solely on the dog's natural inclination to bring items is risky. In the field, one cannot be content with a dog that only serves when it wants to. A good spaniel should always find and bring game on command. In order to get such a reliable delivery spaniel, it is necessary to achieve absolute obedience to the “serve!” command. The art lies in the fact that during training the dog always remembers his duties, but at the same time feels pleasure from the served service.

Starting early to play with a small puppy will help to develop his natural abilities and establish a positive attitude towards such work. With this command, categorical requirements must be resolutely avoided, because such study can do more harm than good. There will still be time to achieve complete submission, otherwise if you start doing it too early, the baby will begin to avoid learning and become stubborn.

Start with a tennis ball, rolling it across the floor in front of the puppy, passing from hand to hand without letting the puppy grab it. After that, give the puppy a ball with the words "Take it." Most puppies grab the ball in their mouth right away and hold it for a while. Without releasing the ball from your hand, say "Give" while carefully turning the ball slightly in the puppy's mouth. And loudly praise when the puppy releases the ball from its mouth. The puppy must understand that the owner really likes it when he gives the ball to the owner. You can repeat if the puppy shows a clear interest in the ball.

If this exercise does not work out, then you need to stop it and try again in a few days. Happened? Puppy at your request "Give" gives the ball himself? Then, after playing with it with a ball, roll it on the floor. Most often, the puppy will pick up the ball and return with it. Some puppies start doing this as early as eight to ten weeks of age, and some much later. You can help the puppy by squatting down when he takes the ball. So he will be more willing to run to you. You need to be patient and wait for this exercise to succeed. It does not matter if it is not immediately, postpone it for a week. It is very important not to scold the puppy, not to try to force him or to mess with him.

Another principle is to never let your puppy chase the ball right away: hold him down for a few seconds after the ball stops, then he will learn to fetch fairly quickly only on command. Often, already at the age of three or four months, the puppy gets used to sitting quietly and waiting for the command “Forward!” If you teach him to do this, then even becoming an adult dog, he will not break loose and run after the feed.

You don't have to go for the perfect pitch right away. It's okay if the puppy releases the ball before you pick it up. The time will come and the young dog will learn how to serve properly. If you try to get everything at once, you can spoil the puppy's enjoyment of the game and turn him away from this activity. When you are sure that he consistently returns with the ball back, you can go to a large room or to the street.

It is more difficult for dogs to handle objects larger than a ball, they must be taught to do this. A suitable improvised item for this is a liter plastic bottle half filled with water and closed with a lid. Exercises must be made more difficult to stimulate the dog and increase his desire to work, so it is better to replace the ball and bottle with a stuffed linen or dummy bird (dummy), bought at a dog supply store or made by yourself.

Many dogs love to play with sticks, even to serve them to the owner to throw them. But such a game does not replace classes with objects intended only for serving.

When the dog is about a year old and fully trained to obey, the exercise can be made more difficult, and obedience must be demanded. The entertaining serve, serve-game, which you have been doing with the dog before, should be replaced with a mandatory serve. Submission on command, which must be carried out unquestioningly. Otherwise, the dog will serve only when he wants to. Classes must be relocated indoors. Sit next to the dog, hold the stuffed animal by its nose and give the command to bring it. Many dogs will grab the stuffed animal before the command is given, you can let it do it once or twice, but then you should always insist that it wait for the command. Some so6aki begin to grab the stuffed animal on command immediately, and some do not seem to understand what they are getting from them, although during the game they brought objects hundreds of times. You must behave calmly and kindly: let the dog take the stuffed animal with his teeth, saying “Take it!”, Then take the stuffed animal from him with the words “Give!” such a dog must be handled carefully so that it does not lose its enthusiasm. Then start getting the dog to hold the stuffed animal in its mouth for a while. Do not rush, gradually increasing the time, at the command “Give!”, She should immediately give the stuffed animal. Do this exercise for several days, but never continue the exercise for more than a few minutes. If the dog releases the stuffed animal, it must be immediately returned to it, accompanying the gesture with the “hold!” command. It is very important to praise the dog, especially at the beginning, when he passes the stuffed animal into your hands. It is necessary to praise only after you take a stuffed animal, otherwise the dog may release it in joy.

The dog now knows the “hold!” command, which can sometimes be useful if you feel like the dog is ready to release whatever it is offering. When the dog learns to sit well with a stuffed animal in his mouth, you can move away from him a few steps, call him, sit him down and command "give!". You can also teach her to walk alongside, with a stuffed animal in her mouth.

In this way, you not only teach the so6aku to serve correctly, it is also an important exercise in general obedience. It must be emphasized that during the exercises described, one should never express impatience, anger, or treat the dog cruelly. Take all difficulties calmly, solve problems in an atmosphere of friendly encouragement and perseverance.

Once the so6aka is good at executing the “give!” command, holding the object for as long as it takes, and releasing it on the “give!” command, it will be possible to combine the throwing with the throwing. The dog will fetch objects quickly and joyfully, but at the same time disciplined.

Shot attitude.

It is very important to teach your dog how to treat shots properly even before he goes hunting for the first time. This is especially important for spaniels, who are in the center of events during the hunt, and the shot is always made next to them. If a dog is afraid of a shot, it will be useless in hunting. Although the predisposition to fear of a shot among Russians hunting spaniels extremely rare, the dog can still be spoiled if it is not prepared to hear the first shots. Fright from an unexpected shot is expressed in the fact that the dog becomes nervous, shows an unwillingness to work and tends to run away or clings to the legs. This is almost as bad as the inherent fear of gunshots, but such a reaction can and should be prevented by accustoming the puppy to shots gradually. You can also scare your dog with fireworks - keep your puppy away from them.

Start training with a starting pistol. Many puppies do not react in any way if a pistol is fired near them, but just in case, you should start shooting at a distance of at least fifty meters, while a second person should be present to play with the puppy at the time the shot is heard. The puppy must continue to play, not paying attention to the shot. If the puppy will not show backlash, the second shot should be fired at the same distance. If you repeat the exercise and gradually reduce the distance, then very soon you will find that the puppy does not pay any attention if you shoot next to him when, for example, he is eating. After that, you can move on to the gun, acting in exactly the same way. Shooting in the immediate vicinity of the dog must be postponed until the time when its training in hunting itself begins.

Car training.

Any hunting dog should tolerate car travel well, so it is imperative to accustom a small puppy to short car trips. Most people prefer to put their dogs in back your car, but this is the most inappropriate place if it turns out that the puppy is motion sick. The farther away from the car's center of gravity, the stronger the turns feel, so it's best to sit the puppy on the floor next to the driver, closer to the center of gravity.

Of course, during the first trip, there must be two people in the car so that the driver can concentrate on the road, otherwise it will be necessary to fix it with a special harness. If the puppy is not allowed to jump on the seat, he will soon get used to staying on the floor. Gradually, he will learn to stay in place even during short stops of the car ( common cause accidents - the dog jumps out onto the road after the owner left). The weather should not be too warm, because sometimes it is too hot in a car with the windows closed.

When the puppy gets used to riding and will willingly jump into the car, you can start to carry him from behind.

Container training.

Once allowed to transport dogs even in the cabin, now the procedure is much more complicated. Dogs can only be carried as luggage, in a container. If you are going to travel somewhere, then you should take care of acquiring it and accustoming the dog to it. While the dog is still young, it is even better to train him to sit in a container during the day - you will have less problems with gnawed things, if that happens. Many dogs even like to have their own sleeping place, and they themselves readily go into the container before the owners leave for work.

Conclusion.

When your puppy will sit down without fail at any distance from you and sit until permission to run further, when he will faillessly drop everything and run to you on the command “Come to me!”, When he will give you abandoned toys on command, then he is ready for activities in the field.

Cocker Spaniels are good-natured, cheerful and playful dogs that make great pets. Fortunately, Cocker Spaniels are very easy to train, especially when they are puppies. Training a Cocker Spaniel will require a lot of repetition, patience, and the use of positive types of rewards. Over time, your dog will become a well-trained and well-behaved pet.

Steps

Cage Training Your Cocker Spaniel

Choose a cage for your Cocker Spaniel. An important aspect The training of the Cocker Spaniel is to accustom him to the cage. If done right, your dog will begin to see his crate as a personal refuge and resting place, rather than a place for punishment. Cages sold in pet stores come in a variety of sizes and are made from a variety of materials, such as plastic, fabric, and metal.

Make the cage comfortable for the dog. The more inviting the cage looks to the dog, the more she will want to spend time inside it. Place the cage in a busy room in your home, such as a hall, and place a comfortable bedding inside. You can also put some dog toys and treats in the cage.

Feed the dog in the cage. When it's time to feed your Cocker Spaniel, place him in a caged food bowl. Position the bowl against the far side of the cage so your dog can go all the way in when he needs to eat. If the dog is not comfortable going all the way into the crate, move the bowl a little closer to the front of the crate, where the dog will be more comfortable.

Extend your dog's time in a locked cage to 30 minutes. Once your Cocker Spaniel is comfortable eating in his cage, he needs to be taught that a longer time in the cage (30 minutes or more) is also comfortable for him. To begin, encourage the dog to enter the cage by pointing at it with your hand and giving the command "cage". When the dog enters, give him a treat as a reward and close the door. Stand next to the cage for 5-10 minutes, and then move to another room so that the dog cannot see you for several minutes. When you return, stay near the cage again for a while, and then release the dog.

Leave your dog in a cage when you leave the house. Encourage your dog to enter the crate before you leave the house. Once she's in the cage, reward her with a treat, close the door, and quietly leave her alone. It is very important not to delay your departure and not make it overly emotional. When you get home, remain calm as you approach the dog's cage to release it.

Training your Cocker Spaniel to walk on a leash

Choose a leash and collar for your dog. If you don't already have a leash and collar for your Cocker Spaniel, you can purchase one from your local pet store. The leash should be about 1.2-1.8 meters long. A regular collar with a buckle for attaching a leash will do. Harnesses, suffocating and strict collars not suitable for teaching a Cocker Spaniel to walk on a leash.

• The leash you purchase must be non-extendable. Extendable leashes actually encourage the dog to keep pulling on the leash and not walk alongside the owner.

1. Introduce your Cocker Spaniel to its collar. This is important if you have a spaniel puppy that has never worn anything around its neck before. It is probably not necessary for adult dog. Place the collar around your puppy's neck when he is busy doing something else, such as while feeding or playing. Leave the collar on your dog even if he tries to take it off. If you remove the collar while the dog is trying to get rid of it on its own, you will only reinforce this misbehavior.

Puppy Socialization

The puppy's socialization stage is the period of his active acquaintance with the outside world. It falls on the age period from 2 to 3 months. At this age, spaniel puppies are very mobile and curious: the kids persevere in exploring and testing all the objects of the new environment in the master's house. The puppy is very interested in various sounds: voices coming from the TV or radio, the noise that occurs during the operation of household appliances, phone calls and etc.
During this period, your pet gets acquainted with many new phenomena and things: furniture in the apartment, flowers and trees on the street, birds outside the window, perhaps some animals that are in your house (cats, hamsters).
Usually puppies treat other living creatures with friendly curiosity. They sniff their new acquaintances, and the loud yelping or barking of a baby is just common reaction to an unfamiliar object.

The period of socialization is considered the most suitable for mastering the basics of training. At this time, you should already start teaching the puppy general commands and actively accustom him to discipline. At this time, the baby must successfully carry out such commands of the owner as “Place!”, “Walk!” and “Come to me!”, and by the beginning of the 4th month of life, master more complex commands. Now he can cope with the implementation of those orders and prohibitions of the owner, which are expressed by the commands “Lie down!”, “Sit!”, “Fu!”, “No!”. It should be remembered that before the baby reaches 2 months of age, it is inappropriate and even harmful to start classes with him, because during training the dog's psyche is subjected to a huge load, which can lead to stress.

Puppies explore all new things, they are very curious

At the age of 2–3 months, puppies have increased excitability and an unstable psyche. During this period, they just need an attentive, sensitive and careful attitude of the owner.
It must be remembered that stress in a puppy can cause not only overwork, but also, for example, therapeutic and prophylactic manipulations, vaccination at the veterinarian, etc. Therefore, going to veterinary clinic, take some treats with you to divert your puppy's attention from the procedures that frighten him.

When raising a dog, one must observe the well-known rule that any extremes are harmful. The owner's boundless love, as well as his excessive severity in communicating with his pet, will not help to grow good dog.
It is very important from the first days of communication with the puppy to make him understand that he must always obey the owner, and try to develop this skill even during the game.

The charming appearance of the spaniel and his good-natured nature often lead to the fact that these dogs are over-pampered from childhood. Punishment in this case does not bring much grief to the puppy, and he can become capricious and self-willed. The successful combination of such qualities of this breed as complaisance and ingenuity contributes to the fact that spaniels very rarely grow up as “uncomfortable” dogs for the family.
One should be aware of the aggressiveness that is sometimes present in the behavior of a small puppy and which is often not taken seriously, which is completely wrong.

A spaniel puppy must be strongly shown from the very beginning that there is subordination in relations with a person. It often happens that the owners only laugh if the puppy growls or tries to bite, for example, in response to an attempt to fix his ears while eating. Therefore, it is sometimes impossible in an adult dog to distinguish congenital aggressiveness from improper upbringing.
Basic negative trait spaniels, inherent in all representatives of this breed, consider their passion for food, clearly superior to the needs of the dog's body. Therefore, the hardest work for the owner is to keep his dog in good shape, not to overfeed him, otherwise the pet will become fat, lethargic and inactive.
Remember what is good physical form- a pledge of cheerfulness, cheerfulness and longevity of your dog.

Basic Prohibition

It is best to start raising a puppy from the moment of the first feeding. Young dogs are constantly hungry. Their sense of smell is well developed, which allows animals to determine exactly what dishes are served on the owner's table. Puppy tactics are quite simple. He sits on the floor in the field of view of the owner and for several minutes carefully watches how he eats. Usually this is enough. The man, looking at the unfortunate, hungry puppy, succumbs to a feeling of pity and gives him a piece from the table.

Never do this! Having given in to the dog at least once, in the future you will no longer be able to insist on your own. The puppy will continue to beg, confident that the owner will not refuse him. If you allow this, not only will it be difficult for you to control your pet's diet, but you also question the quality of his training.
Of course, it is difficult to sit quietly at the table and eat. delicious food while the dog sits next to you and does not take your eyes off you. However, if you show the necessary firmness, the animal will soon realize the futility of its efforts and return to its own bowl.

The feeling of hunger that a spaniel constantly experiences requires you to be especially attentive when walking. Unfortunately, weaning him to pick up and look for something edible on the street is an almost impossible task. Some owners get out of the situation with the help of a muzzle. Spaniels quickly get used to it, and when walking it does not bother them at all.

What can the owner do, wanting to punish the puppy for disobedience or excessive stubbornness? In no case should you beat him: this will lead to negative consequences and will be reflected in the further formation of the character of the dog.
Most effective ways effects on puppies are considered as follows:
take the spaniel by the scruff and lightly press it to the floor or, conversely, lift it up and shake it;
slightly squeeze the puppy’s neck with one hand, and put the other on his muzzle from above and squeeze for literally a second. This action of the owner causes extremely unpleasant and pain, and in combination with the Fu! punishment is very effective for the baby.

The dog must recognize the owner's leadership

During the socialization period, try to teach your pet to establish friendly contacts with other dogs that the owners walk at the same time as you.
Enjoying communication with their own kind, the dog grows more balanced, there are much fewer problems during training.

Period of Dominance

This stage in the life of puppies falls approximately on the 3-4th month of life, when a struggle for leadership begins between peer dogs. The main thing that should happen during this period in the puppy's psyche is the recognition of its owner as the dominant personality, and other family members should also be "higher in rank". Otherwise, the dog will pretend to be the leader, and the owner must always remain such.
A maturing spaniel at the first opportunity will definitely check who is in charge in the family. When playing, he can bite the owner, growl or bark at him. But, each time receiving a worthy rebuff, the puppy begins to recognize the dominant role of a person and learns to obey the owner.

Practice shows that there are three types of relationship between the owner and the dog, which are formed when the puppy reaches 3-4 months of age. In the first case, leadership belongs to a person, in the second - to a spaniel, in the third, a certain equality is established between them.
If you want to raise your dog properly, your personal leadership should be the only acceptable option for you. Therefore, during games and walks, always give Special attention dog's behavior towards you. Restrain your pet's curiosity and emotionality by not letting it pull you one way or the other. Use "Don't" commands and "Fu!", lightly slapping the dog's thigh; over time, she will learn that it is unacceptable to behave with you as she pleases. Correctly well-bred dog will never bark at the owner, especially bare his teeth and growl at him during the game.

Thus, at the stage of dominance, a closer psychological contact is established between the dog and its owner. three month old spaniel proper upbringing fully recognizes the rights of its owner.
It should be taken into account that by the age of 4 months, spaniels (especially males) are already completing the formation of an emotional perception of the world around them, and therefore certain skills and attitudes received from you by this time will remain with your dog for life.
During the period of dominance, the spaniel needs systematic training, during which the owner works out the commands “Come to me!”, “Stand!”, “Sit!”, “Lie down!” with him. Physical and mental stress at this age can gradually increase.
For a 3-month-old spaniel, you should already purchase a collar and walk it on a leash. There are several generally accepted rules that dog breeders use to teach a baby to a collar and leash.

Training a puppy to a collar
The puppy is put on a collar from the age of 3 months, having previously allowed the dog to sniff a new object so that it is not afraid of this procedure.
The first time a puppy is put on a collar a few minutes before feeding, preferably during the game, imperceptibly. During feeding, the puppy is busy with food and reacts less to the collar.
After feeding, it is advisable to take the puppy outside in your arms and let it run in a suitable place for this. You can play with the puppy only after he urinates several times, since the kids cannot get rid of feces and urine at one time.
After returning home, the collar should be removed and put on again before the next feeding.
After repeated repetition of this procedure (usually by 3.5 months), the collar will be associated with feeding and walking.

Leash training a puppy
They choose a long leash, rope or from a strong braid, give the puppy a sniff of it and discreetly fasten it to the collar.
Then you need to run away from the puppy so that he rushes after him with a dragging leash.
After a long game, the leash is unfastened, and after a while it is fastened again. After a few days, the puppy will get used to the leash and will not be afraid of it.

Puppies need to be trained on a collar and leash at 3 months old.
The leash is gradually shortened and, giving the puppy a treat, they walk the pet on a leash, preventing the baby from biting or pulling it.
Under no circumstances should a leash be used to punish a puppy.

Even disciplined dogs can show their hot temper while walking down the street, especially males.
It should be noted that by the age of 4 months, males show high sexual activity and, when playing, they can energetically jump on their relatives or on the owner's leg. Such fun only speaks of the manifestation of the natural sexual instinct of dogs, and therefore you should not be too harsh on such behavior of a pet. It is better to keep your spaniel busy playing on the lawn or in the park so that he can completely turn his attention to something else.