As a proud owner of a spaniel, you may already be aware of the many wonderful qualities these dogs possess.
They are intelligent, loving, and highly trainable, making them the perfect companion for families and individuals alike.
However, in order to fully enjoy all that a spaniel has to offer, it is essential that you take the time to properly train your pet.
This includes teaching them a variety of essential commands, which will not only make your life easier, but will also help to keep your spaniel safe and well-behaved.
The essential spaniel commands are…
Sit: The most basic command of all
Stay: Necessary for safety and control
Come: Spaniels love to run free, but they need to come back when told
Heel: Don’t let your spaniel pull your arm out, teach him to heel
Leave it: Vital for a whole load of reasons, with safety being a big factor
The importance of basic commands
Basic commands are the foundation of all dog training, and are essential for establishing a strong and healthy relationship between you and your spaniel.
Not only do they allow you to communicate clearly and effectively with your dog, but they also provide them with a sense of structure and routine.
This can help to reduce anxiety and behavioural issues, as well as promote overall well-being.
The most essential commands for your spaniel
The following commands are considered the most essential for any spaniel training programme:
Sit:
This is one of the most basic and essential commands for any dog, and is the foundation for many other commands.
To teach your Spaniel to sit, hold a treat in front of their nose and slowly raise it above their head.
As they lift their head to follow the treat, their hind end should naturally lower into a sitting position.
When they do sit down, give them the treat. Repeat this process at mealtimes when serving their food.
Stay:
This command is crucial for keeping your spaniel safe and well-behaved in a variety of situations.
To teach your spaniel to stay, start by having them sit or lie down, and then hold your hand out in front of them with the palm facing them.
Give the command “stay,” and take one step back.
As long as your spaniel remains in the same position, reward them with a treat or praise.
Gradually increase the amount of steps that you take back, always rewarding the dog when he does what is needed.
Come:
This command is essential for recalling your spaniel, whether you’re out for a walk or in your own garden.
To teach your spaniel to come, start by calling their name in a happy and upbeat tone.
When they look at you, give the command “come” and hold out a treat as an incentive.
With time you’ll be able to introduce a whistle to call your spaniel back.
Heel:
This command is essential for keeping your spaniel by your side when out on walks.
To teach your spaniel to heel, start by having them sit or stand by your side.
Give the command “heel,” and take one step forward. If your spaniel stays by your side, reward them with a treat or praise.
If your spaniel pulls ahead, then stop, encourage him back to your side and begin again. Make turns to the right and left as you progress and remember to always reward your dog when he gets it right.
Leave it:
This command is essential for preventing your spaniel from eating or interacting with potentially dangerous or harmful items.
To teach your spaniel to leave it, place an object on the ground, walk your dog towards it while on the lead, and give the command “leave it.”
Encourage your dog to ignore the object and reward him with a treat when he does.
Introduce different objects as he becomes more proficient, rewarding him when he ignores the item.
One of the best spaniel training books
Training tips and tricks
Keep training sessions short and sweet.
Dogs have a short attention span, so it’s important to keep training sessions to a maximum of 15-20 minutes.
Use positive reinforcement. Dogs respond best to positive reinforcement, such as treats, praise, and petting.
Punishment is useless, your dog won’t understand and you’ll frighten him if you resort to this.
Be consistent. It’s important to use the same commands and rewards every time you train your spaniel.
Be patient. Training takes time and patience, so don’t get discouraged if your spaniel doesn’t catch on right away.
Final Words
Training your spaniel is an essential aspect of being a responsible and loving pet owner.
By teaching the essential commands such as sit, stay, come, heel, and leave it, you are not only helping to establish a strong and healthy relationship with your dog, but you are also helping to keep them safe and well-behaved.
Remember to keep training sessions short and sweet, use positive reinforcement, be consistent, and be patient.
With time, patience, and a little bit of effort, your spaniel will be a well-trained companion that you can be proud of.
In conclusion, spaniel training is a continuous process that requires patience, consistency and positive reinforcement.
With the right approach and training techniques, you can enjoy a well-behaved, obedient and friendly companion.
