Tuesday, December 14, 2010

The Basics of Spaniel Training

By Derek Solomons


Training is a big responsibility that every dog owner has to take seriously. After all, having a dog doesn't start and end with buying one and then taking him home. You will have to make sure that the dog knows how to handle himself around people and how he should behave at all times. Furthermore, you have to make sure that the dog serves the purpose for which you acquired him in the first place.

Some people buy a dog just to have a pet in the house. Others choose to have guard dogs, while still others buy dogs for hunting.Whatever the reason you have chosen to buy one of these adorable Dogs you will have to learn the basics of spaniel training.

The good news is that most spaniels are very easy to train. Nevertheless, an effective spaniel training program requires a logical flow and a great deal of patience. Here are some spaniel training tips to help you get started.

First, you'll have to consider the exact breed of dog that you have. Spaniels come in several different kinds and they all have different temperaments and specific training needs. While all spaniels can be trained, some breeds perform a lot better than others. Experts recommend buying pups of spaniels from registered pedigree breeders.

When you begin spaniel training, be sure to start with the simplest and most basic of commands. The basic commands that are most commonly used in hunting are "stay," "come," "go," "heel," and "fetch." Wait until your dog has mastered all of these commands before you start teaching him how to retrieve game. In teaching your dog how to retrieve, use something that he is comfortable with, such as his favourite toy. Throw the toy, give him the command to fetch and then give the command for him to "come" once he has the toy in his mouth. You are now ready to move on to the more complicated part of Training, which originates from hunting and is known as flushing. In this part of spaniel training, you will have to teach your dog to move right, left, and forward. This part of training is best done on a field. Allow your dog to do a bit of roaming and then command him to stop and then sit. Move towards the left side of your dog and then command him to "hunt" by moving towards you. Once they get used to this new command, start working on the other side. Keep working on the "hunt" command until your dog learns to hunt in a zigzagging forward pattern with his nose close to the ground.

It is advisable to use praises when training your spaniel, but limit the use of treats, especially during the retrieve training. And while professional training may ensure that your dog learns quickly, it is still best to participate actively in spaniel training so that your dog will get used to taking commands from YOU rather than from someone else.




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