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12 tips for potty training a cocker spaniel

So you’ve finally brought home the puppy you’ve always wanted. Once the excitement wears off, you’ll quickly remember that Cocker Spaniel potty training is extremely important. If you don’t properly train your puppy, the whole house could end up needing carpets replaced or wood floors sanded and stained again. That’s certainly not something you want to go through.

One of the first things you’ll want to do is make sure everyone in the family is on the same page regarding training. There has to be a training method and a way to handle corrections. This is the only way to make sure your puppy can potty train quickly. For example, everyone should know that you are using positive reinforcement, not negative reinforcement. Cocker Spaniels are naturally happy puppies. They like to play, so patience will be required. The Cocker responds very favorably to positive, smooth and responsive handling.

Decide whether or not you want to teach your puppy to use a pee pad around the house or if you want the puppy to be trained to go outside. Cocker Spaniel potty training is easy to do, once you know what exactly you are trying to accomplish. You also need to make sure you are consistent. You want to make sure you stay on top of the training process so you don’t cause delays.

When your puppy goes to the bathroom in the right place, be sure to offer positive reinforcement in the form of a treat or lots of verbal praise. When your puppy starts to have an accident, simply pick him up and place him in the designated spot where he can relieve himself. Over time, your puppy will take notice and learn where he can go to please you.

Here are some tips and things to look for in potty training a cocker spaniel

1) Be aware of your cockers’ body language, watch for signs that suggest that your dog is getting anxious by circling or sniffing from one place to another. Erratic behavior is also a good sign to look for.

2) Puppies need to go to the bathroom more often. Take the puppy to the desired potty spot as soon as he wakes up, just after a short nap, after meals, after playtime, after being in the crate, and just before retiring for the day.

3) Cocker Spaniels are a gentle and sensitive breed by nature. During cocker spaniel potty training, they respond best to positive reinforcement. Praise your dog after he has emptied himself. Reward it with a treat immediately afterward. Be consistent and your puppy will associate good behavior with reward and praise.

4) Sign training to let you know when your puppy wants to go outside can be accomplished by hanging a bell or tapping at his level when going to the bathroom area. It rings the bell or chimes with its paw. Then get out quick. The puppy will quickly learn this little trick. Be consistent.

5) Do not allow your dog to roam around the house during cocker spaniel potty training. This will make it easier for you to detect the signs that the dog may be exhibiting and prevent accidents.

6) It is very rare for a Cocker Spaniel to go against their house training. Health or medical problems can lead to unexpected accidents.

7) Cocker spaniels don’t like being together. If you don’t put your dog in a crate while you’re away for three to four hours, you can expect to come home to a dirty area. This is mainly due to separation anxiety. At some point, leaving the radio on helps while you’re away.

Living in a tall building has its own challenge. You can teach a small dog to potty in a litter box. Use the same tips above to keep an eye out when Mother Nature is calling. Stay with your Cocker until it has emptied itself. Reward your dog with treats and lots of praise.

9) Puppies need to go more often than adult dogs. Take the puppy to the designated area after napping, eating, drinking, playing, and after waking up in the morning. The puppy will soon get the idea. Don’t forget to associate good manners with lots of compliments and a taste.

10) If you have an older dog with potty problems, it’s best to start all over again and retrain your dog. Watch for signs that your dog may want to revive himself. Keep the dog under close surveillance for signs.

11) Consistency and positive reinforcement will do wonders and make you the proud owner of a broken Cocker Spaniel. Remember that all family members should be in tune with Cocker Spaniel potty training.

12) Don’t expect a miracle overnight and you won’t be disappointed. Potty training can take months to deeply integrate the behavior. You should start to see results in as little as two weeks. Being consistent will shorten time. If you make waffles in training, it will take longer.

Positive House Breaking Box Training

There is also the cage training option for Cocker Spaniel potty training. With the proper size cage, you will find that your puppy will not go to the bathroom in the cage. This is because you don’t want to go where you sleep. As soon as you get your puppy out of the crate, take him to the place where he is allowed to go. Stay there until he does, and then when you do, be sure to give him lots of additional praise. It is important to make sure that you always keep the crate as a positive place for your puppy to be. Never send your Cocker Spaniel to the crate as punishment, as this could cause him a lot of emotional distress that will make the entire training process that much more difficult.

Get help with Cocker Spaniel potty training

If all else fails, you may want to consider seeking some additional help. There are many places that offer house-breaking classes for a reasonable price. Although this is something you can still master on your own, it might be a bit easier to get that little extra help. Depending on your dog’s personality and how consistent you are with Cocker Spaniel potty training, your puppy could be potty trained in a matter of a couple of weeks. The less consistent you are with the training, the longer the entire process will take.

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