Cocker Spaniel
Cheerful, affectionate and eager to please, the Cocker Spaniel was developed to flush and retrieve game birds. It has a merry nature and a nose for adventure.
Photo: Mike Baird · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons
- Bred for
- Flushing and retrieving game birds
- Typical energy
- Moderate to high
- Size
- Small to medium
Where to start
Usually motivated by food, praise and play. Use that in training and keep sessions short and rewarded.
First focus
Teach recall early and practice it on a long line, because spaniels love to follow their noses.
Next
Use games and food, and keep your voice happy: Cockers are sensitive to harsh handling.
Daily habit
Start grooming handling early, since the coat needs regular brushing.
Breed notes describe tendencies in a group of dogs, not your dog. Every dog is an individual, and Dogify does not assess your dog. This is general training information and not a substitute for a qualified professional.
Chosen for the Cocker Spaniel
How to teach your puppy to come when called
A five-step recall plan that turns your dog's name into the best sound in the world, from the living room to the park.
A five-minute weekly grooming routine
Teach your dog to enjoy being handled, then fit brushing, paws and nails into one short routine you can keep up every week.
Positive reinforcement explained: why reward-based training works
What reward-based training is, why timing matters and what a professional society for animal behavior says about the methods you choose.
