How To Potty Train Your Cocker Spaniel Puppy

English Cocker Spaniel Puppies

Or- now you’ve got me here what are you going to do with me ?

It is a Big New World for your new Cocker Spaniel puppy.
You have just brought it home from the breeder and it is lonely, afraid and right now YOU are the only stable thing in his/her life (even Mum is not there any more !)

Puppies (especially cocker spaniels) are highly dependent on smell – and your house is absolutely FULL of new strange and exciting smells.

What your puppy really wants to do is to explore and find him/her self a comfort zone.

This is most especially true for active and friendly breeds like cocker spaniels.

Your lovely new pet will be making its mind up about your home.
That includes YOU 1

Your puppy will be sizing you up and trying to figure out how best to please and control you (cocker spaniels are like that ..)

It will probably begin by seeking your attention (that includes stuff like eating your slippers ,the skirting boards and carpet.)
Life is going to change for you as well as your pet – but in exchange you will get unquestioning love ,friendship and laughter – oh yes fun too !
Remember that your pet has probably only known its Mum until now - and she made the rules.

So what is the first thing you will get from your pet – the answer will no on the floor .. a damp patch or a charming piece of lovingly crafted poo !
Ok it is a mistake – but what to do about it ?

It is Potty Training time (for the spaniel – not you !) Those cute big round eyes are looking right at you (that’s one of the reasons you got together).

This is not rocket science (although it may sometimes smell like it) but you are going to have to learn the rules and joys of potty training. Then you are going to have to teach your new pal.
Rule number one @
Never get ANGRY with your puppy This is a serious mistake !
It wiil think you do not love him or her and make it much harder to learn the lessons.
Dogs do have emotions and pick up YOUR emotions very quickly.
What you want is to build up TRUST with your dog.
You are training him/her so you do not want to do anything that breaks the new bond between you.

That is rule number one
Try to have patience – this may take a little while.

Lesson Number One :
I have noticed that puppies always chose a specific place to poo (the Potty Spot !)
That is the spot they choose themselves (probably by being trained to do that by their mother - you thought YOU were the first person to train the puppy ? Oh No !)

I hope you have spread newspapers around as you will need them to deal with the mistakes.

Notice that your puppy has chosen their own spot well away from their food or playground, This is normal.

Wherever he/she does an oopsie indoors firmly say NO-NOT THERE in a stern voice.
Be sure to clean it up immediately – I use oil of citronella after cleaning because although you and I cannot smell it,there remains a residual smell that your puppy CAN smell (Spaniels have an acute sense of smell which is why you see them looking fir drugs at the airport). A couple of Drops of Oil of Citronella masks the scent of poo.(get it from your local health food store)

Let your puppy go off to play or eat.You will not get accidents on that spot any more.

Now its time for lesson Two
Immediately after eating take your puppy outside. There is a 3 to 5 minute gap between eating and a puppy having to poo.
YOU choose the new spot you want your puppy to pee and poo on and as it has finished lavish LOTS of praise on it for bring a GOOD DOGGIE !

Take your puppy out immediately it wakes up and just before bedtime to avoid other accidents.
Watch what your puppy is doing – make it into another fun game !
Pretty soon it will either whine or bark at the door to go out by itself.

Actually if possible START by training your Cocker Spaniel puppy outdoors – it is a lot easier and you do not need so much newspaper !
Remember that in cold weather your puppy will need to go out more often.