Gundog Training Forum

Hi , I have reserved a cocker from a litter due shortly. This is my second dog I will be training , my 1st ESS(now 3) has turned out well, well turned out in my opinion maybe not others a good beating/shooting dog . What I would like to know is what is the difference between the training of the two types of dog is and is it a lot harder training a Cocker v a Springer ? I have read on a couple of trainers sites that Cockers are later maturing so they start training later than a Springer ? I do have a friend who has Cockers and is there to help me with training . I am just interested in others thoughts on what they think or have found themselves when training each type of dog ?

Thanks,
Mark

Train the same, start as early as you can

Just don't expect it to work the same as a Springer nor have the same attitude to life, they do the same job but are different in mentality.

Edited to add;
viewtopic.php?f=9&t=21333

I train both breeds in the same way but have to use my sense of humour more with the average cocker. I think cockers are fast learners but they will tend to throw unwanted behaviours at you from time to time.....that's when you need the sense of humour !

Wullie

romanriver wrote:Train the same, start as early as you can

Hi and thanks for your reply's. when you say as early as you can what age roughly are you talking about ?
are they more sensitive than springers ? just wondering as like I had said one trainer I was reading who trained them did not start until they were around 10-12 months as he said they did not mature as quick as a springer ? he also said that they were more sensitive also
Mark

start at 7/8 weeks, some trainers have to leave the dog until it is old enough to cope with a hard regime.

romariver is right. start ASAP, but with fun stuff/using praise and/or food and keep training sessions short. I go through a lot of cheap hotdogs with puppies (teaching hup/stay/come, etc).

manx wrote:Hi , I have reserved a cocker from a litter due shortly. This is my second dog I will be training , my 1st ESS(now 3) has turned out well, well turned out in my opinion maybe not others a good beating/shooting dog . What I would like to know is what is the difference between the training of the two types of dog is and is it a lot harder training a Cocker v a Springer ? I have read on a couple of trainers sites that Cockers are later maturing so they start training later than a Springer ? I do have a friend who has Cockers and is there to help me with training . I am just interested in others thoughts on what they think or have found themselves when training each type of dog ?

Thanks,
Mark

Saw this, thought I'd post the link FYI. http://thehappypuppysite.com/cocker-spaniels/

Forget about it being a cocker. Train the dog in front of you and not it's breed.

Wullie

trekmoor wrote:Forget about it being a cocker. Train the dog in front of you and not it's breed.

Wullie

Very wise words Wullie! I have two 18 month cocker dogs, they are litter brothers, but they are like chalk and cheese. One picks everything up really quickly, no messing around is totally focussed on me and desperately wants to please me. The other....well, what can I say...he's a real quirky character! He tests me to the limit, I'm bringing him on very very slowly, just getting him to sit still on his backside is a struggle! I know he will make a good dog in the end, but it will take a lot longer to get there!