American Cocker Spaniel | Dog Breed Facts and Information – Wag! Dog Walking

Pastimes

Go to Park

Walk

Run

Explore the woods

Hike

Chase

Tracking

I have worked in canine behavioral evaluations and as an adoptions councilor matching prospective family with shelter dogs to create forever homes.
Each breed has their own innate natural instincts, which are brought out through environment, interactions and experience.
Professionally, I currently walk an American Cocker Spaniel twice a week, and have evaluated the temperaments of numerous cockers as an adoptions councilor.
Personally, I have lived with a cocker, and have had family members with them.
Cocker Spaniels are bursting with emotion! They can be incredibly friendly, energetic, outgoing and eager to please.
They are prone to fear, and can become nervous if grabbed at, or surprised. They air on the side of caution, and are not afraid to nip at you if they perceive a threat.
While there is never a need to scream or shout at a dog, cockers are especially sensitive to anger and frustration. Never shout at a cocker spaniel, or swiftly snatch at them.
They are intuitive and know when they have disappointed you, so make behavior corrections soft and brief. A simple “No, leave it.”, followed by showing them the desired behavior is enough to help them make good choices.
Harsh correction for Cocker Spaniels can lead to resentment, fear, and secretive behavior. For example, if you shout at the Cocker for peeing on the carpet and offer no positive enforcement, they may assume you dislike seeing the behavior, leading them to pee behind couches, or when you leave the room.
When I walk a Cocker Spaniel, I am sure to announce my presence at the door, and allow the cocker to come toward me. I will sit down on the floor, and use a soft, affectionate voice, while avoiding eye contact. This allows the cocker to approach on his own terms.
If the cocker is nervous about touch, I will loop the leash over his head in a slip lead. This allows the cocker to feel “caught”, and they most often relax, knowing that I have taken control of the situation.
I will then pet the cocker on the head, working my hand towards the collar to clip the leash as the cocker becomes comfortable. Then, once clipped, I remove the slip lead.
Usually once we head outside, the cocker catches a scent, and forgets all about their nervousness!
Cockers love to track and scent, so I allow the dog to choose our path (when reasonable), and look for areas with lots of bushes, where they may find birds, bunnies, and other fun smells!
Usually, the breed of dog dictates what type of walk they need. Cockers naturally love to track. So while running 3 miles may tire the average pup, you may find it does nothing to satisfy a cockers exploring nature. Walks that allow the cocker to follow his natural need to scent out and “hunt down” scent sources, maintain a scent trail, and discover a source will do more for his temperament and benefit his behavior at home more than a long run could ever do!
I teach all my dogs commands such as WAIT (when we need to stop for a moment) , LISTEN (for when I need their attention), SIDEWALK (for when I need them back on the sidewalk) and CROSS (for when crossing all intersections, they know to walk a straight line across).
Teaching these commands strengthens our bond, and helps the cocker relax, because he always knows what is expected of him!
In addition to commands, I talk to the dog when walking, engaging him in listening to human speech, and shower him with praise for everything he does “right”.
Time spent with a cocker should be filled with positive reinforcement and reassurance, as they are prone to stress over almost nothing.
It is also important when returning home to check the dogs paws for thorns trapped within their thick fur, and to wipe down their face and neck. Scenting dogs can produce lots of drool, and folds in their fur can become infected and painful if not cleaned and dried. Cockers need daily grooming to stay clean and healthy!
I love Cocker Spaniels, it is just wonderful to work with a dog that is so full of energy and emotion, and to show them how fun the world can be!