Obedience training for a cocker spaniel?
11 Jul 2010
I have a cocker spaniel that is turning two this month, and am needing some advice on training dogs. I’ve taught her the basic commands: sit, lay down, shake, roll over, come, stay, etc. The only problem is that as soon as a distraction enters the picture, the obedience goes out the window. For example, if it is just the two of us & I say, "Lucy sit." She sits immediately. Now add a couple of kids & maybe a squirrel out in the yard into the situation, and she’s all over the place. How do you teach your dog to focus?
Professional training for both of you.
5 Responses
2010 Jul 11
I too have a cocker and he’s 2 1/2 and he’s incorrigable. He’s in obedience training and it’s a waste of time and money. He does a sit/stay until I move and he follows me. He won’t leave my side until kids, dogs or other distractions show up and then he won’t pay attention to me at all. All the training is for naught. He’ll respond in private for me but that’s about it.
I’ve decided he’s a good dog. He knows his basics. He loves people,children, other dogs and me. So what more do I need? He’ll follow me anywhere without a leash and he doesn’t snore. I’m quitting the obedience classes. I don’t want to mess up a good thing. LOL
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2010 Jul 11
Professional training for both of you.
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2010 Jul 11
I had the same issue with my dog.
What I did was teach my dog the "Watch me" command.
To do this, use treats (or toys – whichever your dog prefers).
Command Lucy to sit (in a quiet place without distractions – except a friend).
Call Lucy’s name. She should be looking at you.
As she’s looking at you, have your friend make a noise.
As soon as her head turns to your friend, call her name, put the treat (or toy) in front of your nose (make sure it doesn’t cover your eyes – eye contact is everything in dog training) and say "watch me". As soon as she does, hold your gaze for a second, then reward her with thats in front of your face. Repeat this and gradually wean off the treat. Add larger and greater distractions as you go along.
I attached links. Hope this helps.
References :
http://www.ehow.com/how_5558630_teach-dog-watch-command.html
http://www.dogguide.net/watch-me-command.php
http://www.ehow.com/how_4739363_train-dog-focus-watch.html
http://www.loveyourdog.com/watch.html
2010 Jul 11
When she stops listening say "Lucy" kind of pinch her back (not a actual pinch just rub your fingers) she look then say "Lucy sit" Another way is to put her on a lead, when she stops concentrating on you begin to walk the other way. This is how I thought my Pitbull and after about two week of this I would say sit, he would sit and he would look around but one he heard his name he would look up at me.
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2010 Jul 11
This is a normal phase of training. You need to gradually expose her to distractions (like kids and squirrels) and demand more from her. Don’t go straight from working alone to working in the middle of a busy environment.
For example if you go to a park to train…go to a quieter part of the park where she can see the activity going on, but it is far enough away that you can get her attention. Once she consistently works there, move a little closer and so on. This is a gradual process…it won’t happen in one day but eventually you should be able to get her to work even with kids running around her. How fast it happens depends on your dogs willingness to please, how much work you put into it, and your abilities as a trainer to help her understand what you want.
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