Sprocker Spaniel training can be a breeze. This endearing pooch, a cross-breed of the Cocker Spaniel and English Springer Spaniel, is smart, determined, enthusiastic, and easy to train. Not only that, this Sprocker Spaniel is energetic and eager to please his owners.
Here we have prepared a handy guide to make training more fun, enjoyable, as well as successful for both you and your Sprocker Spaniel pup.
1. Use Positive Reinforcement in Sprocker Spaniel Training
This Sprocker Spaniel training method is also called reward-based training. Positive reinforcement involves rewarding your Sprocker by giving him yummy treats or supportive praises to encourage him in following your training commands correctly. Furthermore, it would help produce positive outcomes.
As soon as you give your Sprocker Spaniel his much-deserved reward, his correct behaviour is established or ‘marked.’ Thus, he would now understand that he must first carry out the task to receive a reward.
How Your Training Area May Affect Your Positive Reinforcement Training
When training your Sprocker Spaniel, the place where you carry it out can affect his focus in learning new training commands. If you brought him to a lively dog park, he would be met by several distractions and difficulties. So be sure to reward him fairly for working hard.
Below is the hierarchy of rewards for pooches:
- Use low-value treats such as dry biscuits, carrots, or kibbles when doing rewards-based training at home with few disturbances.
- Medium-type food rewards for your Sprocker Spaniel include meaty-type treats or commercial training treats. Use these treats when training him in the garden.
- Reward him with high-quality treats if you are training your dog in a park. This can be in the form of premium; crispy, soft dog treats with an appetising aroma or flavour.
However, every pooch has different preferences and will not necessarily put the same importance on these treats. Try giving your Sprocker Spaniel a variety of food rewards to discover what his favourite is, and then you can structure his reward system from there.
When training your Sprocker Spaniel, never use punishment methods such as choke collars. Being subjected to such treatment would make your Sprocker feel ashamed and discouraged.
Most importantly, it would only make your Sprocker Spaniel fear you and ruin the trust that he has given you. So stick with positive reinforcement and rewards-based training as it provides a better motivational effect on your dog.
2. Keep Sprocker Spaniel Training Sessions Short.
Sprocker Spaniels are lively and energetic dogs. It also means that their attention span is short since they cannot sit still. They love to indulge themselves with more playtime sessions.
Instead of training your Sprocker for 30–60 minutes, you should cut it down to no more than 15 minutes 4 to 6 times a day.
Hints that your Sprocker training session is too long:
- Your Sprocker loses interest in rewards.
- He pays more attention to his surroundings than to you.
- He is slow to respond to your training commands.
- He walks away from you.
- Your Sprocker makes more mistakes.
If your Sprocker Spaniel tends to do the mentioned behaviours above, it is time to stop training. Let your dog recuperate his energy and start another training session the next day.
2 Methods to Get Your Sprocker Spaniel’s Attention
Catching and keeping your Sprocker Spaniel’s attention is one of the most important factors for an effective Sprocker Spaniel training session. The following are two ways to make him pay attention to you.
Method 1: Eye Contact
- Prepare a bag of treats during Sprocker training as a reward for your dog every time he does well.
- Get him to sit down, and also sit beside him.
- Wait for him to look at you before saying the training command. This step may take some time, but it is the most important part of the Sprocker training, so you need to be patient.
- Once he makes direct eye contact with you, reward your Sprocker Spaniel with encouraging praises and give him a yummy treat.
- Repeat steps 1 to 4 until he understands that he will be rewarded for making eye contact with you.
Method 2: Hand Targeting
- Place your hand in front of your Sprocker Spaniel’s face. Put your palm directly in front of his face and say nothing.
- Once he touches your hand with his nose, immediately reward him with praise or a treat.
- Continue repeating this exercise until he understands that when your hand is in front of him, he can get the rewards by touching it.
3. Be Your Sprocker’s Alpha.
If you can establish your dominance as the alpha to your Sprocker, he will become more responsive and frequently obey your training commands.
However, being alpha does not mean you should use brute force or instil fear to make him follow you. Instead, your leadership must be executed with confidence, consistency, silent dominance, and resource control.
4 Ways to Become an Alpha
There several ways to assert your dominance over your Sprocker Spaniel. All of them focus more on attitude than action. We have compiled a few tips to guide you on establishing a clear leadership to your Sprocker Spaniel.
Tip #1: Avoid overpampering your Sprocker.
It is understandable that as a dog owner, you love to show affection towards your pet. However, avoid fussing over your Sprocker Spaniel.
Do not pamper him too much, or else you will lose your position as the alpha. Just remember that being an alpha is equal to being a responsible parent towards a child.
Tip #2: Do not let your Sprocker jump on you or others.
Puppy jumping is a form of greeting, but it is also a rude gesture and another form of dominance. You can give him a verbal correction such as sharply saying no.
Tip #3: Tap him under the chin.
If your Sprocker Spaniel makes an indecent behaviour, tap him under the chin. Alpha dogs use that method to correct their subordinates. Use one or two fingers, then tap underneath his chin.
Tip #4: Be the one in control during playtime.
Be the one who initiates the game and sets the rules. Start and stop the game, not because he tells you to. If he refuses to listen to your instructions, instantly ignore him and walk away.
4 Tips on How to Crate-Train a Sprocker Spaniel Puppy
Sometimes crate-training your puppy can be challenging. Here are a few useful tips that can help you teach your puppy how to love his crate:
Tip #1
His crate should be his safe haven, thus making it comfortable and safe. Place it away from direct sunlight. It should not be in areas where there are heat sources or prone to draughts. Make sure to line the bottom of the crate so your Sprocker puppy can lie comfortably.
Always remove his collar and lead before he gets into the crate, as these can easily get snagged and choke him.
Tip #2
Positive reinforcement and rewards-based training also come into play when you crate-train your puppy. Let your Sprocker Spaniel associate his crate with positive situations. Every time he goes inside, give him praise or treat. Another effective way is by simply placing his meals inside the crate.
Tip #3
If your Sprocker Spaniel has gotten used to spending a few minutes in the crate, do not be in a hurry to shut the door. You may close it for a few seconds, then reward him with a treat through the bars.
Then gradually increase the duration the door is closed. Never force him to stay inside as it would only lead him to fear his den instead of finding it comforting.
Tip #4
Do not place your Sprocker Spaniel in the crate for too long. Puppies under 6 months should not be in their den for over 3–4 hours. If they stay inside for extended periods, they will lack mental stimulation and exercise, contributing to developing destructive and bad habits.
Sprocker Spaniel Training Sessions Are Enjoyable When Done Right.
Start training your Sprocker Spaniel at an early age. Give him an ample amount of time to train, reward him, and be a firm leader. Following these recommendations will make training your furry buddy more exciting and fun.
Since you can easily encourage your Sprocker Spaniel and earn more of his trust, training will become an experience that will solidify your bond.
