House training a cocker spaniel within seven days is possible as this breed is always eager to please and reacts well to positive reinforcement training. But how can it be done?
Here’s how to train your cocker spaniel in 7 days:
- Choose the best bathroom spot.
- Don’t leave your dog alone.
- Take your dog outdoors for the toilet at key times.
- Use signal training.
- React quickly if your dog tries to eliminate indoors.
- Offer positive rewards.
This article explains in-depth how to train your cocker spaniel in a week, so keep reading.
1. Choose the Best Bathroom Spot
The first step in house training your cocker spaniel is to find a suitable outdoor space for them to eliminate.
A shady side spot on the lawn usually is perfect as dogs typically prefer quiet, out-of-the-way places to do their ablutions where they can’t be disturbed. If you live in an area with a lot of rainfall, you might want to choose a place that provides shelter while you wait for your cocker spaniel to eliminate.
Another reason to choose a sheltered spot is that many dogs don’t enjoy using the toilet outdoors when it’s too rainy, windy, or sunny, and may try and keep it in if these are the conditions.
Take your dog to this spot each time, as the smell from previous urine may encourage it to go again. If your dog has previously made a mess inside, clean these areas thoroughly to discourage them from doing so again.
2. Don’t Leave Your Dog Alone
House training a cocker spaniel is an intense process, but luckily it can be done within a week.
During your dog’s house training, you should try not to leave them alone as much as possible. This will allow you to react promptly if you notice they need to use the toilet. Your cocker spaniel should also not be left alone at the bathroom spot as they can easily get distracted.
3. Take Your Dog Outdoors for the Toilet at Key Times
Feeding your cocker spaniel on a regular basis helps to establish a regular toilet schedule, too.
Dogs typically need to defecate soon after meals as nerves in the stomach signal the colon when it is full, triggering the need to eliminate. Therefore, you should be on high alert just after your cocker spaniel has eaten so that you can take them outside as soon as you can.
If you have a puppy, they will need to eliminate more regularly than a fully-grown dog.
Puppies should be taken outdoors for the toilet roughly every two hours. You should also take them out first thing in the morning, after a nap, after they’ve had water, and after they’ve been playing.
If your cocker spaniel seems anxious or whimpering, it may be a sign that they need to use the toilet. Other tell-tale signs of needing the toilet could be squatting, circling, and sniffing the floor intensely.
Taking them out at these critical times allows the cocker spaniel to learn that being outside is the right place when they need to urinate or defecate.
4. Use Signal Training
Cocker spaniels pick up human cues fairly quickly, and it’s a good idea to use a phrase for using the toilet, such as “go potty.” Since they are always eager to please, your cocker spaniel will understand this phrase to mean that you want them to go to the toilet and will comply if they can.
Adding to this, you could use physical signal training. This usually involves placing a bell near the door that your dog can ring with its paw when it needs to use the toilet.
You can introduce signal training by ringing the bell each time you take your dog out for the toilet. They will quickly associate this with going to the bathroom and may ring the bell themselves whenever they need to eliminate.
Some pet stores and big stores sell house training doorbells. These are typically a string of bells that can be hung from the door handle and are within easy reach of dogs and puppies.
Another aspect of your cocker spaniel’s house training could involve using a doggy door. Encourage your cocker spaniel to use the doggy door when you go outside for the bathroom, and they will learn to use it themselves eventually.
5. React Quickly if Your Dog Tries To Eliminate Indoors
Cocker spaniels love pleasing their owners, but they can quickly become fearful and scared of them if they are yelled at too often. It’s not a good idea to punish your dog if they mess indoors as they may negatively associate using the bathroom with doing something wrong.
Make a loud noise and interrupt them if you see them in the process of making a mess. Then, quickly take them outside so that they can continue using the toilet there. The best option is to ignore what has happened and clean up the mess.
Continue with the house training and keep on encouraging them to eliminate outside.
6. Offer Positive Rewards
Rewarding your cocker spaniel after going to the toilet outside encourages them to continue this behavior.
At the very least, you should give your dog lots of praise after using the bathroom outdoors, and you may want to keep a small dog treat or toy in your pocket as well. Just make sure that your dog can’t smell this while going to the bathroom, as it can distract them.
Key Takeaways
House training your cocker spaniel can easily be achieved within a week.
Firstly, you need to choose the best spot for your dog to use the toilet outside. After this, try not to leave them alone and take them out for the bathroom regularly. React quickly if your dog is in the process of making a mess inside, and give them positive encouragement after using the toilet outside.
Signal training teaches your dog to let you know when they need the bathroom, and you could also consider a doggy door.
And as always, Live, Love, Laugh, and Scratch our bellies often!
Love you guys,
JTB
P.S. If you’re new to this world, you may want to check out my Ultimate Guide for First Time Dog Parents. It’s a great reference to get you started on this journey.
This article has been reviewed by our Editorial Board and has been approved for publication in accordance with our Editorial Policies.
