Free Cocker Spaniel puppies

Some dog training methods are based on what makes the OWNER feel good, rather than what on actually makes sense to the dog. For example, "positive-only" dog training is a big fad right now. Now, treats can be great motivators for training American Cocker Spaniels, but if your dog will only obey for a treat, then HE is in charge of his obedience, not you. [read more]

"Respect Training" is the dog training method I use and recommend for training American Cocker Spaniels. I often get phone calls from distressed owners who are having trouble with their dog. Let's listen in on a phone conversation between myself and a typical dog owner (we'll call her Kathy Armstrong). Kathy: "Michele, my dog Jake is being difficult. I can't make him do anything. He only listens to me when he's in the mood." Me: "I see. Would you say Jake is behaving rudely?" Kathy (surprised): "What do you mean? How can a dog be rude?" [read more]

My method of training American Cocker Spaniels includes teaching specific words in specific ways so that your dog not only learns the words but also develops the respectful attitude that makes him happy to obey you. Teach your dog words and he will understand what you say. Teach those words in the right ways and he will actually DO what you say. [read more]

One of the most common questions dog owners ask me is: "How can I stop my dog from (doing some specific behavior problem)?" They're hoping I'll tell them where to find a secret button on the back of their dog's head that will trigger a MISBEHAVIOR-OFF switch. :-) Alas, my answer is almost always the same, no matter what the misbehavior is. Here it is (free of charge!). [read more]

Just got a new puppy? American Cocker Spaniel puppy training starts the moment you bring your puppy home. If you use the wrong teaching method, your puppy will begin making decisions about how he wants YOU to fit into his life, and that's a recipe for conflict and behavior problems. Whatever he does, you must react properly or he will learn the wrong things. Here's my recommended schedule (what to teach, when to teach it) for training your American Cocker Spaniel puppy. [read more]

There are two keys to housebreaking. Just two, but you have to get them both right. And I mean 100% right, not 50% right. Otherwise you're going to end up with a dog who is 50% potty trained, and who wants that? So here they are – your two keys to housebreaking. [read more]

Socializing means training your American Cocker Spaniel to get along politely with strangers and other animals. [read more]