\u2018\u2019How to train a Sprocker puppy\u2019\u2019 is probably a question that\u2019s been running through your mind ever since you got one. We\u2019re glad you\u2019ve ended up here. Sprocker puppy training is something you\u2019ll definitely want to sink your teeth into – they are busy intelligent dogs with a keen sense of adventure and also a little bit mad – not for the faint of heart!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A cracking mix of the English Springer Spaniel and the Working Cocker Spaniel, the breed was developed for a working home, which means they are very far from being couch potatoes. But give them a job, and they will still love a snuggle on the sofa, don\u2019t worry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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If you\u2019re looking for extra helping hands to get on track in your puppy training journey, look no further than the Zigzag puppy training app<\/a>. We tailor your Sprocker puppy\u2019s training program according to their breed-specific needs and their age. We also have a team of brilliant expert puppy coaches, all qualified and experienced dog trainers and behaviorists, available for when you need on Whatsapp, email or via a phone call. <\/p>\n\n\n\n You can and should start training your Sprocker puppy as soon as you bring them home. They\u2019ll need some time to settle in, but their brains are like sponges ready to soak up every little thing. They\u2019ll be watching, and waiting for you to show them the ropes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Sprocker puppy training will be much like training a lot of other Gundog or Spaniel-type breeds. It\u2019s not an infinite list of equipment but if you want to be prepared, try and get these before you bring your Sprocker puppy home. <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n A collar<\/strong><\/a> – By law in the UK, your Sprokcer puppy should wear a collar and ID tags. <\/p>\n\n\n\n A harness<\/strong><\/a> – A harness can really help you manage things if you have an over-exuberant and bouncy Sprocker puppy. It\u2019s also much kinder on their neck – no one wants to be strangled around.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A 2m training leash<\/strong><\/a> – This will help you walk your puppy comfortably. They\u2019ll be able to stay close to you, and have enough room to do their favorite thing: sniff! This length of lead is also useful for attaching to a chair leg or under your foot when you\u2019re teaching them to settle<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Food and water bowls<\/strong><\/a> – Fresh water should always be available for your Sprocker puppy. They love water too, so you might indeed find them trying to have a swim in it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A treat pouch<\/strong><\/a> – This will come in handy as you\u2019re working your way through Sprocker puppy training. Treats will close to literally become a part of you, so you\u2019ll want a treat pouch to avoid having sticky hands and sticky pockets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A piece of <\/strong>non-slip vet bed<\/strong><\/a>, or a <\/strong>travel mat<\/strong><\/a> <\/strong>– You\u2019ll use it when teaching your Sprocker to settle. Especially when you start going out to the bar, a piece of vet bed will become quite useful – don’t want them to sneak up on other people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Kongs<\/strong><\/a> and other puzzle toys<\/strong> – Anything that keeps your Sporcker entertained and stretching their brain is a winner. It also means they\u2019re less likely to chew on things they shouldn’t.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Two identical toys<\/strong><\/a> – Identical toys will come in handy for retrieve work and for when teaching them how to swap. Sprockers have large mouths, so find something suitable that they\u2019ll find easy to hold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tasty treats<\/strong><\/a> – Their usual kibble will work just fine, but you\u2019ll also want to use some tastier treats like bits of sausage or peanut butter to pay for a job well done.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n A <\/strong>crate<\/strong><\/a> and <\/strong>playpen<\/strong><\/a> – When training your Sprocker, it can be hard to get them to switch off and have downtime. A crate or playpen can really help get them into a structured naptime.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A <\/strong>soft grooming brush<\/strong><\/a> – To your luck, Sprockers don\u2019t need a huge amount of grooming, but a soft grooming brush will help keep them looking dashing and clean. Having a grooming routine will also help strengthen your bond as most love being touched.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A squeaky ball on a rope<\/strong><\/a> – You\u2019ve probably seen the Sprocker and Cocker Spaniels used by Border Force or the police. What do they always have as a reward for them? Yep, a tennis ball. They\u2019re obsessed. Try having the ball on a rope to make it easier to get back – otherwise, you\u2019ll be chasing them non-stop around the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sprockers are working dogs through and through. They have a heavy-set physique but remain fast and nimble: full of beans and mischief. They aren\u2019t quite the designer dog that you think of when you cross two breeds, like the Maltipoos or Cockapoos. They\u2019re quite an old cross, designed by working gamekeepers who needed a robust dog to work on estates with them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Well, all of this it\u2019s worth mentioning because it will give you a better idea of what your puppy needs and is naturally inclined towards. Sprockers are the kind of breed who need stimulation, a good routine and boundaries; or else they\u2019ll go off on their own to find some trouble. <\/p>\n\n\n\n They\u2019re highly distracted by things in the outside world, like birds. There\u2019s a good reason for this – it\u2019s literally bred into them. Back in the day, flushing and picking up birds is what they were literally bred to do and therefore often all they\u2019re concerned with, so don\u2019t be surprised if they get hyper-focused by the fluttering sound of pigeons when you\u2019re training outside. <\/p>\n\n\n\n We\u2019ve designed this guide specifically for training your Sprocker puppy. We\u2019ll cover most of the basic manners exercises you\u2019ll need for a life-long friendship. For a more in depth training program download a free trial of the Zigzag puppy training app<\/a> to get your full journey started. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Here\u2019s what you\u2019ll be learning about in this guide for how to train a Sprocker puppy:<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2026but what exactly is Push, Drop, and Stick?<\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s pretty straight forward. Push, Drop, Stick is a method of gradually increasing the difficulty of a behavior. If exercises are always kept too easy, your puppy will get frequently rewarded for doing the same thing, and will get bored or stuck at that level of difficulty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If the lessons are too difficult, they will most likely give up and not be motivated to get the exercise right anymore since the rewards will be less frequent. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Now, Sprockers are clever dogs and will definitely need to be challenged in their training so Push, Drop, Stick will be something you\u2019ll often use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n By maintaining enough momentum, ‘Push Drop Stick’ can help prevent both scenarios: It will keep your puppy engaged and prevent them from quitting, but not so much that they aren’t thinking about how to get rewarded by trying harder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ok, so how does Push, Drop, Stick work? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n By repeating an exercise 5 times, we are going to keep track of how many of them your Sprocker puppy gets right. Based on how well they do, you\u2019re going to choose whether to do which of the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n If they get 4 or 5 reps right, \u201cPush\u2019\u2019 by moving to the next difficulty level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If they get 3 or 2 reps correctly, \u2018\u2019Stick\u2019\u2019 to the level they\u2019re currently at to reinforce their skills. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If they get 1 or none reps right, better to \u2018\u2019Drop\u2019\u2019 and go back to the previous difficulty level. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Get it? The ‘Push Drop Stick’ will let you track where we are in order to further improve and build stronger behaviors. Onward and upwards!<\/p>\n\n\n\n What do you mean by difficulty?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The ‘Three D’s’ of Duration, Distraction, and Distance are all related to difficulty. These criteria include how long your puppy can do the behavior for, how distracting the environment is, and how far away they can perform that certain behavior to us.<\/p>\n\n<\/div><\/details><\/div>\n\n\n In the first week, take time to know your Sprocker puppy\u2019s quirks as well as practice some socialization exercises, training and husbandry tasks. <\/p>\n\n\n\nPrerequisites for training my Sprocker puppy<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
What age can I start to train my Sprocker puppy?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
What do I need to train my Sprocker puppy?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Good to know about training Sprocker puppies<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
What are Sprockers bred for?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
What does this have to do with how I train my Sprocker?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Overview of the training program and topics we\u2019ll cover<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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How we build this program:\u00a0Push Drop Stick<\/strong><\/span><\/summary>
The Push Drop Stick trick is a useful resource for you to use with your Sprocker puppy. It will help you decide whether your puppy is ready to continue in their training or whether they need additional practice runs.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Week 1 \u2013 Training your Sprocker puppy<\/h2>\n\n\n\n