Why Do I Hate Spaniels? #spaniel #cockerspaniel #springerspaniel

Here on Will Atherton Canine Training we make videos about man’s best friend so if this is your first time here don’t forget to subscribe! These videos are made and aimed at adults in a stage of their life to purchase or adopt a dog, we want to help them choose the right breed and become excellent canine leaders to help end the number of dogs that end up in shelters.

#dog #dogtraining #heelwalking

[brooksgieseking]

As someone who’s had 4 spaniels in his life. They are absolutely phenomenal family dogs but are incredibly energetic and prey driven.

[Anonymouseys]

There are no bad dogs but you are 100% right. People need to consider the attributes of a dog, not just it's appearance. This is what leads to problems with undesirable behaviour.

[manchannel]

He's right.
I had a spaniel for 15 years and she only slowed down when she eventually went blind but she still had the same energy right up until the day she died.
You don't walk a spaniel.
You go for a walk and the spaniel occasionally checks where you are be before disappearing back into the undergrowth.
They're not a dog for the lazy.
If you aren't prepared to walk five miles twice a day in all weathers, you aren't prepared for a spaniel.

[ladeanbartlett]

I’ve had 3 working line springers. Lots of energy, but so much joy & love. They got out plenty and just cuddled and slept when home.

[johnmurray]

I’ve had ESS show/bench my whole life…much calmer than the field

[davidmorgan]

We have four spaniels and you are absolutely right. I'm sometimes jealoys of other owners walking their dogs off lead in the fields. Other dogs walk to heel - mine race around and explore; occasionally they get lost.

But they are so affectionate and so beautiful. We've asked ourselves about other breeds, but we love spaniels.

[Cooper]

I’ve had a working line cocker for 12 years now. And I always say the same 2 things: 1. He is the perfect dog 2. That’s because of HIM not his breed. He trained beautifully, took him to puppy training classes and they told us to stop paying to come after 2, because he didn’t need it, he WANTED to learn and always has since. He walks beautifully on a short leash. We found as long as he got plenty of time outside, playing a lot of fetch, his energy levels were good and through his life he’s been nothing but the most loving and loyal dog you could ask for. That said, other people who’ve owned cockers, always loyal but always very energetic. Still. Henry is perfect and was a great dog as a kid. I think he learned pretty quick that he could roughhouse with me a lot more so always used to bring his toys to me for tugs of war. But always stopped on a dime if commanded

[ccrowbeak]

This is so true, i grew up with a brittany spaniel and he was literally buzzing with energy and i remember my parents having a lot of trouble with him. Looking back, i feel a little sad that we weren't able to meet his needs as much as we should've. Beautiful dogs, very loving but with a tendency to run away to the fields every chance they get lmao

[darthpanda]

Dunno, my house is pure chaos. I can rely on the 1 year old spaniel to be calmer than the people. Only time he's ever wandered farther than 15 metres from me is when he's sent after something/someone, oh and when he decided he wanted that lab that was in season being walked off lead at peak times in a dog walking hot spot. The local rabbits mock him because he just sits and looks at me rather than chasing them like the other dogs do. A spaniel in the right hands, with the right training, can adapt to anything. Mine has appointed himself as my son's seizure alert dog, which is bloody handy as my son is nonverbal, and I wish I'd got a spanner as my first one that I'd be 100% responsible for training sooner

[FlyingAnt]

I am trying to work up to getting a dog and you have been so helpful thanks

[timothycoleman]

I think having a spaniel as a second dog makes a big difference. I have a Whippet cross ( the first dog we got) and a springer as a second dog. My Springer leaned the sight hound off switch as a pup, and now he makes an excellent hunting and house dog.

[sarries]

Admittedly every dog is different, however I actually rate cockers (even working ones) for busy families.That said a specific type of family who like to be outdoors, in the garden etc .We enjoy walks, taking our boy out for at least 3 good walks a day and ensuring he has stimulus.He is very stick or ball orientated which can be a pain though. Our last show cocker was very easy going, and as long as he had walks he would happily chill in the house, or preferably for him, beg for food.Watch out for too many treats as they are prone to issues linked to fat in their diet ( especially show type). Admittedly a Labrador would be an easier family dog, however I find them a little less characterful, although we do have a black lab as well.

[tompatchak]

Hate is such a strong word.
I hate liver and onions.
This dude doesn’t hate any dogs

[FPLCJ]

This is 100% true. Too many people dont research the stimulation & exercise needs of their dog which ultimately ends up leading to behaviour problems that could've been avoided if they picked a dog that suited their lifestyle better

[NaileaGuerrero]

I had a cocker spaniel from puppy, until old age of 16. He was a wonderful family dog except for when he was a puppy. That’s when he was competitive with my baby sister and had endless energy. He got used to the family though and lived a happy life. He was friendly to all dogs & people. Very easy dog. Only challenging as a puppy.

[lynntaylor]

I have had 4 springers over my life…starting when I was a child. I have also had mastiffs, which I love..but choosing between both I would rather have my springer around my kids and grandkids. The springer we have now came from Springville Springers in Ontario and we’re bred for scent hounds for Tampa Bay and Toronto police. They are also breed for house pets. YES they are energetic and keep you moving…I am 71 so that is a good thing. Our 10 year old springer Roxy LOVES kids. It is a sight to behold how she is so gentle and mindful of them. People love how she is with children and I am often told this. YES they need training..sit…stay..leave it. They are intelligent and so eager to please it isn’t hard to train once you get them to focus. They NEED space to run and a back yard with ball tossing and tug of war is a must. I love all dogs and have been lucky to experience many over my life. We lived on an island on 12 acres with Clyde, a springer we got at Ducks unlimited and he was raised with a mastiff. Clyde had a hunting streak in him and he tracked everything, swam after ducks, kept our chicken coop….yes, chickens….free from raccoons. They need training but they would do anything for their chosen person. We also adopted an almost blind older spring and had Gunner for 6 wonderful years until she passed 2 years ago. She was the most laid back springer we had and would follow me around and lay at my feet while I painted for hours. Roxy and Gunner had a dog door to a large back yard, 3 walks a day and grandkids to love. Please don’t be so hard on springers. They would fit in to the right family. I suggest you get one, even foster one for 6 months. It might change your mind.

[dreamgaits]

Yes, every dog has it's use and its talents. Not all make good pets for certain situations.

[christopheryale]

I have a Cavalier and a UK field ECS. The spectrum there is vast. So, it does depend on the lines. In the US they’ve breed out most of the hunting instincts out of most cocker lines. The American cocker or even the average US breed ECS aren’t that high energy. For sure they are less than a field breed retriever.

[leeraewi]

I grew up with a working line springer and parents who knew nothing about dog training, as they had just grown up with farm guard dogs that slept in the barn and at scraps from the table and weren't part of the family (rural Canada, 1950s/60s. She was from a champion family, so had crazy instincts. We lived on a farm and let her run pretty freely, and she would run around for hours and hours each day. Her favourite was chasing coyotes into the woods. They would lure her in as prey but she was never caught up or injured (thank goodness). She also used to hunt gophers in the yard, once she caught her first and learned to snap their necks immediately to that they couldn't bite her face, such were her very unencouraged instincts. One day, within 30 minutes, she had 9 of them lined up outside the door, which was particularly memorable as we were trying to gather her up to take her to the pet sitter before catching a flight and she was on a rampage. They are wonderful dogs but I would never own one while living in the city unless I could dedicate several hours to their exercise and training everyday, which just isn't realistic for most people. A show springer might be a different consideration. We had family friends with a very docile one. I'm now a whippet owner. They are very energetic in spurts but really easy dogs to live with and so also quite trainable, wonderful city dogs. Squirrels will always be a foil, but otherwise they are perfect dogs for hiking off leash, with exceptionally good recall; I just have to be careful about where off leash exercise takes place because of the squirrel risk.

[fontana]

We’ve got a spaniel it’s brilliant and an utter nightmare at the same time !! I wouldn’t change her for the world though.