1:1 Spaniel
Training
I’m here to help you bring out the best in your Spaniel, whether they’re a Sprocker, Springer, or a Working Cocker, and no matter what challenges you’re facing. But let’s be honest - Spaniels aren’t always easy! They’re incredibly smart, but that also means they need training that works for them. Endless walks to try and wear them out just won’t cut it.
Including breed-specific training and gundog-style activities in your pet Spaniel’s daily routine is key to preventing the many issues that often arise when these intelligent, energetic little dogs don’t get the mental and physical stimulation they need.
If your dream is for walks where your Spaniel doesn’t pull on the lead, and, when off lead they can run free but still come back when called and keep close by when needed, then give me a call! Together we’ll work towards your goal of fun walks with a lot less chaos.
A good relationship with your spaniel creates a special bond like no other 🥰
The #1 Spaniel misconception
Spaniels need excessive exercise…
…when they actually need mental stimulation.
‘How do I tire out my Spaniel??’ - is a question you might be asking yourself…
Many owners believe all that Spaniels require are long hours of physical exercise to be happy and healthy…
In reality, they thrive on mental challenges and activities that engage their minds, such as scent work, gundog activities and training games.
Excessive physical exercise will simply create an ‘athlete’, and you will have a super-fit pooch that will NEVER tire!
Insufficient mental stimulation can also lead to behavioural issues in Spaniels.
Other problems my spaniel-owning customers come to me with that you might relate to…
👉 inability to settle, resource guarding, recall problems, and pulling on the lead 👈
Common Spaniel issues
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If your Spaniel is always go-go-go, they may need actually teaching to settle and REST! It’s truly a skill that requires mastering and can and does actually need to be taught!
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A lot of people think Spaniels need hours and hours of walks to stay happy, but that’s untrue. What they really need is something to keep their brains busy.
Spaniels were bred to work and, without being given a ‘job’ to do, they go self-employed which can manifest as chasing wildlife, resource guarding, stealing household items (socks, the remote control!)!
Scent work, fun training games, gundog games, and dogsports like mantrailing do wonders for keeping them stimulated, satisfied, and therefore far less likely to cause mischief out on walks and at home.
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Gundog breeds such as Spaniels have been bred for generations to pick up items and hold/carry them in their mouths. Unfortunately, they weren’t bred to let those things go!
This is where resource guarding can occur if Spaniels aren’t taught a good leave and drop cue, or are challenged by their humans for things they have picked up.
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Recall issues are very common in Spaniels, due to their strong prey drive and busy nature. Once they catch a scent or spot something interesting, they’re off! Getting them to come back, especially when the world is full of distractions, can be tricky without the right training.
The correct training works WITH a Spaniel’s prey drive not against it, allowing them to use their natural instincts but with YOU as their main focus not the surrounding wildlife!
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Oh how these little lovelies HATE to be tied down to walking on a lead! They are bred to be off in the undergrowth not stuck next to their human pounding pavements.
So, the key is to make lead walking fun and reinforcing and not a battle of who can pull the hardest!
And it absolutely can be done, with patience and consistency, and no need for any aversive techniques or equipment.
Before we started working with Pippa, life with our Spaniel, Bertie, had become pretty stressful, especially when it came to walks.
He’s always been a friendly, high-energy dog, but once he hit his teenage phase, it was like he completely forgot all his training. We couldn’t trust him off-lead anymore. His recall was unreliable, and if he caught a scent, he’d disappear. That, combined with a few run-ins with other dogs, really knocked my confidence.
We’re big walkers and love exploring, but with Bertie pulling at the end of a flexi-lead, every walk became a battle. It wasn’t fair on him, and we knew we couldn’t carry on the way we had been.
I searched for Pippa online after seeing her van around Harrogate, and after just one phone call, I felt reassured. She really took the time to understand what we were struggling with. Her approach was simple, kind, and incredibly effective: fewer commands, high-value treats (our fridge is now always stocked with grated cheese and sausages!) and loads of positive reinforcement.
Bertie’s transformation has been amazing. He checks in constantly, runs ahead, but always turns around. Walks have become fun again. A big breakthrough moment was during one of our sessions with Pippa when we took him off his long line for the first time, he stayed close, kept checking in, and we haven’t needed the long line since!
What I love most about Pippa’s approach is how simple and positive it is. She understands Spaniels, as she’s got one herself, and helped us work with Bertie’s natural instincts, not against them. Her energy is just brilliant. Even when we spot her van at a local walk, Bertie gets excited!
If anyone is struggling with a Spaniel like we were, I can’t recommend Pippa highly enough. Her positivity, clarity, and understanding of the breed is second to none. Yes, training takes consistency, but it’s so worth it. The difference in Bertie (and in us!) is huge.
Meryl and Bertie: How we got our recall back
How I can help
I provide 1:1 training sessions that are completely individual to you and your Spaniel’s requirements. My approach to training is all about looking at the whole dog, not just the behaviour you want to change.
That means thinking about things like what they’re eating, how much sleep they’re getting, how they’re exercising and whether their brain is getting a proper workout too.
Just like us, dogs feel and behave better when all their needs are being met. A balanced diet, plenty of rest, and a good mix of physical and mental activity can make a huge difference, and often it’s the key to solving those tricky behaviour problems.
I also take into consideration you as a person and how you learn best as, after all, I’m training you not your Spaniel! I adapt all the techniques to fit your lifestyle and personality, but you will need to meet me halfway to get the best from your training and behaviour programme 😊
Spaniel-specific training
The training and behaviour techniques I give you will be Spaniel-specific, bringing in factors that will work with their requirements such as prey drive and desire to search and retrieve. Trying to quash a Spaniel’s natural instinct to hunt and chase not only doesn’t work but is also likely to backfire in the future!
Every dog (and owner!) is different, so I make sure each session is tailored to you. Whether we’re working on recall, lead walking, or just helping your dog feel calmer at home, I’ll adjust the plan as we go, based on your dog’s progress, so you always get support that fits where you're at, not where a generic program says you should be. The sessions are designed to be fun for you AND your Spaniel, and will be individual to your needs.
No one-size-fits-all training plans here!
My commitment…and yours 💪
Because I’m committed to giving every dog and their owner the individual attention and tailored training they deserve, I intentionally work with a limited number of clients at a time. I only take on new clients when I’m confident I can fully support them - and when I know they’re equally committed to putting in the time and effort needed to get the best results for their dog.
There are NO guarantees with dog training and/or behaviour work, the success and effect of the techniques and tools I give you will absolutely depend on the time and effort put in on your part 😉
This partnership approach helps ensure lasting success for you and your dog.
For any behavioural issues that you and your dog are trying to work through, I will ask you to take them for a thorough vet check prior to our first session, as medical issues need to be ruled out initially.
So, how do we work together? 🤔
We will start with a chat on the phone about you and your dog and what you would like to achieve from the sessions (free of charge and no time limit!), then we can book dates in the diary for future sessions that work around you and your busy lifestyle and commitments. These start with the first 1:1 in your home, followed by training sessions in the local area as required.
Sessions can be booked on a pay-as-you-go basis, however, a minimum booking of 4 sessions is required initially, regardless of training or behaviour requirement, this is to ensure continuity of training progress. After your sessions, you will receive written training updates, as well as training videos. I know that not everyone absorbs information in the same way, so having it in a couple of formats usually covers all bases! You will also have my support via WhatsApp for as long as you need it during and after your sessions with no time limit.
Following the completion of the first 4, you can book rolling continuation sessions as required.
IT’S IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER THAT NOTHING WILL BE A ‘QUICK FIX’ IF TRAINING IS CARRIED OUT CORRECTLY, BUT THE JOURNEY WILL ABSOLUTELY BE WORTHWHILE!
There are no fancy, complicated package prices…
Your initial consultation and training session will be £100, lasting approximately 1.5 hours, subsequent sessions will be £70, and these are usually approximately an hour.
That’s it, simple!
PLEASE NOTE I’M USUALLY BOOKING 8 WEEKS IN ADVANCE, SO IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BOOK IN DON’T HANG ABOUT!