The ideal time to begin leash training your Cocker Spaniel is when he or she is a puppy. If, however, you happen to inherit or adopt an adult Cocker, you have no need to fear. In general, Cocker Spaniels adore their masters, and genuinely want to please you. In fact, some Cockers may at times be a bit too submissive.

Cocker Spaniels are usually perfectly happy to walk on a leash, and teaching one to do so should be a breeze. Still, there are a few tips and guidelines that may help for your pups leash training.

The first thing you want to do is furnish your puppy or dog with a sturdy, but lightweight collar that fits him/or her properly. Cutesy little decorative collars are attractive and fun for you, but the most important thing is your cocker spaniel's comfort and safety.

The collar should be tight enough that your dog or puppy cannot pull his or her head out through it when attached to the leash or push it over his her head-and off-by using his or her paws. You do not want it to be uncomfortably or dangerously tight either. You should easily be able to fit a couple of fingers between the collar and your Cocker Spaniel's neck.

It is a good idea to introduce and allow your Cocker Spaniel to become familiar with and comfortable with the leash before attempting to go for walks.

Above all, never use the leash to punish or scare your dog by whipping, or acting as though you may whip him or her with it. For one thing, it is just cruel and wrong. For another, it will not improve your pet's behavior and will probably have a negative effect on your cocker's temperament. Finally, it will cause your Cocker Spaniel to form a negative association about the leash and cause fear.

One way to help your dog become comfortable with the leash is to attach it to the pups collar and allow the dog to roam freely throughout the home. It is extremely important to keep a close eye on your Cocker Spaniel during this period of leash training time, so that you can ensure that the pup does not become tangled around any objects.

Once they begin to actually walk their dogs on a leash, there are two mistakes that people commonly make.

1) The first is to continue walking (or even run) when your dog pulls on the leash. I guess it can be difficult not to do this, if you happen to be walking a Great Dane or a mastiff. Unless you are under five years of age or weigh less than fifty lbs., handling a Cocker Spaniel shouldn't be too difficult!

The important thing to remember here is, when your dog pulls, you stop and remain stationary until he/she stops pulling. This will help him/her to learn that pulling, literally, gets him/her nowhere.

2) The second mistake is to forcefully yank the dog closer to you with the leash. This can scare your cocker and cause him/her to dislike walking on a leash, and it could even injure your dog if excessive force is used or it is done often. When your Cocker Spaniel pulls, just stop, call pup back to you, then proceed to tell him what a fine, good doggie he is for obeying. Then try again. If you are consistent (and it can take patience), eventually he/she will figure it out.

Although not absolutely necessary, dog treats can sometimes accelerate the learning process, and this method is highly recommended by dogs everywhere!