Training my 5 month old Cocker Spaniel

Question
QUESTION: My cocker spaniel is 5 months old and pulls very very hard on his leash when we walk him.  He is extremely strong for such a small dog.  There are no obediance classes here where we live since it is a small city and the closest big city is 4 hours away.  How or what resources can I use to train my dog how to lead on a lease and other obediance issues?  Thank you.

ANSWER: Before I offer any suggestions I'd like to know the extent of his training in general.  What commands does he know?  How often and for how long do you walk him daily?  How is his behavior other than this?
Delores

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: He really hasn't had any training.  The only command he knows is down or sit.  We have a large back yard we allow him to play in and we play fetch with him but to this point have not taken him for walks because the weather has been extremely cold here and icy.

He is very sweet and good tempered and good around our children except for wanting to jump all over them which the children do not like because they are small.

He can't be off his leash int he house because he will just barrel around the house wildly....and when he is on the leash he practically rips my hand off...and I keep it short enough when Im walking to keep him at my side but he still pulls.  Also...we have a Chihuahua which is great and well mannered...and I don't know if he will ever be able to be around her because he is so high strung and just wants to jump all over her and play.  We are very frustrated.

ANSWER: Well..a great part of this problem is his lack of exercise.  At this age he's a bundle of pent up energy and he's not getting any way to get that out.

Keeping him on leash in the house is a really bad idea.  I suggest you confine the little dog and let him rip around for an hour.

He needs exercise and training NOW!  This sounds like a good dog with a good temperment whose doggie "needs" are definitely not being fulfilled.

Before I get into any lengthy advice - I'd really have to ask if you're willing to put in the time & energy to train him properly and give him the exercise and stimulation he needs?

He's not "high strung" - he's an energetic puppy and very different from your Chihuahua.
Delores

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you very much for your response.  I was starting to think that exercise was part of his problem with all the reading on the internet I have been doing.  We definately want to keep him and have him be a loving addition to our family.  I am a stay at home mom and my kids are in school during the day so I definately have time to work with him.  Last night we went to hasting and bought some books I hoped could help me with him:

-The Everything Dog Training and Tricks Book by Gerilyn Bielakiewicz

-Cesar's Way: The Natural, Everyday Guide to Understanding & Correcting Common Dog Problems by Cesar Millan

-For the Love of the Dog by Patricia B. McConnell

I would appreciate any advice you have because it may take me a while to get through these books.  I will definately start giving him time to rip around and I will play fetch with him to wear him out and then try taking him for a walk for now :)

Thanks,

Summer

Answer
Well, I can tell you right now what you're going to read in Cesar's book - exercise, excercise, then more exercise :)  When he's gotten rid of some of that puppy energy that's when you give a lesson.

Even in the house you can put him on his leash and walk him through a lesson of sit - stay - down.  Always praise and reward.

When you feed him - make him sit.
Never let him walk out a door in front of you.  Teach him to sit and wait 'till you say "okay, let's go".

To begin correcting the pulling - give a NO (calmly-never yell) and a short, firm "tug" on his leash.  Make him sit then "okay, let's go".

The lesson is:  When you pull, we stop, I correct, you sit and wait.
Do this one hundred times :) (Just kidding - 90 times will do it)

But basically you have a high energy puppy right now so always tire him out before teaching.  A tired dog is a good dog.  He needs a "minimum" of two half hour exercise sessions a day.

Best would be to take him to a fenced in dog park and let him run himself ragged.  Get a friend to bring their pup over and let them play hard in your backyard.  A cocker is not a chihauhua who can tire itself out just running around the house.

I'd go for the Cesar Milan book first.  This man is amazing and I've watched him pull a snarling Rottweiler into line without even raising his voice.  But his credo is 1.  Exercise - 2. Discipline - 3.
Affection.

If you get the National Geographic Channel you can watch his show.
It's just fascinating..and fun.  You can also buy/rent tapes.

Be firm - be patient - lots of praise - and never, ever give a command without seeing it through.  You have a good dog with a nice temperment so if he's not being "successful" it's your fault.
Any good dog trainer will tell you they don't train dogs - they train owners.

Also remember he's a baby - this high energy will subside but their mental & physical health demands exercise.

Best of luck and write anytime for encouragement or tips.
Delores