When training always remember that Cavalier King Charles Spaniels (puppies/dogs) respond best to positive reinforcement. Do not yell at your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (puppy/dog) and if you feel frustrated call it a day by ending on something simple and positive and then try again tomorrow. Cavalier King Charles Spaniels (puppies/dogs) can feel your tension so do not even try to pretend with them. Always use positive reinforcement like treats, verbal comments like "good boy/girl", and I like to use the under the chin quick pet at times as well.

There is a process to training. The key is to get your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (puppy/dog) to perform the action and at that exact moment you give the command for the action, then praise your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (puppy/dog) and reward with a treat. After a while, your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (puppy/dog) will associate the action with the command.

Train Your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (Puppy/Dog) to Come

"Come" means to come immediately and sit right in front of you. ("Come here" in a loving, questioning voice means that he is allowed to come to get a hug in a minute or so - at his own pace - when he wants to. For this kind, you can even start down on your knees.) Before he is trained, you may find he is running all over the yard before he comes to you. Never scold him when he DOES come to you or he will think that is what he did wrong!

Start with your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (puppy/dog) sitting next to your left heel. Say "stay" while pushing your hand in front of his face, and go stand in front of him. Push your hand in front of his face again and say "stay" again. Now back up a few feet. Say "come" as you give a little tug on his leash. If he is coming slowly, repeat come over and over excitedly. As soon as he gets an inch or so from you, loudly say "sit". Technically, he has not come until he is right in front of you and sits, so don't say "good boy" (click) until he sits. Practice this way for a week. If the sessions are going well, you can back up more and more each day until you are at the end of the leash.

If he is not coming quickly enough or is not coming without extra pulls on the lead, change the pace with this next one.

Start with him sitting next to your left heel. Say "stay" while pushing your hand in front of his face, and go stand in front of him. Push your hand in front of his face again and say "stay" again. Now back up to the end of the leash. Say "come" as you give a little tug on his leash. When he gets up and starts toward you, run backward as you excitedly repeat "come". As soon as he gets an inch or so from you, loudly say "sit". "Good boy" (click) when he sits. Practice this way for a week.