Activities For American Cocker Spaniels

The American Cocker Spaniel was bred to hunt down and flush out their prey. A game such as Hide and Seek involving tennis balls is a great game that focuses on the hunting instinct of the Cocker Spaniel. First, you will need to train your pup as to how to play the game. This author recommends using a hot dog (which you will have cut in half) to scent the balls. Simply rub the inside of the sliced hot dog over the balls prior to training. This will help the Cocker Spaniel to find the balls during the game. It may be a good idea, once you have scented and hidden the balls, to walk your dog through the places where you've hidden the balls. Speak the commands as you take the pup to the balls. When they find the balls, be sure to reward them! For the first few tries, a treat might be a great reward. You can also heap lots of praise on the pup as they find the balls. In time, the Cocker Spaniel will understand what you expect of them, and they will find the balls without benefit of scent.

Sniff it Out is very much like Hide and Seek. However, instead of using scented balls, this form of treasure hunting involves finding treats hidden in unlikely areas. This activity is meant to hone the Cocker Spaniel's scenting skills, and allowing them to engage in activities that mimic a hunt will actually contribute to good behavior in your pup. 

Sniff it Out is best played indoors. It is a good rainy day activity, or an activity that you can perform on a hot and humid day when pups should be inside an air-controlled environment. You can begin this treasure hunt with two or three treats, and work up to more as your dog becomes accustomed to the game. 

Frisbee is a fun activity that you can share with your dog. In fact, playing Frisbee with your dog will provide both of you with ample bonding time as well as physical activity! Frisbee is best enjoyed outdoors during a sunny day (caution: depending where you live, you may want to restrict play time to early morning or late evening hours; remember that the Cocker Spaniel has a lot of fur and they can become overheated easily in very hot and humid weather). However, you can bring the dog Frisbee disc indoors - provided you have the room - and allow them to play in the hallway or perhaps on a covered porch area (where you are less likely to have lots of furniture). The author recommends purchasing a dog Frisbee. This will be a little easier on your pup's mouth than a "human" Frisbee.