| Proper Puppy Socializationby Jason Givens
 Jason Givens
First off, there are several concepts one must understand when training a young spaniel (these methods are designed to bring the best out in a spaniel, but may also be employed with other breeds. Generally, the more hard-headed a dog, the less chance these things will work). The first idea to work toward is getting your dog to learn how to learn. This is where the saying “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks” comes from. If a young dog learns how to do things for you, it will be much more likely to want to do more things for you as it grows up. If that same dog is locked in a kennel until hunting season, it will not learn anything and will be difficult to train. The second idea is this: Dogs want to do things that are fun for them. Therefore, get them to believe that doing what you want them to do will be fun for them. This sounds like a simple thing, but much of today’s current dog training practices are completely opposite of this. For many trainers, dogs are taught to avoid doing the wrong thing. This is very popular with the current Electric Collar systems on the market today.
 Michelle showing 9 month old Landis that it isn't all bad to come back when called to get a hot dog slice. Photo by: Author
Next, have a friend or even a stranger call him. Let that person give pup a treat and praise him. Give some treats to kids as most kids love feeding dogs. Spaniels should like everybody. If you want a guard dog then get a different breed. We have now told the pup that strangers are good people, too, so he doesn’t have to be afraid of them.
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