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Positive training · From eight weeks

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Puppy Training Manual

From 8 Weeks

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel: reward calm settling and grow independence in small, kind steps.

29 chapters · English / 中文

Watercolour illustration of a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppy sitting calmly on a floor cushion beside a window
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel: reward calm settling and grow independence in small, kind steps.

Breed profile

Training group
Toy and companion dogs
Origin
Originated in England as a companion dog.
Shoulder height
30–33 cm
Weight
5–8 kg
Coat
Long, silky coat with long ears
Coat care
Build early, cooperative acceptance of routine coat and ear checks, brushing, gentle ear lifting, paw handling and standing on a stable non-slip surface.
Drive keywords
Living closely with people · Gentle social contact · Human attention
Handling practice
Condition routine long-ear checks as voluntary handling: brief ear touch, gentle lift or look, marker, reward and release before the puppy turns away. · Practise brushing and parting the silky coat in easy body areas on a stable non-slip surface, adding a new area only while the puppy remains loose and willing.

General reference range only; individual dogs vary considerably.

Predictability lowers arousal

The first week: daily rhythm

Move the times to fit your household; preserve the order and the ratio of awake time to sleep.

Example rhythm for an eight-week-old puppy
TimeWhat happens
06:30Wake and toilet
Before greeting or play, carry a small puppy directly to the chosen toilet spot.
06:35Breakfast
Use part of the meal for name response and calm four-paws-on-floor reinforcement.
06:45–07:00Calm awake time
Five to fifteen minutes of sniffing, chewing or gentle handling.
07:00–09:00Protected sleep
One to two hours of rest in the crate.
09:00Toilet
Go immediately after release from the crate.
09:05Micro-training
Train for two minutes, then allow five to fifteen minutes of supervised activity.
09:25–11:00Protected sleep
Keep visitors, children and household traffic away from the rest area.
11:00Toilet, water and meal
Offer the next meal if following a multi-meal puppy plan, then keep activity calm.
11:30–13:30Protected sleep
One to two hours of uninterrupted rest.
13:30–17:30Repeat the cycle
Toilet, a two-minute lesson or brief activity, then sleep; toilet after drinking, play and every crate release.
17:30Evening meal
Use part of the ration for name work, followed by toileting and quiet family time.
18:00–20:30Short awake periods
Alternate brief activity with naps; do not turn the evening into continuous play.
22:00–22:30Final toilet
Settle the crate beside the bed after the final toilet trip.
OvernightQuiet toilet if needed
Take the puppy out without play or conversation, then return directly to the bedroom crate.

Do not do these things in the first week

Introduce family members in this order

  1. Children Ask the child to sit on the floor. No chasing, picking up, hugging or crowding; an adult controls the distance.
  2. Resident dogs Meet outdoors on neutral ground, then begin with a calm parallel walk before entering the home.
  3. Cats Maintain secure separation and prevent every chase rehearsal. If the breed profile requires professional cat or small-animal compatibility assessment, do not progress to visual or direct exposure yourself; the qualified professional sets the plan. The cat must always have an exit route.

Training with FluffyWA

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