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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.

Precision before vocabulary

Marker training foundations

A marker is one short, consistent sound—a clicker click or a spoken “Yes!”—that means: “That exact behaviour; your reward is coming.”

Charge the marker in three steps

  1. Choose a quiet environment Remove toys, people and movement so the sound is the only new information.
  2. Marker, then food within one second ×15 Make the sound once, then deliver one piece of food within one second. The puppy does not need to perform a cue.
  3. Test the association Make the marker sound while the puppy is not already watching you. An immediate turn towards you means charging is complete.
Watercolour diagram showing the timing of a marker word and food reward
YES = marker word; TREAT WITHIN 2 SECONDS = reward promptly. This manual uses a stricter one-second training target.

Reward placement sets up the next action

Keep the position

Feed at the puppy’s mouth

To maintain a sit, bring the food directly to the mouth so the puppy does not need to stand or step forward.

Reset for another repetition

Toss the food away

To have the puppy get up and repeat, toss the food away, let the puppy collect it, then set up the behaviour again.

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