CH Spindrift North Star Chaser

Fun ways to exercise your ECS:

• Teach your puppy basic obedience
• Teach your puppy to fetch a ball
• Get on the floor and play with your puppy
• Participate in advanced training: Hunt tests and Agility tests

The English Cocker was originally bred as a hunting companion. Endurance was one key characteristic to develop when breeding this wonderful dog. Much of this energy, as well as intelligence and hunting instinct, remains in today's English Cocker Spaniels.

Although most owners of ECSs don't hunt with their pets, these characteristics can be nurtured to provide your ECS with a healthy, active and interesting life.

Basic Obedience. Teaching your puppy to Heel, Sit, Stay, and to Come are physical activities that provide an ideal outlet for your puppy's abundance of energy. It's also a great chance to bond with your new friend. Basic obedience also requires your puppy's full concentration. This is also tiring, so keep your sessions very short in the beginning. Sessions can be lengthened as your puppy develops. For more on basic obedience, please visit our Internet ECS resources page or our ECS reading recommendations page.

Your ECS was originally bred as a hunting companion. The ECS has retained much of its natural hunting ability and instinct. In fact, many of our Spindrift ECS dogs have gone to families that hunt with their dogs each season. There are many comprehensive books and groups that can assist you in training your ECS to be an excellent hunting companion.

What if you don't want a hunting ECS? Your puppy's natural hunting instinct can be utilized to provide a fun source of exercise your puppy will enjoy its entire life. Along with a good nose and great endurance, the ECS was bred to retrieve. Teaching your puppy to fetch a tennis ball taps into their natural desire to retrieve and, you'll soon see, that it's an activity that will keep your ECS fit. Best of all, it's something your ECS will love to do.

Puppies love to play, so play with your puppy! It might seem obvious, but playing with your puppy is a great outlet for his energy. So, get on the floor with a few of his toys and your puppy will lead the way. You'll wear him out and do a little bonding while having a great time.

Training for organized hunt tests and agility tests can also be a great way to give your ECS a workout. Sharon's own ECSs regularly participates in these events and have been very successful. For more information on these events, please visit our Internet ECS resources page or our ECS reading recommendations page.

Tip: Keep your ECS active and it will enjoy a long healthy, active and interesting life.