Cavalier Dog Training

Big Dog | March 9th, 2009

Dogs have become such an important part of our society, that the need for them to fit in well with other human beings and not pose a threat or a disturbance is critical to their long term acceptance by our neighbors and others around us. Not all people are dog lovers and to make sure that they’re not inconvenienced by our pets, training is essential.

Training dogs is a specialized skill since the key difficulty lies in how to communicate efficiently with them.

All dog training is a repetition of the basic principle of reward and punishment in various forms and combinations. Communication of these signals is the key to proper training. One very important thing to remember is consistency of signals. The reliability of the training depends on how well a dog is able to be sure of what your signals mean.
It must also be mentioned that different dog breeds take to training differently. Dogs like the iconic German Shepherd are very easily trained due to their high intelligence. Cavaliers are a moderately fast learners. Another important factor is the emotional state of the dog. A dog that is frightened, anxious, or insecure doesn’t train well and this reflects the importance of factors like proper socialization of puppies.

A lot of studies have shown that proper puppy socialization goes a long way towards ensuring a good temperament and receptivity towards training. Lots of handling, petting and generally being around humans in their everyday life goes a long way towards making a dog well behaved and easy to train.

Training Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppies should not begin too early however, as there is evidence to show that before a certain age, the brains of puppies are not significantly developed enough to process complex learning.

Professional dog trainers are best when it comes to training your dog as they will ensure that the proper habits are set for life, including how to behave around strangers. For the safety of your dog, it is your duty as an owner to ensure that he or she is well trained.

Want to solve your dog’s behavioral problems?

Secrets to Dog Training covers all aspects of dog training, including behavioral issues that can ruin the relationship between dog and owner. If you have ever tried to train a dog, you know from experience what a challenge it can be. Here is what’s inside Secrets to Dog Training to help you avoid all the frustration and pain usually associated with training a dog yourself. Among many others, you will learn how to:

  • curb your dog’s aggressiveness
  • make your dog understand what is right and wrong
  • house train your dog
  • stop your dog racing in the house
  • deal with a dominant dog
  • overcome separation anxiety
  • stop your dog jumping on people
  • apply the cutting edge Dog Whispering technique
  • deal with more than one dog in the house
  • stop the family cat being harrassed.

Visit Secrets to Dog Training official website for more information.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel for children?

Big Dog | January 22nd, 2009

The Cavalier king Charles Spaniel is extremely affectionate and is frequently referred to as the ‘love sponge’ of dogs due to their insatiable need for affection. With children in the house, the Cavalier King Charles is an excellent companion due to this trait and is one of the breeds most recommended for children.

However, if the children in the house are extremely young, it is not recommended to have a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel in the house since they might hurt the puppy. This dog as a puppy is recommended for slightly older children – say above the age of five.

Due to their obedient nature and their eagerness to please, these lovely dogs are one of the perfect companions for a playful owner. They are also called the ‘Ultimate Lap dog’. In addition, they get along extremely will with other dogs too!

All in all, this breed is a great choice for companionship – not only with children, but for senior citizens as well.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel with Children

Health Concerns of a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel…

D Dog Fan | April 7th, 2008

The Cavalier is a healthy little dog in general, but like with all breeds, genetics can play a role in illnesses that the breed as a whole suffers from. Some health issues that you will need to take not of include : heart murmurs, slipped stifle (A condition which occurs when the knee-like joint above the hock in the hind leg of a dog slips and may require surgery), patella luxation, ear infections, eye conditions, allergies, syringomyelia, and mitral valve disease.

Cavalier King Charles Puppies

Take care of your little Cavalier, and take him or her to the vet on a regular basis!! Prevention is stronger than cure!

How To Give Your Dog a Checkup

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel….the Bird Dogs of the past?

D Dog Fan | March 12th, 2008

Oh wow! I came upon the most amazing posting at a site called Euro Puppy Blog Someone asked them a question that has been bugging me for some time, and finally I have an answer for it. Have you ever considered why a Cavalier King charles Spaniel is not a Bird Dog? Or is it? If it is, why is it no longer used as a Bird Dog? Did nature ever intend it to be one?

Well according to Euro Puppy, – and I quote them….( hope they won’t mind; I am just so excited to finally get an aswer for this puzzle…)

“The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is an interesting breed since it is first and foremost a companion dog. Even the FCI registers it in the 9th group, which is designated for companion dogs. All the other spaniels belong to 8th group as designated by the FCI. This group is for the spaniels that are more hunting / bird dogs. A Cavalier, however is in its element if it is around people and family members. Therefore it is a companion dog. However, like all Spaniels, the Cavalier also has a genetic background of being a hunting dog?or a gun dog /bird dog since it was used to retrieve birds and game.

Of all the Spaniel breeds, the original Cavalier is the only one that developed into a lap dog and therefore its hunting instincts have quite drastically been hindered. The other Spaniels, like the Springer Spaniel or an American Cocker Spaniel are also great family dogs, but their hunting, bird dog instincts are far greater, since they are still today used for such activities. Cavaliers, however have been known to catch small birds in mid-flight that fly too close to the ground. Such behavior is a result of their earlier use as a hunting dog, and as such, they can develop habits that predispose them to chase small animals such as chipmunks, squirrels, etc. Because of this, it is recommended that care should be taken when walking a Cavalier off-leash, as they can single-mindedly chase a butterfly or squirrel onto a busy road or other dangerous situations without regard for their own safety if not properly trained.

The energy of a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel comes from its hunting genes and latent hunting instinct. Although it is a perfect companion dog, because of this very same energy and drive, it needs to be exercised just like other Spaniels.

…a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel may be able to learn how to be a bird dog, due to its latent hunting instincts. However, it is a companion dog first and foremost. Other Spaniels and hunting breeds, like Vizslas and Pointers make perfect bird dogs. Therefore it is advisable to rather keep the Cavalier as a companion dog, and if you are keen to have a bird dog, then choose a bird dog, that is really a bird dog in spirit, in habit and in genetic make-up as well.”

Well….I think that answers my question pretty well!!

Things to consider when thinking of buying a Cavalier….

D Dog Fan | February 13th, 2008

These points are important when contemplating buying a cavalier King Charles Spaniel….

1. Do you have the time for a Cavalier puppy? All puppies need a substantial amount of your time and attention when they are small. Cavalier King Charles Sapniels are no exceptions to this rule.

2. Can you spend enough time with your Cavalier? Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are especially attached to their owners and experience serious separation anxiety when left alone.

3. Do you already have other pets? Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are very social animals and are usually happy to be around other pets. Introduce your new Cavalier Spaniel to your other pets gradually, and again, be watchful if your other pets are larger and might hurt your new puppy by mistake

4. Can you afford a Cavalier? Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppies usually come with quite a hefty quite price-tag to start off with – (ranging from $1,200 to $2,500). Then of course you still have to pay your veterinarian bills as well as food, bedding and accessories.

5. What exacty are you looking for? A hunting dog? A companion dog? A guard dog? Cavaliers are bred to be affectionate companions. They might bark now and then, but if you are looking for a bad-ass fighter dog, then the Cavalier is not for you.

6. Do you have children under age 5? Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppies are great with children, but it is important to watch children under the age of 5 so they don’t accidentally hurt a new puppy. If you have toddlers or tiny kids, you may want to buy an adult Cavalier.

7. How much do you intend to exercise your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel? Although this is a toy breed, Cavalier Spaniels need some amount of exercise every day stay to be healthy. You need to take him for regular walks.

8. Can you give enough attention to grooming and coat care? Cavalier King Charles Spaniels require regular grooming to look their best. Although once a week will suffice, regular grooming is necessary for this breed. Cavalier Spaniels will shed a bit seasonally, so you may find it helpful to groom daily during that time. Keep in mind that grooming also entails nail clipping and bathing as well!

So? Are you ready to jump into making the best decision of your life? Are you ready for a Cavalier?

The Temperament of a Cavalier….

D Dog Fan | February 13th, 2008

The Cavalier is a highly affectionate little dog. Due to this fact, some have called the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel “the ultimate lap dog” or the “love sponge” of dogs. Ideal representatives of this elegant little dog are playful, patient and eager to please. It is thus not surprising that Cavaliers are great with children and other dogs. A well-socialized Cavalier will not be afraid to be around larger dogs. Some Cavaliers however, may presume that all other dogs to be just as friendly, and may attempt to greet and play with aggressive dogs. As you can imgaine, this can get really dangerous!

Cavaliers will adapt quickly to almost any environment, family, and location. Their ability to bond with larger and smaller dogs make them ideal in houses with more than one breed of dog. Cavaliers are great with children as well as seniors;making them a very versatile dog breed! Since they lovee to be around all ages, they also make ideal therapy dogs for elderly people or sickly children. The breed is most comfortable in areas where the temperature is moderate. The extremely social nature of the Cavalier means that they require almost constant companionship from humans or other dogs. This breed may develop seperation anxiety and are thus not suited to being left on their own. This breed is the friendliest of the toy group. An overall magical little dog!

Cavalier magic

The Colors of a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel:

D Dog Fan | January 31st, 2008

The following colors are permitted according to the breed standard:

- Solid Red or Rust (a.k.a : Ruby). A Ruby that is truly 100% liver-colored is highly prized. But many lovely Rubys have small patches of white somewhere in their coats.

Ruby

- Black and Tan. The whole body is black, with specific areas of tan.

black and tan

-Tri-ccolored: ( Black and White with tan spots).The ears and area surrounding the eyes will be black, separated by a splash of white. Tricolors have tan markings over the eyes, on the cheeks and beneath the tail. This color combination is the most unusual and often carries the highest price tag.

tri-colored

-Blenheim: (Chestnut brown areas on white). It is a tribute to Blenheim Palace where the Duke of Marlborough raised this popular breed.

Blenheim

Cavalier….the supporter of King Charles I…

D Dog Fan | January 14th, 2008

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel has a unique history, and luckily -unlike with many breeds- its history is not shrouded in mystery. Its origin can be traced back through its name, which is also quite unique. Cavalier means: a Royalist supporter of King Charles I, during the period of the English Civil War (1642?1651). In the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries the King Charles Spaniel was an immensely popular little dog. Notice here, that it was not cavalier here yet. It was the favourite dog of King Charles II of England. These little dogs enjoyed the splendour of popularity only until the small, flat-faced Asian breeds like the Pug and the Shitzu were introduced into the royal families. Sadly, the original King Charles Spaniels – from whom the Cavalier King Charles Spaniels gained their wonderful gene-pool- lost their poularity somewhat. However with time, the King Chalres Spaniels crossed with the small Asian breeds to create an interesting, and flatter faced dog. Some 400 years ago, before they were crossed with the Asian breeds, the King Charles Spaniels were longer limbed and had pointier noses.

With centuries passing, the Euro-Asian mixture gained popularity and the King Charles Spaniel was looked upon fondly as a companion toy dog. Then in the early 20th century the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel was born. How? well in the 1920’s an American decided to give anyone the sum of 25 pounds if the King Charles Spaniel could be reverted back to its original form (before the pugs and Shitzu’s took over the gene-pool of the spaniel). This was a lot of money back then. Breeders re-bred the specific spaniel that resembled the favorite pet of King Charles II from the existing King Chalres Spaniel. With a longer snout, a flatter head and a spot on the top of the skull, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel was born…..and so the name Cavalier was added…meaning: a supporter of King Chalres..and in this case…a supporter of the original breed of the King Charles Spaniel. Rather amazing isn’t it?

The King Charles Spaniel with the flatter nose inherited from the Pug gene-pool:

King Charles Spaniel

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel….minus the pug-nose…

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Cute Video on Cavalier King Charles Puppies:

D Dog Fan | September 6th, 2007

Cavalier puppies playing: