When Do Cocker Spaniels Calm Down?

Cocker spaniels are an adorable dog breed. With their long wavy coat, their large ears, wavy curls and their large puppy eyes, it is no surprise that these lovely creatures win most people over with this cuteness overload. Their medium-sized body also makes them ideal for the majority of people as they are neither too large nor too small.

Appearances aside, cocker spaniels are a very energy-intensive dog breed and for some people they can be a little too hyper. It is this energy intensity that makes them a perfect family dog, especially for a family with small children as they are always willing to play.

If you are thinking of getting one, you must be wondering what makes them this energetic and whether they will ever calm down. In this article, we will answer these questions and also let you in on how to deal with the energy intensity.

Why are cocker spaniels hyper?

To understand why cocker spaniels are hyper, we have to step back in time. The cocker spaniel dog breed was specifically bred for hunting. As a hunting dog, a cocker spaniel is specialised in retrieving game for its owners. Whilst you may not be a hunter, a cocker spaniel’s hunting genes do not change when you get one. You will still need to keep them active to expel their energy. That said, you might be wondering, when do cocker spaniels calm down?

You can learn in more detail why your cocker spaniel might be more hyper than usual here

When do cocker spaniels calm down?

Most dog breeds are energy-intensive from when they are puppies to around the time they turn 2 years. After two years they have fully developed into adult dogs and you should notice their energy calm a little.

Cocker spaniel resting and more calm than usual

However, cocker spaniels, on the other hand, do not calm down. A cocker spaniel will retain the puppyish personality their entire lifetime, which could be anywhere between 10 to 15 years. They might slow down slightly after they are they have passed the puppy stage, but not significantly.

How do you get a cocker spaniel to calm down?

Sometimes your cocker spaniel might be too hyper to focus. This hyperactivity might also lead to behavioural problems. If your cocker spaniel is being hyperactive, here are a few tips you can use to get your cocker to calm down.

Will more exercise calm a cocker spaniel down?

Cocker spaniel getting plenty of exercise

One of the best ways to dispel a cocker’s extra energy is through exercise. The cocker spaniel dog breed is an exercise-intensive dog breed. Ideally, you want to make sure that you walk your cocker spaniel for about an hour a day. You could walk them for 30 minutes in the morning and 30 minutes in the evening. With a good dog running lead, a cocker spaniel will also make a great companion to your morning or evening runs.

Giving your cocker spaniel toys will help with development and and keeping them entertained

Buy your cocker spaniel some dog toys to play with when they are bored. Good chew toys will be especially handy when your cocker spaniel is going through its teething stage. If you want to play and bond with your pup, you can buy some interactive toys for them.

Sometimes you might also want to do your own thing outdoors, like read a book. In such cases, autonomous dogs’ toys like a good automatic dog ball launcher will be perfect.

You can also read more about how much exercise cocker spaniels and why its important to give them the right type and amount of exercise.

Can you train a cocker spaniel to be more calm?

Obedience training will also come in handy when your cocker spaniel is being hyperactive. Training your cocker spaniel on simple commands like sit, stay, or lie down will help you calm your dog when they are being too hyperactive. After you have gotten them to calm down, you can then refocus their energy by taking them out for a walk or out in the back garden to play and tire them out.

In conclusion,

Cocker spaniels are a fantastic dog breed. Before you get yourself a cocker spaniel, however, you need to be sure that you can keep up with their energy levels. If you don’t live a very active lifestyle, a cocker spaniel may not be an ideal choice for you.

While other dog breeds calm down once they have gotten through their puppy stage (at around 2 years old) cocker spaniels maintain their puppyish energy all their lives because they are a working dog breed, bred for hunting.

You can learn more about working cocker spaniels in this guide here

Exercise and play are the best ways to dispel your cocker spaniels energy. After you tire them out for the day, they will calm down. Dog toys will also be handy. You can buy interactive dog toys too if you want to join in on the fun, and it’s also a perfect way to bond with your furry friend