| Are you trying to find out how to train an American | | | | their human companions. Don't be mistaken, they |
| Water Spaniel? You've come to the right place! | | | | need large spaces from time to time to run, play, and |
| American Water Spaniels are canine hunting breeds. | | | | carry out their canine instincts. Apartment living is just |
| They are one of the few breeds that developed in | | | | fine but you still need to give them their daily |
| the United States and amazingly, its history is | | | | exercise and stimulation. |
| shrouded in mystery. There are widely accepted | | | | American Water Spaniels respond well to training but |
| theories of its origin but all of them are still unproven | | | | not to harsh methods. Harsh training techniques will |
| suppositions. | | | | eventually screw with their attitude development. |
| These dogs are mid-size and will weigh up to 50 lbs. | | | | They will become too timid and too scared to do |
| They have a hard, muscular build and their coat is | | | | things. AWS with poor behavior development may |
| curly, mostly colored solid liver or chocolate brown. | | | | even bite out of fear. |
| These are great family breeds. They are eager to | | | | They don't like rote training. They are so intelligent |
| please their masters and therefore easy to train. Like | | | | that they need variety and they really like to use |
| most medium to large sized dogs, American Water | | | | their dog brains to solve dog problems. As hunting |
| Spaniels respond well to the alpha entity. As an | | | | dogs, physical training is essential although, they do |
| owner, you must establish this connection with the | | | | not need to hunt to be happy. Basic fetch and finding |
| AWS. Failure to establish this hierarchal system with | | | | hidden objects during field exercises is sufficient |
| your dog will make it very hard for you to control its | | | | enough to stimulate their physical needs. |
| behavior. It will become too dominant and very | | | | Keep in mind that with American Water Spaniels, |
| stubborn. | | | | regular play time is needed. They prefer to play with |
| American Water Spaniels are companion dogs. And | | | | human companions rather than with toys. |
| they make nightmare girlfriends. They are clingy and | | | | Obedience training classes are a must for these dogs. |
| needy dogs. They need constant attention and they | | | | This will make it easy for you to manage them. Also |
| don't do well if always left alone. | | | | a point to consider is that American Water Spaniels |
| With this characteristic, they are perfect for large | | | | are barkers. You have to control this AWS innate |
| families with children. They see small children as their | | | | behavior if you don't like to be annoyed with |
| kennel mates and they just love to be around them. | | | | excessive barking. |
| Just do not let children go near the American Water | | | | As their name suggest, water spaniels like to swim. It |
| Spaniels when they are feeding. This breed is known | | | | is mainly because of their origin as duck hunters and |
| to be food possessive. | | | | retrievers. So if you have a pool or have easy |
| American Water Spaniels manage just fine even in | | | | access to one, have fun with your pooch in the |
| cramped houses. AWS may even prefer a small | | | | water. |
| house so they have better chances of being with | | | | |