Step 1
Choose a spot outdoors, in a quiet corner of your yard or the surrounding area, that you can bring your Cocker Spaniel to every time the dog needs to eliminate. In areas where inclement weather is prevalent, pick a spot sheltered from the weather by an awning or roof overhang.
Take your Cocker Spaniel's preference into consideration. The dog may prefer a surface other than grass to eliminate on, such as soil or mulch.
Step 2
Interrupt your Cocker Spaniel if you catch your cocker spaniel eliminating indoors by making a loud sound, such as clapping your hands. Bring your dog outdoors as quickly as possible on a leash when this happens. Cocker Spaniel weight varies from 15 to 30 pounds -- if your dog is small enough, pick your dog up and carry your dog outdoors to the elimination spot. Carrying your Cocker Spaniel outside makes it impossible for your dog to void or defecate inside and reinforces the outdoor potty training. Do not punish your dog, simply clean up the excrement and move on. Punishment does nothing to train cocker spaniels and can make them fearful of you and the training process.
Step 3
Leash your Cocker Spaniel and bring your dog outdoors to the bathroom spot. Make sure your dog is comfortable. If there is inclement weather, you could even dress your dog in a raincoat or a sweater! If your Cocker Spaniel is not comfortable, it may develop an aversion to going outside. Carry small treats in your pocket, but don't let your Cocker Spaniel know you have the treats or you will distract them.
Step 4
Say "Potty" or "Get Busy" and wait a few minutes for your cocker spaniel to eliminate. If your dog does eliminate, praise your dog verbally and give the dog a treat. Because Cocker Spaniels are an active breed, engage your dog in a fun game of fetch or a walk as part of the dog's reward.
Step 5
Return back indoors if your Cocker Spaniel didn't eliminate and wait 15 minutes before returning to the spot outdoors again. While in the house, keep your Cocker Spaniel on a leash to supervise your dog and prevent it from eliminating indoors. If you can't supervise the dog, put your dog in a crate for the 15 minutes. Continue this process until your cocker spaniel eliminates in the outdoor bathroom spot. Praise and reward the dog when it eliminates properly. Always wait until the deed has been done. Never interrupt the dog while it is in the process of eliminating or it will get excited and stop the act.
Step 6
Feed your Cocker Spaniel on a consistent schedule and take the dog out every two hours until it regularly eliminates outdoors. Once your dog eliminates properly, increase the time between bathroom breaks. Because Cocker Spaniels are small dogs, more frequent bathroom breaks are necessary for them due to their small bladders, even as adults.
If you are out of the house for long periods during the day, arrange for a dog walker to come to your home at least once during the day so that your cocker spaniel doesn't have to hold their urine for more than four to five hours at a time. A dog should never be crated for more than four to five hours anyway.