If you’ve ever wondered whether cavalier king charles spaniels are as well-behaved as they are adorable, you’re in the right place. Maybe you have seen cavaliers in the media or someone you know owns a wonderful cavalier and now you are wondering if they are all just as well-behaved.
Join me as I explain with over 18 years of experience the positive behavior traits of cavaliers and uncover what makes them such beloved dogs.
Cavalier Characteristics Overview
Cavalier king charles spaniels are renowned for their charming and affectionate characteristics. These small-sized dogs possess a gentle and friendly temperament, making them ideal dogs for families and first-time dog owners.
Cavaliers thrive on human interaction and are eager to please their owners. They exhibit traits such as loyalty, adaptability, and a playful demeanor.
I have already written a comprehensive blog post about the overall temperament of cavalier king charles spaniels where I go through all the positive and negative aspects. ⬇
Are Cavaliers Well-Behaved?
In short, yes, cavalier king charles spaniels are generally well-behaved dogs, which is why they’re an excellent choice for first-time dog owners.
These little spaniels are soft, gentle, and eager to please their humans. But like any other animals, cavaliers need basic training and boundaries to become good canine citizens.
The good manners of cavaliers don’t simply materialize out of thin air, which is why I encourage you to keep reading!
Assessing the Behavior of Cavalier King Charles Spaniels
Cavaliers have been bred for centuries to be companion dogs. The function of this breed is solely to be a social and happy companion without any aggressive behavior.
The social nature allows cavaliers to be friends with everyone. The small spaniel will happily greet strangers without any hesitation.
Their biting threshold is extremely high. This means that in most scenarios, cavalier king charles spaniels won’t attack the aggressor even in highly threatening situations. They will submit, lay down on the ground belly up, and plead for mercy.
Normally male cavaliers do not act macho towards other male dogs. Male cavaliers don’t have problems accepting the presence of other male dogs and cavaliers are not the ones picking fights.
All these characteristics lay a wonderful foundation for a dog to be considered well-behaved, but owners affect greatly the dog’s behavior as well!
The Bad Manners of Cavalier King Charles Spaniels’
Due to cavaliers’ small size, kind, and gentle temperament, owners often dismiss bad behavior as ‘silly’ or ‘goofy’.
Professional Food Beggers
For example, many cavaliers LOVE food and they will be in the kitchen acting as sous chefs whenever the owner is preparing a meal. This leads to begging, often with audible whining. It is hard to say no to those big brown puppy eyes and oops, the dog just got a just a small treat.
This only reinforces the begging behavior and soon the cavalier will be begging for food from the kitchen and the dinner table, even from the guests as well.
Small Dog, Small Threat
Cavalier king charles spaniels are small dogs, which come with a couple of “advantages”. Due to their size, cavaliers typically cannot cause significant damage to people or other animals, even if they exhibit bad behavior.
Their small size also means cavaliers are easy to contain on a leash, even if they are prone to pulling, jumping, or behaving otherwise boisterously.
If a large dog, let’s say a rottweiler, displayed the behavior described above, it would be at least frowned upon and even dangerous. The owners of the large dog would seek a dog trainer’s help but a small spaniel behaving badly can be more easily dismissed.
Once a Spaniel, Always a Spaniel
Cavalier king charles spaniels possess an instinct to chase after small animals, stemming from their heritage as hunting dogs.
This innate behavior can manifest during walks or outdoor activities when they catch sight or scent of squirrels, birds, or other small creatures.
While this chasing instinct is deeply ingrained, owners need to manage and redirect this behavior through training and supervision. Some sources say to keep your cavalier on a leash at all times, but with basic training and a strong recall, I see no issues letting your cavalier off leash in a safe environment.
The Keys to Well-Behaved Cavaliers
Cavalier king charles spaniels are relatively easy to train. Due to cavaliers’ soft and people-pleasing nature, they will display wanted behavior quickly without the need for harsh training methods.
The keys to fostering a well-behaved cavalier lie in understanding their gentle temperament and specific needs while implementing effective training techniques.
Early socialization plays a crucial role, exposing them to various stimuli to build confidence and positive social skills. Positive reinforcement training methods, emphasizing rewards for desired behaviors, coupled with consistent rules and boundaries, help shape their conduct.
Providing ample mental and physical stimulation through engaging activities and close supervision aids in preventing boredom-induced misbehavior.
The 9 Signs of a Well-Behaved Cavalier
Observing the dog’s actions can help owners assess and reinforce positive behaviors in their cavaliers, ensuring a stable and fulfilling relationship between the dog and the owner.
Here are some key signs:
- Responsive to Commands: A well-behaved cavalier will typically respond promptly to basic obedience commands such as sit, stay, and come when called.
- Good Leash Manners: They walk calmly on a leash without pulling or lunging, making walks enjoyable for both the dog and the owner.
- Friendly and Sociable: Well-behaved cavaliers are typically friendly and sociable with people and other animals. They greet strangers politely and interact positively with other dogs.
- Calm and Relaxed: They exhibit a calm and relaxed demeanor in various environments, showing confidence and ease in different situations.
- No Destructive Behavior: A well-behaved cavalier will not engage in destructive behaviors such as chewing furniture or excessive barking when left alone.
- House-Trained: They understand and adhere to house-training rules, knowing where to relieve themselves and keeping accidents to a minimum indoors.
- Well-Mannered Around Food: They demonstrate good manners around food, such as waiting patiently for meals and not begging or stealing food from counters or tables.
- Respectful Boundaries: Well-behaved cavaliers understand and respect boundaries set by their owners, such as staying off certain furniture or not jumping on people without invitation.
- Comfortable with Handling: They are comfortable being handled for grooming, veterinary exams, and other necessary care routines, showing no signs of fear or aggression.
The signs of a well-behaved cavalier are often evident in their daily actions and routines.
What to Do with Behavior Challenges in Cavaliers?
Identify the root cause of the behavior problems. Is your cavalier anxious, bored, or seeking attention? Understanding the underlying motivations can help you develop strategies to address the issues effectively.
For example, if your cavalier is exhibiting destructive behavior when left alone, they may be experiencing separation anxiety, which requires a different approach than if they are simply bored.
Patience and understanding are paramount as owners navigate occasional behavioral challenges. Recognizing that every dog is unique and may require tailored approaches to training, owners should remain patient and compassionate throughout the process.
By incorporating these strategies into daily interactions, owners can nurture well-behaved Cavaliers, fostering harmonious relationships and fulfilling companionships.
Avoid punishment-based training methods! They can damage the trust between you and your cavalier and may exacerbate behavior problems. Instead, focus on redirecting and positively reinforcing desirable behaviors to foster a strong and healthy relationship with your dog.
Ensure that all family members are on the same page regarding training methods and expectations for the dog’s behavior. This consistency helps prevent confusion and reinforces desired behaviors more effectively.
Conclusion
Cavalier king charles spaniels often exhibit well-behaved and charming personalities, making them delightful companions for first-time dog owners and families alike.
While each dog is unique, the breed’s typically gentle nature, intelligence, and eagerness to please contribute to their reputation as well-mannered dogs.
With proper training, socialization, and love, cavaliers can thrive as affectionate and well-behaved members of any household, bringing joy and companionship to their owners for years to come.
