Hyper dog at the start of every walk - how the hell do I calm him down?

[SirChenjins]

It’s like he’s never taken on a walk…he’s 11 months, so still young yet, but as soon as lunch and dinner are finished he works himself into a frenzy, knowing that’s the cue for his walks. I’ve tried doing some brain games beforehand to try and calm him down, but it’s no good, he’s ‘in the zone’, and have tried turning and going home when he’s worked up but that just prolongs the hyperactivity. The first 15 minutes of the walk are a nightmare - he barks at everything, sniffs manically at every blade of grass, and can’t be let off lead (as we’ve discovered). Any ideas how I can calm him down before we leave? He settles down as the walk progresses.

If this were me I'd put on his harness and lead randomly, lots. Id leave it on him in the house a lot and then casusally pick up the lead and head out. Id head out on varying short routes. I would also play two ball with him early in the day in the garden to take the energy away. Have you tried training good solid waits and returns to hand during walk for 'touch, check in'?

Thanks again everyone, I really appreciate it and I will be putting everything into practice. The walks were varied yesterday - a couple of short ones during the day, a trip to the dog field before dinner to meet up with some friends and their dogs, and a walk with DH late at night. All was calm before they left - great - and then it wasn’t…DH was a bit frazzled when he got home, crazy dog had been a bit reactive. Today’s another day! I’m going to try putting his lead on and off and will do some obedience training before we start the walk. Walk times are varied today as per usual at the weekend.

This is excellent advise.

@SirChenjins Here!

My cocker also does the pre walk spins. I fold my arms and he gets no attention til his arse is parked on the floor calmly.

I also randomly lick up and move my walk bag and rotate/switch leads regularly so he doesn't get an association of which one I will use or which I am washing/moving etc

Switch it up, spaniels love routine but they can be a bit reliant on it and need to have their routines changed so they don't get antsy.

Thanks @GuyFawkesDay 😊

So today was a better day…he had a walk this morning and I broke down all the steps involved in getting out of the door (collar/harness/lead/my boots/coat), and only moved onto the next one when he was calm and sitting still or lying down, according to my command. Rewarded with a treat as he achieved each stage.
I walked really, really slowly, with lots of praise and some treats for quiet calm, and kept him on a short lead. I fixed the lead to his chest D ring, and gave a gentle tug if he started to pull. Most of the time the lead was loose. We met all of his triggers - 2 runners, a postie, a child on a scooter and lots of other dogs including 2 off lead collies who came bounding up to him and barking loudly- I was more pissed off than he was, he took it all in his stride. The whole walk from start to finish took us ages!
DS2 took him out for a walk while we were out shopping - no complaints reported so I think everything was ok!
We took him out again before dinner and walked through a seaside town then got fish and chips. Same slow walking, lots of time for sniffing in this new area, lots of praise for calm. We did meet one of his friends and they hyped each other up so he was a bit reactive after that, but he did settle down.

Does the above sound ok as a first attempt?