Hi Brian and thank you - always a worry when you write something that could be taken the wrong way! It's not intended to be anything other than helpful and my experience
The general guideline for excercise is 5 minutes for every month old, up to three times a day. Toby should only really be getting 30-40 minutes at a time ideally although that isn't always practical - with my two I'd let them have plenty of rest the following day if they did any more than I expected!
Around 14 months old I believe the growth plates of a cocker spaniel would be close enough to think about longer walks/exercise sessions.
Brain training is just as important, if not more so than excercise for a cocker - asking him to sit and wait while you walk around him or leave the room/return will, I guarantee you, exhaust him!
It's also a good idea to start doing this with his food when he's had longer to settle in with you - ask him to sit and wait before placing his meal on the floor then use a "release" command to let him know he can have his meal - it may take two of you to start with (one holding his collar gently) but before long he will realise he always gets his meal. Over time you can build up the length of time he has to wait before you "release" him - this forms the basics of sit and stay outside and you will have a calmer house!
