you are bang on there mate i got a 11 month old cocker now she pulls like hell cant stop her as like tyou said she noes were she ig going and its =in the morning and night if i have to put her on the lead when we are out she does not pull.
Get on the field boys it works.Every now and again he will pull just a little.Ispent all two days doing this and he got it. Short slip lead is the key and as high as it will go around the back of the head.good luck.