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The doghouse

At the end of my tether...

6 replies

daftwit · 17/09/2013 16:50

Please can anyone advise me on why my puppy is biting and how to stop. She is a 7 month cocker spaniel ( show type ) she has always nipped and bit our legs, I have put it down to being a pup and thought she would grow out of it, but she has reduced me to tears so many times lately as she appears so aggressive.
Nothing seems to trigger it, she literally barks, snarls, curls her top lip,her haunches are up on her shoulders and she bites.
We have tried - saying no in a firm voice and leaving the room for a few minutes.

  • distracting her with a chew toy / ball / kong
  • putting her into her crate for time out
  • she has 2 long walks a day ( a good run off her lead )

I have been told that cocker spaniels are renowned for being nippy when they are puppies , not sure if this is a fact, but I would have hoped by 7 months she would be stopping the biting.
Please can any one offer me some advice ?
OP posts:
binger · 17/09/2013 17:10

I have a gold show girl too. She was calming down with the biting at this age.

First thing I would say if you hear of cocker rage, ignore it, there is no proof to this.

Do you have experience with dogs or is this your first? When does she bite - food/bed/toy guarding, when at rest, anytime at all?

She's still so young and has a lot of learning to do. My girl will guard and I'm the only one in the house she doesn't do it with because I take a no nonsense approach.

You need respect and boundaries but it's difficult to help without more info.

binger · 17/09/2013 17:11

Sorry just read nothing triggers it. Could she be unwell or starting first season?

idirdog · 17/09/2013 18:55

What are you doing when she starts?

What is she doing or has she just stopped doing before she starts?

moosemama · 17/09/2013 19:02

I suspect, as from your description she sounds like she bites, rather than nips, that there are triggers, but you aren't able to see/read them.

I'd highly recommend the following books to help you get a handle on her body language and enable you to read the warning signs.

On Talking Terms with Dogs - Turid Rugaas

The Official Ahimsa Dog Training Manual

My SIL has a show cocker and she is very snappy. According to SIL just snaps without warning and is totally unpredictable, but she is actually a very stressed and unhappy girl who is giving them lots of warning signs, that they are unable to read.

I'd also recommend joining a good 'positive' dog training school, as this will help you develop a stronger bond, learn how to communicate with her and give you the skills you need to handle and direct her behaviour.

She is still very young and if you learn how to read her body language and communicate more effectively with her now it will make both her and your life much happier and easier in future.

daftwit · 17/09/2013 20:04

Thank you all for your comments, she has recently been spayed so it not her season that is making her bite.

I shall look into the books, I cannot think of anything that triggers these biting attacks. She will suddenly just lunge and bite, I never thought for one minute it could be cocker rage, I understand that is extremely rare.

She plays with dogs of all types and ages on our walks and sometimes they bark and snap at her when she is becoming too playful but she has never bit or barked back at them.

I have a clicker and am trying positive training but would enjoy her so much more if this biting would end, it hurts and does worry me .

OP posts:
daftwit · 17/09/2013 22:26

Binger , sorry I never replied to your earlier question. She is not my first dog, I had a dog before for 3 and half years ( died unexpectedly ) .

OP posts:
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