Puppy growling and snapping

[MightyMeerkat]

Can I ask your advice please? Pup is 13.5 weeks, a sprocker spaniel. She has started to growl when she is picked up - not all of the time, usually when she is comfy and settled e.g. on the sofa or in the car. I've tried to be calm and gentle with her and I never pick her up when she is asleep.

Tonight I picked her up from doggy daycare and as I went to lift her out of the car she growled then lunged at me, snapping her teeth. It really freaked me out. I left her in the car whilst I got a treat and her lead to try and coax her out. She was not having it. After 15 minutes she finally jumped out on her own. But it's a high car and she really shouldn't be jumping down that far at her age.

Does anyone have any advice? I'm guessing that she was tired after daycare and didn't want to move. But once she'd jumped down she started running around with her toys and wanted to go in the garden so it's not entirely tired.

Any advice appreciated. I've never known a puppy behave in that way before.

The first thing I thought when reading your post was cocker spaniel rage, I think that's what it is called.
Where did you get the dog from?
Did you meet mum and dad?

I've just read that English springers can have rage syndrome too.
Both breeds are prone to rage.
I'd speak to the breeder.

Source of pain such as neck or back pain? Vet check is a good idea and let them know what's been happening.
As PP said, I'd also discuss with breeder and ask about temperament of mum, dad and siblings.

I got her from a breeder and saw mum but not dad. He was a stud. I'll contact them and see what they say.

I think lots of puppies don't like being picked up. A growl is their way of communicating that.

Maybe try and do a bit of training when she isn't tired. Practice getting her out of the car and treat immediately so she starts associating that with something nice? Same with the sofa. If you also add in a command when this is going to happen you can use that to reinforce to her that you getting her down will involve a treat.

What was mum like with you?

Personally I don't think it's normal for puppies to growl when their owners pick them up like someone said above.
Growl in play yes but not being picked up.

Mum was lovely. No issues so far as I could tell.

Some practice and command training sounds like a good idea. I try not to pick pup up unless I have to. But my car is an SUV so a big jump for a small pup.

I would also find a good 1-1 trainer who will come to your home to work with you on specific behaviours like this.

That's good.
Was it just the one breeding dog she had?
I'm asking because alot of people who breed crossbreeds are puppy farmers or back yard breeders.

It was a farm and the mum was a pet although part working as the owner is a gamekeeper. They also had a Labrador who was lovely.

Funny they purposely decided to cross breed their dog.
I think you could tell in the price if they cross bred for money.
Did they tell you why they didn't breed with the same breed as the mother.
What made them decide a cross was a better option?
Especially as both breeds are prone to rage syndrome.

When your dog is resting and you’re having a cuddle, try gently(!!) squeezing and adding some pressure to all parts of her body just to rule out any pain or sore spots. That’s at least my routine when my dogs seems upset at handling or reacting to harnesses etc.

Cocker Rage Syndrome

Whoow Cocker rage is extremely rare. I would not be jumping to that conclusion in a puppy in this situation.

Many puppies do not like being picked up and need to learn to like it.

A ew things to consider.

Dont pick up your puppy when they can not see you eg grab them from behind.

Always let them now you are going to pick them up eg say lifting and then lift them up

At the stage you are in now avoid picking up your puppy. Hold treats in your hand and stroke your puppy. Watch their reaction to being touched. Touch their belly and their back legs.Get them used to this before attempting to pick them up at all.

If you want to move them use a treat to lure them into the new position.

Re the car can you give them a step or a ramp to use to get in and out until they are used to being picked up.

If you watch your puppy carefully I expect you will see other areas that they do not like being touched and you will need to work on these slowly and carefully.

Just for the record cocker rage is an agression with NO reason (so not in this case where the puppy is being picked up which causes the reaction)

Fgs can people stop saying 'cocker rage'? It doesn't sound like that at all, and it's not common. They're hardly 'prone' to it. A growl is a common warning sign, of course it's normal for puppies to growl if they're trying to tell you they don't like something. They're learning all the time. That's not to say it's desirable, but I think some of these posts are wrong and OTT. Sprockers aren't cross-breeds in the same way as cockapoos, they're bred to be working dogs.

Sprockers aren't cross-breeds in the same way as cockapoos, they're bred to be working dogs.

😂😂 They are still cross breeds doesn't matter how you look at it.

I mentioned rage syndrome and like I said I don't know much about it but the OP can look it up if she wants too.

Mumsnet never fails to make me laugh posters getting mad at strangers on the Internet they don't agree with. It's brilliant.

A growl is a common warning sign, of course it's normal for puppies to growl

I've had dogs for over half my life and I've never had a puppy growl at me.
What are you doing to your dogs to make them growl at you

Sprockers are massively common working dogs. In fact the history of separation of cocker and Springer is relatively recent. Both descended from same field spaniels.

My first thought was - what is the daycare set-up? How long is she there for, how many other dogs, is it in someone's house or a larger scale professional place, etc. 13 weeks is young to cope with some group daycare scenarios and thinking of some of the local ones I know she could be overstimulated, exhausted or in pain.

Never had a dog growl at me either. Not normal unless they're in pain. If you feel confident general examination to see if any sore areas but tbh if you're posting here great you care enough but consider vet having a look over.

She has started to growl when she is picked up - not all of the time, usually when she is comfy and settled e.g. on the sofa or in the car

You don't need to be picking pup up to get off the sofa at all. The dog has legs and will be capable if jumping that distance at 13 weeks. Encourage and use commands or treats if you need her down.

If you don't want her on the sofa at all, don't let her getup there in the first place.

A long indoor lead is a good training tool if at-a-distance encouragement to move is needed.

Stop picking her up and carrying her anywhere she is able to get herself.

The car is higher, so help will be needed. I'd fuss her and wake her up in the boot before getting her down. Use treats. Then treat as you lift her and treat as she sits upon being put down.

I think it’s normal in play, not so sure about being picked up though. None of ours have, we’ve had a few breeds. Lab hates being picked up and will just stare at you - he’s old so we have to sometimes.

Take the dog to the vet, no one on here is going to know for sure.

I very much doubt it’s cocker rage syndrome. She was knackered and didn’t want to move. Ours snapped or growled a bit if we tried to move her when she was little.

We did some treat training at getting off the sofa, into her bed, in and out of the car and she just got used to what we wanted her todo. Also If she’s tired and we need to move her we wake her up gently.

She’s a pup she’s still learning, doesn’t mean she’s a bad dog.