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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Original poster

My dog bit me

79 replies

Bitingspaniel · 09/12/2022 06:48

Hi there,

I'd love to get your thoughts on why my 11 month cocker has bitten me and my husband in the last week.

We've had him from a pup, good breeder, some teething (ha) troubles but nothing untoward. He was neutered at 10 months as he was humping a lot.

Last week I told him 'here' and he wouldn't come. He ran off to his crate instead. I said 'hey! Here! Come on' and followed him. He started growling and I was so shocked, really didn't think he would hurt me so bent down and put my hand in his crate and he bit me. I assumed it was my own fault for not reading the signs, although I do still think he should have come when I told him to!

The second time my husband was having dinner with the kids (12 and 10) when the dog jumped up and put his front paws on the table. We've never allowed that, so my husband said 'off' and the dog ignored him. Husband shouted it - still ignored. Husband got up and walked to dog to put him in his crate while the meal was going on and the dog lashed out. My kids told me there was blood everywhere.

There have been other instances but no biting- the dog stole a toy from my son's room and hid it in his crate and wouldn't 'drop' or 'leave' and growled if we went near. We'd learnt our lesson so left him and then got the toy back later.

Having read some other threads I will take him to the vet to see if they can check him over. What else should we be doing? I'm devastated. The rest of the time he's just a normal dog, sleeps well, always ready to play, has either 2 longer walks or 3 shorter walks a day. His recall isn't great but getting better. Any advice, or recommendations for a behaviourist would be fantastic, thank you (we're in London).

OP posts:
WetBandits · 09/12/2022 12:18

IToldYouAmillionTimesAlready · 09/12/2022 11:31

He ran off to his crate (I hate those things) so you put your hand in! You'd ignored his growls.

Your husband shouted at him, tried to get him into his CAGE (that's what a crate is) so he turned on your husband.

REWARD him for doing well and behaving nicely. Ignore other behaviour unless it is dangerous. Get rid of the cage.

🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄 more crate hate from the ignorant.

Mine has a crate, he goes in there of his own accord when he wants some peace, open door, full of pillows, blankets and teddies and he can nap in there undisturbed. The only time the door is closed is if we have any workmen in (he’s afraid of male strangers) for his safety and theirs. But he doesn’t mind the door being closed because he knows he’s safe in there. It’s not a cage 🥱

Back to OP, putting your hand in the crate was a silly mistake (we’ve all made those) and he defended what he sees as ‘his’ from a perceived intruder (you); he’s resource guarding and you need a behaviourist to fix this before it gets any worse. Back to puppy training basics for him, even if it means you need to have him on a lead in the house. He doesn’t go anywhere without your permission to do so; you feed him by hand for now so he knows you give food rather than take it away, and that only nice things come from your hands. Try not to shout at him as some dogs can’t cope with it, sounds like yours can’t. Re-teach the ‘off’ command with a clicker so he responds to that rather than voice, and add a hand signal also so he can’t miss the instruction even if he’s not listening.

My dog is a bit of a dick as well and he’s bitten me many times when he feels like he’s going to lose something he wants, but with a lot of hard work and training we’re now over a year without any biting at all.

healthadvice123 · 09/12/2022 13:41

@Elsiebear90 there seems to be lots of trainers around and seem to have different methods which is hard for owners
Behaviourist told us to shit out dog in a room as it would make him anxious having the whole house and he feels he has to defend us ? We didn't take that advice as he sleeps quite soundly at night and often takes himself upstairs to bed come 10 ish.
We had her as he did't like being touched on his back and she gave some ideas but not much has worked and he still isn't keen but will tolerate iT
So its hard for owners and I strongly believe not a one fit rule for all dogs .
I have a border collie but he is managed slightly different to or previous collies as hes a totally different character

healthadvice123 · 09/12/2022 13:41

* shut , no shitting

SumptiousSeaside · 10/12/2022 22:25

I have my own dog and we are very relaxed in terms of what she’s allowed to do (she can come on the sofa and the bed, she can have cuddles whenever she wants, she doesn’t have a crate and can go anywhere in the house etc) and are very affectionate with her and she has no aggression issues at all. So from my own experience I don’t personally believe being too affectionate and relaxed with a dog causes them to become aggressive.

But have you ever challenged your dogs position in your house? Your dog has no reason to come up against you because it is getting everything it wants with no barriers to that. If you told your dog to get off the bed and it refused, it could do so by simply staying put, by growling or by biting/mouthing. All dogs will react differently.

OP, your dog should come to you when you call it. You shouldn't shout at it as that is not calm and your dog probably doesn't respect you as it doesn't have many boundaries, making it stressy and anxious.

BeautifulDragon · 10/12/2022 22:39

I don't think you can have a dog with such poor bite inhibition around children.
As an adult you can choose to have a dog that's a bit of a dick and learn to manage their behaviour, having young children in the house changes things.

I don't think this is the right dog for your family.

GuyFawkesDay · 10/12/2022 22:52

Your dog is guardy and bitey as you're sending mixed messages.

Get a qualified behaviour specialist in to help you. Spaniels are so clever, you need to work with the way their brain works and you will get rapid change

Ricco12 · 10/12/2022 23:02

Neutering at 10 months is the issue

A male should be neutered before full mature at 2 years old.

It's causes fear and aggression.

Ricco12 · 10/12/2022 23:05

Shouldn't *

Sigma33 · 10/12/2022 23:24

WetBandits · 09/12/2022 12:18

🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄 more crate hate from the ignorant.

Mine has a crate, he goes in there of his own accord when he wants some peace, open door, full of pillows, blankets and teddies and he can nap in there undisturbed. The only time the door is closed is if we have any workmen in (he’s afraid of male strangers) for his safety and theirs. But he doesn’t mind the door being closed because he knows he’s safe in there. It’s not a cage 🥱

Back to OP, putting your hand in the crate was a silly mistake (we’ve all made those) and he defended what he sees as ‘his’ from a perceived intruder (you); he’s resource guarding and you need a behaviourist to fix this before it gets any worse. Back to puppy training basics for him, even if it means you need to have him on a lead in the house. He doesn’t go anywhere without your permission to do so; you feed him by hand for now so he knows you give food rather than take it away, and that only nice things come from your hands. Try not to shout at him as some dogs can’t cope with it, sounds like yours can’t. Re-teach the ‘off’ command with a clicker so he responds to that rather than voice, and add a hand signal also so he can’t miss the instruction even if he’s not listening.

My dog is a bit of a dick as well and he’s bitten me many times when he feels like he’s going to lose something he wants, but with a lot of hard work and training we’re now over a year without any biting at all.

Show quote history

DDog has her bed in a corner, under a table. She can retreat there whenever she wants, and we leave her alone. No need to put her in a cage to feel safe.

She has never bitten. She has occasionally growled, when she is snoozing and gets bothered for attention from DD. DD has taken the message, and DDog has taken herself off to her bed instead of the sofa.

Goawayangryman · 10/12/2022 23:30

Sorry to say I agree about neutering. Humping is absolutely normal behaviour. Our dog is a massive jumper, female.

But it's done now. I'd definitely get a trai er

Goawayangryman · 10/12/2022 23:31

*trainer round. Sorry, posted too soon.

He will need his confidence building up again and time to adjust to having no sex hormones.

cocktailclub · 10/12/2022 23:36

ZeldaWillTellYourFortune · 09/12/2022 07:20

Why are you shouting at him and cornering him in his cage instead of using gentle positive reinforcement????

Ffs rehome the poor thing.

Oh get over yourself
OP is clearly a responsible owner seeking advice

wickedstepmothfker · 11/12/2022 09:40

Alexandernevermind · 09/12/2022 07:09

Behaviourists have told me Cocker rage is a myth, its just an adjustment in the home that needs making.
Cockers are working breeds, so exercise needs to be for their brains as much as their bodies. Don't overdo the physical exercise at this age though, as his growth plate haven't fused properly.
Never go to a dog in his cage, it's his safe space. He has lashed out as he has been cornered in his cage and is on self defence.
Make sure he is getting plenty of naps and not becoming over tired.
Use voice instructions and positive training for commands, fetch, leave, bring, cage, are all basics for a gun dog that he will pick up really easily.

Echo this. With the addition of clicking and treats. If he thinks he’s getting something every time you ask him to come he’ll come every time. We have an old ESS (12) and still teaching her new tricks via food bribery 🤣

Sushi7 · 11/12/2022 09:49

Every time the dog has been aggressive, the crate has been involved. He was backed up into his crate and yet you stuck your hand in there, ignoring the signs that he felt threatened. Your dh used the crate as punishment and it sounds like he forced the dog into it. Again, ignoring the signs the dog felt threatened, he probably put his hands and the dog in the crate, resulting in him being bitten.

The dog sounds really anxious and fearful. If you and your dh don’t attend dog training sessions then the dog’s behaviour won’t improve. Luckily he is still a puppy so there’s a chance he (and you) will change.

XJerseyGirlX · 11/12/2022 10:17

I have 4 dogs , all very different personalities. 3 are lovely and I would be surprised if they ever bit me, but one will snap if cornered or getting a telling off.

Yours being only 11 months is still very young , still got lots of learning and training to do.

There is a difference between a attack and bite, if he / she are defending their space it's a lot different to if they attack you
for no reason.

dawngreen · 18/07/2023 08:33

And teach your dog the trading game, don't shout and snatch stuff off them. At that age your dog is still learning, and should have his own toys and space.

dawngreen · 18/07/2023 08:33

oops sorry just saw its a old thread

MangoItaliano · 18/07/2023 09:32

Elsiebear90 · 09/12/2022 08:36

My best friend’s dog is like this, but worse as it has escalated and he’s a cocker, I do think cocker rage is a thing. They’ve tried everything, vets, tests, multiple trainers and behavioural experts, nothing helps. They’re thinking they’re going to have to have him PTS unfortunately as he’s attacked multiple people and because of that can’t be rehomed.

I will say that they are quite dominant with the dog as well, very stern, sometimes shouting at him and he also gets aggressive when he’s told off and in his crate and approached, so I do wonder if the dog is like this because of how they have trained/treated him, however, the so called behavioural expert said they need to be even more strict and dominant to show the dog who is the leader 🙄 It’s not something I agree with, if anything I think he sounds anxious and scared, so needs more love and affection, but I’m a dog owner not an expert!

So they've fucked that dog up and now the dog will pay with its life.

It's not your fault but Christ Almighty - WHY the hell are people STILL getting a dog without understanding the first thing about them.

All those 'experts' are unqualified. I guarantee it. because anyone qualified would not be telling them to be stricter.

MangoItaliano · 18/07/2023 09:32

dawngreen · 18/07/2023 08:33

oops sorry just saw its a old thread

doh!

Original poster
Bitingspaniel · 18/07/2023 16:44

Hi! As I saw my old thread had been resurrected, I thought I'd give a quick update 😊

We got a behaviourist and she was INCREDIBLE. If anyone is looking for someone in West London, let me know. She spotted he was anxious and had some resource guarding issues and helped us overcome them gradually. It's not 100% perfect but it is so so so much better than things were last year.

He's absolutely fine around the kids now - I know there were a few comments about how I had to get rid of him immediately because of his biting, but I feel we all understand each other a lot more and he definitely isn't a risk with the kids.

Puppy life is hard! He is 18 months now and a completely different dog who we all adore.

Thanks everyone who gave good advice, I really appreciated it!

OP posts:
BarbiesManicurist · 18/07/2023 18:11

That's absolutely brilliant OP 👏

ArcticSkewer · 18/07/2023 18:24

Fabulous news xxx

AwkwardPaws27 · 18/07/2023 18:34

What a lovely update! Well done for addressing it, & changing your approach with the support of a behaviourist.

I almost posted to recommend our behaviourist (K9/10, East London) before reading your post. They've really helped with our 2.5 year old cocker who was also guarding stuff.

itsmyp4rty · 18/07/2023 18:40

Great news! I think you've also demonstrated the importance of getting a really good, properly qualified behaviourist because otherwise you can end with with a situation like the other posters best friend.
Vets are good for recommending someone properly qualified but anyone can call themselves a dog behaviourist even if they have no qualifications or experience.

EdithStourton · 18/07/2023 19:14

Wonderful news, OP.