We've had a cocker spaniel puppy for 4 weeks now (he's 12 weeks) and I'm getting worried about his biting - specifically jumping up and snapping at us.
I've read a lot about the biting phase with this breed and he certainly does that. We've had lots of nips and actual bites when he's got too carried away. We've had a dog trainer come to the house (for general training) and she told us to say 'bah' in a deep voice and then ignore him as she said that's what his mum would do. That doesn't work. Then a pet shop assistant told me to 'scream' and move away and that's had a bit more success.
However he seems to get these really crazy moments during the day when he seems out of control - and will jump up snapping and biting. He's ripped holes in all of our trousers doing this and also caused some nasty bites. The only thing that seems to calm him down is putting him in his crate to calm down for 10-15 minutes. He doesn't cry or make a fuss when he's in there but I don't want him to start associating the crate with punishment as he's so good at night and when he has naps in there. Plus, when he did this just now it was difficult to get hold of him without getting bitten.
Is this normal behaviour and what can we do about it?