Struggling with a puppy, need some help.
Discussion
So, we have a 5 month old Male Cocker Spaniel who the wife and I are starting to struggle with.
The main issues is he is quite aggressive, ranging from a playful but painful mouthing, which we initially put down to teething but doesn't seem to be getting any better, to displays of aggression towards the wife and I.
We have a 5 year old son, and my wife is getting stressed. She is around for the dog more than I due to her working part time and so takes a lead in ten care of the dog. Her concern is that the dogs behaviour will lead to the unthinkable happening, and to be fair, having an excited 5 year old charging about is hardly the recipe for a chilled puppy.
The wife, who has always had family dogs, is getting strained, and has spoken about "options" tonight.
I have managed to talk her out of these "options" because as far as I am concerned we made a commitment to the animal and let's face it, a cocker puppy was never going to be easy was it. I think if push came to shove she couldn't part with the dog, but I need to step up our efforts with him.
The main issue is the mouthing as he getting bigger and stronger, we have tried the bite repellents, but that does not dissuade him, I fact he ate one of the containers and its contents.
I am sure there is a good dog in there somewhere, and we have caused/prolonged this behaviour, so what can you guys suggest?
The main issues is he is quite aggressive, ranging from a playful but painful mouthing, which we initially put down to teething but doesn't seem to be getting any better, to displays of aggression towards the wife and I.
We have a 5 year old son, and my wife is getting stressed. She is around for the dog more than I due to her working part time and so takes a lead in ten care of the dog. Her concern is that the dogs behaviour will lead to the unthinkable happening, and to be fair, having an excited 5 year old charging about is hardly the recipe for a chilled puppy.
The wife, who has always had family dogs, is getting strained, and has spoken about "options" tonight.
I have managed to talk her out of these "options" because as far as I am concerned we made a commitment to the animal and let's face it, a cocker puppy was never going to be easy was it. I think if push came to shove she couldn't part with the dog, but I need to step up our efforts with him.
The main issue is the mouthing as he getting bigger and stronger, we have tried the bite repellents, but that does not dissuade him, I fact he ate one of the containers and its contents.
I am sure there is a good dog in there somewhere, and we have caused/prolonged this behaviour, so what can you guys suggest?
Don't get advice from here. A lot of it will be good, well meaning but eventually conflicting and confusing potentially worsening a problem.
I can't advise strongly enough to speak to your vet and find out if they have a professionally qualified, respected and trusted behaviourist. More important as aggression is involved and you have a child.
A good one will get you to have a vet assessment first to rule out any medical reason, they will then get you to fill out a detailed questionnaire. After this they may ask to visit the house or meet at a place they work from.
They will work out if it is fear aggression (most common type) whether he's confused about his role, whether being entire is a cause (sometimes chemical castration is advised as it is temporary, to see if that helps etc)
It won't be a quick turn around but he is young enough that it should be possible with commitment (and continuity of training) from all of you to and sort the issues out.
I can't advise strongly enough to speak to your vet and find out if they have a professionally qualified, respected and trusted behaviourist. More important as aggression is involved and you have a child.
A good one will get you to have a vet assessment first to rule out any medical reason, they will then get you to fill out a detailed questionnaire. After this they may ask to visit the house or meet at a place they work from.
They will work out if it is fear aggression (most common type) whether he's confused about his role, whether being entire is a cause (sometimes chemical castration is advised as it is temporary, to see if that helps etc)
It won't be a quick turn around but he is young enough that it should be possible with commitment (and continuity of training) from all of you to and sort the issues out.
Edited by bexVN on Friday 14th November 21:09
I'm no expert but our springer was also very mouthy (we have a 5 year old and the wife is a child minder). He's now almost 9 months and better although he still has the occasional nip when he wants to get attention as he knows it's not allowed.
We persevered with the squeal and ignoring him and eventually it started to have an effect, especially when he started losing his puppy teeth. We also have a child gate on the playroom so we could leave the room in a sense as part of the ignoring him.
He does get supercharged with 6 kids running around after school (and crashes as soon as they leave) but he's a million times better than he was 3 months ago.
He also gets about 2 hours of walks per day with about half of that, at least, off lead and plenty of mental activities and training.
Now, if only I can get him to stop peeing like a girl then we'll be getting somewhere.
We persevered with the squeal and ignoring him and eventually it started to have an effect, especially when he started losing his puppy teeth. We also have a child gate on the playroom so we could leave the room in a sense as part of the ignoring him.
He does get supercharged with 6 kids running around after school (and crashes as soon as they leave) but he's a million times better than he was 3 months ago.
He also gets about 2 hours of walks per day with about half of that, at least, off lead and plenty of mental activities and training.
Now, if only I can get him to stop peeing like a girl then we'll be getting somewhere.
At 5 months he is still a puppy so will still be teething. Have you given him lots of different things of varying textures etc to gnaw on (old tea towl knotted up, puppy kong etc) - take the focus of chewing off you and on to something else.
I'm no expert, but I would imagine that the growling is him trying to work out where in the pack he fits - some proper behavioural advice from a local dog trainer would be my first port of call.
I'm no expert, but I would imagine that the growling is him trying to work out where in the pack he fits - some proper behavioural advice from a local dog trainer would be my first port of call.
Jasandjules said:
How much stimulation is he getting? What does his breeder say?
So when you say Ow really loudly, he just carries on biting? Have you withdrawn and ignored him for a minute?
This, also think about having a garden sprayer filled with water, say no bite and spray the dog in the face, this worked a treat with ours.So when you say Ow really loudly, he just carries on biting? Have you withdrawn and ignored him for a minute?
I would seek out a reputable dog trainer in your area, you will get training and an idea how to carry on for peanuts.
The spray will be good in a dog that doesn't have a growling issue. If the growling is fear response, the water spray may help break the play biting but increase the fear response growls. As mentioned re finding his place a pup shouldn't resort to growling to do this unless something is going wrong with the training so far forcing the pup into it.
As has been mentioned by others and me seek professional help. No one can really give safe reliable advice on this topic esp if they don't know the dog or scenarios etc.
As has been mentioned by others and me seek professional help. No one can really give safe reliable advice on this topic esp if they don't know the dog or scenarios etc.
I take it you know about cocker rage? http://www.thecockerspanielclub.co.uk/rage_syndrom...
What food does he get? Something better (which to me is raw) might also calm him down a little.
When does he show aggression? Over food? Beds?
What food does he get? Something better (which to me is raw) might also calm him down a little.
When does he show aggression? Over food? Beds?
Cocker rage is very uncommon these days I'm glad to say, usually only affected red cookers and didn't become apparent til about 3yrs old.
I haven't seen a case for years (not saying it doesn't still occur obviously) and yet I did see a few cases in my earlier years. Would not be looking at this yet, don't want to scare the P but being aware can't hurt to be aware I suppose!
I haven't seen a case for years (not saying it doesn't still occur obviously) and yet I did see a few cases in my earlier years. Would not be looking at this yet, don't want to scare the P but being aware can't hurt to be aware I suppose!
We had two separate behaviourists in to see our Cocker. Find a reccomended one.
By far the biggest change in him came from his diet. What are you feeding him? Changing ours from Bakers (yes, we know now) to a good quality food like Burns was like flicking a switch, a night and day difference in his behaviour.
Good luck and stick at it. Ours is in a ball on the sofa next to me, just turned 4 and a half and we couldn't be without him.
By far the biggest change in him came from his diet. What are you feeding him? Changing ours from Bakers (yes, we know now) to a good quality food like Burns was like flicking a switch, a night and day difference in his behaviour.
Good luck and stick at it. Ours is in a ball on the sofa next to me, just turned 4 and a half and we couldn't be without him.
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