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Re: aggressive cocker spaniel puppy

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Posted by mrmeathead on March 31, 2002 at 16:15:20:

In Reply to: aggressive cocker spaniel puppy posted by Rachel Jones on February 16, 2002 at 21:38:00:

Hi, I know that I am responding late to this query, but let me cut/paste my answer to another person who went through the very same problem you are.. in the Bull Terrier forum....which boils down to some behavioral problems that can occur when someone aquires a puppy before the age of 7-9 weeks. Hope it helps! - Teresa

You got this pup when she was 5 weeks!!! Not putting any blame on you..but she shouldn't have left her mom and littermates until 8 weeks!!!..all blame is on the breeder. Beginning at the age of 4-5 weeks...pups learn very important lessions on how to act properly. Like how NOT to play too rough, to respect authority, bite inhibitation, etc. They also go through an extreamly important fear impression stage from ages 5wks to 12wks...anything scary that happens to them at that time, will stay with them for the rest of their lives. Pups learn that when they are playing with siblings and they bite too hard and they hurt the other pup..that the bitee will yelp and/or bite back...letting the biter know they went too far. If the bitee is the Mom then she will growl or snap at the bitee telling it that it's gone too far. Teaching it self control. The Mom sometimes will hold the pup by the scruff of its neck or mouth/bite the top of its muzzle...letting the lower dog know that She is boss.

Since your little girl was not given the opportunately to lean these lessions from her Mom/siblings. YOU get the job of teaching her these important lessions. 1st of all, lets talking about her biting. (Like I said) If she was playing with another puppy and bit it too hard..the bitee would yelp... Next time she is biting (and this includes everything from mouthing to out and out chomping on you) Each and every time she BITES HARD You..YELP!!! Yell out the word "OUCH"!!! Act as if it really "hurt". DO NOT grab her muzzle, do NOT slap her..just YELP! You will find that she will be starlted and stop what she is doing. Even if it's for a Nano-second. You also want to remove the item of your body that was just bit with the attitude of "I don't like you anymore..that hurt!" The instant she stops give her something 'proper' to chew on and quietly praise her. **do not get too happy in your praising cause she'll prolly just get all excited and bite you again - just say a quiet "good girl"** However, if she bites you again...YELP again. If she gets too excited then either remove her from the area and crate her for a "time out" or remove yourself from the area...letting her know that if she behaves badly that the game is OVER.

Once she learns that biting HARD hurts...then teach her that biting MEDIUM hurts...buy acting the same way, ie: YELPING. When she learns that lession...then biting SOFT will now "Hurt"...graduating to biting on CLOTHES will now "hurt"...and so forth. SHE doesn't know that it really doesn't hurt you... But, if you follow that kind of pattern...you'll be amazed on how quickly she'll catch on!!!! (You will also get a lot of funnly looks from the neighbors)

Ok...now on to her "temper". If you do ANYTHING to her and she growls and/or bites you...it is now time for you to act like "MOM DOG"... It is VERY IMPORTANT for her to learn NOW that BITING AND GROWLING AT PEOPLE IS WRONG!!! Because any bad habits she learns now..as a young pup...WILL ONLY GET WORSE WHEN SHE GETS OLDER!!! And that goes for "protesting" when she gets picked up - to trimming her toe nails. So, next time you pick her up and she growl or snaps at you...tell her "NO" or "NO BITE" in a Very "Evil Growly Voice" Take hold of the scruff of her neck and give her a short, sharp squeeze. You are NOT shaking her (like a terrier does to a rat)..you are just letting her know...that what she is doing is wrong. Not bad...just "wrong". If she is a normal pup..she will prolly "SCREAM HER HEAD OFF" That is her way of crying "UNCLE". Continue what you were doing with her before. DO NOT PUT HER DOWN!! Because that is what she wants you to do in the first place. She has to learn self-control. If she continues to growl or bite you..then tell her "NO" again and "Scruff" her again...this time a little harder and add a small "shake" to the squeeze. If she yelps again...ignore it and continue as with before. Until she relaxes and/or stops protesting. THEN you can put her down. DO NOT put her down UNTIL SHE GIVES IN. Because she will learn that if she bites or growls or cries she will get (edventually) what she wants. And NOBODY wants a 60# Pit Bull (or any breed of dog) snaping or growling at them for doing ANYTHING the dog doesn't like.
You also want her to get used to having her feet/ears/teeth/mouth looked at, handled...etc. You do that by handling her feet, ie: picking them up, spreading her toes, playing with her toenails, etc. Do it in all positions...standing, sitting, lying down, lying on her side and over on her back, etc. You will never know when she will need to have a foot or leg examined and all the work that you do now...will really pay off in the vets office. IF SHE JERKS HER FOOT AWAY/MOUTHS/BITES/or YELPS...remember DO NOT LET GOT OF HER FOOT. For that is what she wants you to do! Don't play "tug of war" with her...you'll just hurt or scare her. If she pulls away...move with her leg until she learns that you are just not going to let go, so she should just "Shut up and Put up". If she BITES you...grab hold of her muzzle (to stop the biting) and tell her "NO!" If you've lost your hold on her foot/leg...pick it up again. Continue until she gives up. You also want to give her lots of (Calm) PRAISE and TREATS for allowing you to handle her without her protesting. ALWAYS end on a POSITIVE NOTE and NEVER end it with her winning...for she'll just remember to bite or struggle that much harder next time. ((**If she is yelping...put cotton in your ears and ignore her - once she learns that THAT won't get her anywhere - she'll stop**))

Continue such in the same manner in teaching her to accept being handled on all parts of her body and you will be amazed on how nice of a dog she'll grow into!!! REMEMBER she is only a puppy...a baby. She was taken too early from her Mom and you now have to teach her right from wrong. ALSO...look at her as a DOG not as a "PIT BULL" for she is just a DOG. She is not going to grow up into a monster that can "unhinge her jaws(like a snake)" "lock her jaws" "turn on you and rip your arm off when she turns the age of 7yrs"..etc...etc..etc. She is just a DOG!! Shoot! If I had that mentality... I would be in a lot of trouble a LONG time ago...for I have 1- 9 1/2yr. Bull Terrier-m/ 1- 8yr AmStaff Terrier-f & 2- 3 1/2yr Pit Bull girls. AND I do NOT have an aggression problem. ((**I have an "old man" and his "harem"**))

Any more questions...feel free to email me at: hobbiton55@hotmail.com.
Teresa

: Hi, all! I have a 7 week old pit bull(I've owned her for 2 weeks now)and I would love some advice!! I want her to be a kind, loving dog who wouldn't harm anything unless it was harming me or our family. There is one major thing I have a question about. She has a temper sometimes. If someone picks her up and she doesn't want to be held at that time, she will growl and bite. And she does that when she's playing sometimes, too. Will she grow out of it? How can I train her not to do that? I would appreciate anything you all can tell me, I have never owned a puppy, let alone a pit bull puppy. Please email me w/responses

: I recently acquired a 5 week-old Cocker Spaniel puppy (out of an abandoned litter) and he has developed some strange behaviors. He has started growling ferociously and even snapping and biting at anyone who tries to play with him, or just make him do anything in general that wasn't his idea. He definitely has a dominate personality, and I've read some books that recommended growling and snapping back at him, but this just makes him worse. I'm guessing he wasn't with his mother long enough to be disciplined by her, so he is threatened by my growling in an attempt to correct his behavior. I would really appreciate some advice, nobody seems to be able to help!
: Thank you - Rachel Jones

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: Hi, I know that I am responding late to this query, but let me cut/paste my answer to another person who went through the very same problem you are.. in the Bull Terrier forum....which boils down to some behavioral problems that can occur when someone aquires a puppy before the age of 7-9 weeks. Hope it helps! - Teresa : You got this pup when she was 5 weeks!!! Not putting any blame on you..but she shouldn't have left her mom and littermates until 8 weeks!!!..all blame is on the breeder. Beginning at the age of 4-5 weeks...pups learn very important lessions on how to act properly. Like how NOT to play too rough, to respect authority, bite inhibitation, etc. They also go through an extreamly important fear impression stage from ages 5wks to 12wks...anything scary that happens to them at that time, will stay with them for the rest of their lives. Pups learn that when they are playing with siblings and they bite too hard and they hurt the other pup..that the bitee will yelp and/or bite back...letting the biter know they went too far. If the bitee is the Mom then she will growl or snap at the bitee telling it that it's gone too far. Teaching it self control. The Mom sometimes will hold the pup by the scruff of its neck or mouth/bite the top of its muzzle...letting the lower dog know that She is boss. : Since your little girl was not given the opportunately to lean these lessions from her Mom/siblings. YOU get the job of teaching her these important lessions. 1st of all, lets talking about her biting. (Like I said) If she was playing with another puppy and bit it too hard..the bitee would yelp... Next time she is biting (and this includes everything from mouthing to out and out chomping on you) Each and every time she BITES HARD You..YELP!!! Yell out the word "OUCH"!!! Act as if it really "hurt". DO NOT grab her muzzle, do NOT slap her..just YELP! You will find that she will be starlted and stop what she is doing. Even if it's for a Nano-second. You also want to remove the item of your body that was just bit with the attitude of "I don't like you anymore..that hurt!" The instant she stops give her something 'proper' to chew on and quietly praise her. **do not get too happy in your praising cause she'll prolly just get all excited and bite you again - just say a quiet "good girl"** However, if she bites you again...YELP again. If she gets too excited then either remove her from the area and crate her for a "time out" or remove yourself from the area...letting her know that if she behaves badly that the game is OVER. : Once she learns that biting HARD hurts...then teach her that biting MEDIUM hurts...buy acting the same way, ie: YELPING. When she learns that lession...then biting SOFT will now "Hurt"...graduating to biting on CLOTHES will now "hurt"...and so forth. SHE doesn't know that it really doesn't hurt you... But, if you follow that kind of pattern...you'll be amazed on how quickly she'll catch on!!!! (You will also get a lot of funnly looks from the neighbors) : Ok...now on to her "temper". If you do ANYTHING to her and she growls and/or bites you...it is now time for you to act like "MOM DOG"... It is VERY IMPORTANT for her to learn NOW that BITING AND GROWLING AT PEOPLE IS WRONG!!! Because any bad habits she learns now..as a young pup...WILL ONLY GET WORSE WHEN SHE GETS OLDER!!! And that goes for "protesting" when she gets picked up - to trimming her toe nails. So, next time you pick her up and she growl or snaps at you...tell her "NO" or "NO BITE" in a Very "Evil Growly Voice" Take hold of the scruff of her neck and give her a short, sharp squeeze. You are NOT shaking her (like a terrier does to a rat)..you are just letting her know...that what she is doing is wrong. Not bad...just "wrong". If she is a normal pup..she will prolly "SCREAM HER HEAD OFF" That is her way of crying "UNCLE". Continue what you were doing with her before. DO NOT PUT HER DOWN!! Because that is what she wants you to do in the first place. She has to learn self-control. If she continues to growl or bite you..then tell her "NO" again and "Scruff" her again...this time a little harder and add a small "shake" to the squeeze. If she yelps again...ignore it and continue as with before. Until she relaxes and/or stops protesting. THEN you can put her down. DO NOT put her down UNTIL SHE GIVES IN. Because she will learn that if she bites or growls or cries she will get (edventually) what she wants. And NOBODY wants a 60# Pit Bull (or any breed of dog) snaping or growling at them for doing ANYTHING the dog doesn't like. : You also want her to get used to having her feet/ears/teeth/mouth looked at, handled...etc. You do that by handling her feet, ie: picking them up, spreading her toes, playing with her toenails, etc. Do it in all positions...standing, sitting, lying down, lying on her side and over on her back, etc. You will never know when she will need to have a foot or leg examined and all the work that you do now...will really pay off in the vets office. IF SHE JERKS HER FOOT AWAY/MOUTHS/BITES/or YELPS...remember DO NOT LET GOT OF HER FOOT. For that is what she wants you to do! Don't play "tug of war" with her...you'll just hurt or scare her. If she pulls away...move with her leg until she learns that you are just not going to let go, so she should just "Shut up and Put up". If she BITES you...grab hold of her muzzle (to stop the biting) and tell her "NO!" If you've lost your hold on her foot/leg...pick it up again. Continue until she gives up. You also want to give her lots of (Calm) PRAISE and TREATS for allowing you to handle her without her protesting. ALWAYS end on a POSITIVE NOTE and NEVER end it with her winning...for she'll just remember to bite or struggle that much harder next time. ((**If she is yelping...put cotton in your ears and ignore her - once she learns that THAT won't get her anywhere - she'll stop**)) : Continue such in the same manner in teaching her to accept being handled on all parts of her body and you will be amazed on how nice of a dog she'll grow into!!! REMEMBER she is only a puppy...a baby. She was taken too early from her Mom and you now have to teach her right from wrong. ALSO...look at her as a DOG not as a "PIT BULL" for she is just a DOG. She is not going to grow up into a monster that can "unhinge her jaws(like a snake)" "lock her jaws" "turn on you and rip your arm off when she turns the age of 7yrs"..etc...etc..etc. She is just a DOG!! Shoot! If I had that mentality... I would be in a lot of trouble a LONG time ago...for I have 1- 9 1/2yr. Bull Terrier-m/ 1- 8yr AmStaff Terrier-f & 2- 3 1/2yr Pit Bull girls. AND I do NOT have an aggression problem. ((**I have an "old man" and his "harem"**)) : Any more questions...feel free to email me at: hobbiton55@hotmail.com. : Teresa : : Hi, all! I have a 7 week old pit bull(I've owned her for 2 weeks now)and I would love some advice!! I want her to be a kind, loving dog who wouldn't harm anything unless it was harming me or our family. There is one major thing I have a question about. She has a temper sometimes. If someone picks her up and she doesn't want to be held at that time, she will growl and bite. And she does that when she's playing sometimes, too. Will she grow out of it? How can I train her not to do that? I would appreciate anything you all can tell me, I have never owned a puppy, let alone a pit bull puppy. Please email me w/responses : : I recently acquired a 5 week-old Cocker Spaniel puppy (out of an abandoned litter) and he has developed some strange behaviors. He has started growling ferociously and even snapping and biting at anyone who tries to play with him, or just make him do anything in general that wasn't his idea. He definitely has a dominate personality, and I've read some books that recommended growling and snapping back at him, but this just makes him worse. I'm guessing he wasn't with his mother long enough to be disciplined by her, so he is threatened by my growling in an attempt to correct his behavior. I would really appreciate some advice, nobody seems to be able to help! : : Thank you - Rachel Jones

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