8 Week Old English Springer Spaniel Crying and very attached ?

by Ross
(Newport, South Wales)

Charlie

Hello, I picked my English Springer Spaniel, Charlie, up on Wednesday (17/08/2011). When I went to visit them and chose him, ours was the shy one, he wasn't really as playful as the others and seemed a bit of an outcast. Maybe thats why I chose him as I felt sorry for him.

Anyway, we have to keep him in a crate downstairs in the house as out house is open plan we have knowhere to lock him to, so he could rome the whole house. Cream carpets and puppy mess dont go well.

He's been in the Crate 3 nights now and cried for about 3 quarters of an hour each night sometimes longer, we have shut the doors upstairs to quieten it down a little as we all work during the day except my mum. The cries go from crying to howling and he sounds quite distressed, We have left him toys, a little light on, the radio and blankets etc. Is this normal for him to do and I know every dog is different but roughly how long does this last, Hows best to make him learn that its his bed and he needs to stay their when where out and overnight ?

He is also very attached when out of the crate, he follows me everywhere and when I'm not around who ever is he will follow, And he constantly nips and bites, sometimes to hard, I try to tell him no and am very firm but he just wags his tail and carries on. Hows best to prevent the nipping/biting ?

I know its early days as hes only 8 weeks but i want the best start for him.
Thanks
Ross

From Anna@love-springer-spaniels.com

Hi Ross
Welcome to the world of puppydom, we are currently going through the same with our new addition Fidget.

First the crying is hard to ignore, but you must otherwise they will never learn to be independent. As harsh as it sound you have to remind yourself that he is only and animal not a baby and it will pass.

As for the following round, yes I know that is grating, but use his desire to lease to your advantage, start training and doing things with him, but remeber you decide when to give him attention, it has to be on your terms, only a more dominant dog can demand attention.

As for the puppy nipping, its tough but normal behaviour that they will grow out of, check out my guide to Springer Puppy Biting that should help you transition out of this phase with no long term behavioural issues.

Good luck oh and he is very cute,

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Aug 25, 2011
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Snapping
by: Ross

Thanks for the response, Won't be giving up that easy, went to see a friends dad, they have got 2 springers and the dog use to do it when he was a pup. Something that im finding is working well with Charlie is what he taught me. When they start to bite you make a fist and put it in front of their mouth and say NO in a firm voice. Then open you hand and cover the face of the dog not actually touching them and again reinforce NO or SIT . His dogs are taught to sit and stay with the command UP. It seems to work very well. It must be the fist and then covering their face that stops it. How he taught the dog to stay and sit is by pushing firmly on their bum and again opening the hand in front of their face. Works effectivley and the dog was staying within 10 minutes. Not for a great period but he understood what he had to do. I will let you know how i get on, Charlie was 9 Weeks on Wednesday (24/08/11) and is settling into the house well.

Aug 25, 2011
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Crying Springer
by: Anonymous

Please do not give up as we went through a really bad stage with George, we did seriously think about re-homing him because he gave my daughter such a hard time and snapped and just seemed to be so aggressive sometimes, I believe that with Springers they are so intelligent, they need to have a firm hand as in someone who they see as their master and have rules. George is wonderful now and we really feel like we have come out the other side with him, he still has his moments. We were advised by a dog trainer to have a small lead permantley attached to him so that when he is being annoying and snappy we can grab the lead and lead him out of the room, we put him in his bed in the hallway and shut the door, he use to really hate this and bark and cry but we ignored him. Now he makes no noise, sits out their when he has been naughty with his head low. Since we have been firm with him he seems alot better. Remember he is a puppy and he is ful of fun and just wants to play and does not mean to hurt. Tell you neice not to sit on the floor with him and always been above him so he knows who the master is. I know this sounds a bit harsh, but it does really work. Play with him when you want to and not when they demand.
Springers are great, will always be loyal, make fantastic playmates for kids and are lovely to cuddle when home alone.. you just have to get through those tough super puppy stages. Good luck and don't give Up

Aug 24, 2011
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Biting/Nipping is Worse ?
by: Ross

Ok little bit more advice needed, He is now getting alot worse, He has bit me on the back of the leg causing cuts and also bit my niece on the back of her leg, It dosn't help that she runs and starts getting all excited when he nibbles her. The "Ignoring and Walking away" Technique does not work, he just bounces round your feet and nips at your legs and will not give in, Even raising my voice he wont stop. He would not let go of my toe earlier and went for my face i know it sounds bad but i had to give to slap him on the bum to make him stop me and put him outside for 10 minutes. Hows best to stop this NOW ? Even replacing it with a toy he last 2 minutes with as he will sit at my feet then notice my feet or legs and go for them.

Aug 24, 2011
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getting through the puppy stages
by: Georgepickles

I agree with the other springer owners, he is very young and feeling very anxious away from his mother. We got our Springer George when he was 12 weeks old, he went straight in the crate at night time and we had no crying. He would cry more if we put him in his crate during the day and we were about. George is now 19 months and we have had some real ups and downs with him but he is a great dog and a loyal friend to us all. He adores my children and it is lovely watching them over the forest together.
George use to really nip and bite the kids, not to be horrible he just treated them like they were his brothers and sisters but we got through it, lots of holes in clothes and scratches and now he does'nt do it.
Springers are wonderful. we are so proud to own him.

Aug 23, 2011
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Thanks
by: Ross

Thanks for the advice guys, the crying is getting lesser every night and he voluntary goes in his crate when no ones around for a sleep. He is starting to explore on his own now and will leave you in the garden to go exploring on the grass. Not so attached, The nipping and biting is however getting worse, Trying to ignore him and walking off dosn't work he just chases your feet and legs. I try not to laugh but can help it watching him bounce around.

Aug 23, 2011
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Just love your puppy!
by: Andie's companion

I believe in spoiling puppies-- take this little one with you everywhere. Be overjoyed he follows you, even into the bathroom :)! Andie is approaching 15, rarely takes her eyes off me- and I've loved having her as my best friend all these years. You'll never find a truer friend- forget boundaries, just love your puppy. Our Hallie was with us for almost 17 years; there is no better friend than a Springer.

Aug 23, 2011
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Puppies
by: Anonymous

Ours litters don't leave until they are between 10 & 12 weeks and I always keep in contact once they have gone. This little chap has left the comfort of his sublings & mother. Try a ticking clock wrapped in something that smells of you for him to snuggle at night. As for following you.....you are pack leader. Show him what you want/expect from him. Never too early to start putting boundries in place.
Good luck & enjoy your new addition.

Aug 23, 2011
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puppy
by: Anonymous

he is only a baby,separated from his mother and siblings,our litter of pups didnt go till they were at least 12 weeks old,had contact with their new owners ,and when the time came settled in with hardly any issues..
give him time de

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