Aggressive Springer Spaniel

by Linda
(Greenbush, VA )

Is it common in a Springer Spaniel to be aggressive with its owner? Mine is a 1 1/2 year old male English Springer Spaniel and has bitten me twice and lunged at me a couple of times in the past 3 days. I don't know what to do.

From Anna@love-springer-spaniels

Hi Linda
You must show him that you are the pack leader and he must submit to your commands.

It sounds a though he thinks he is the leader and you must take command and show him his place the pack or he will always do it. It may sound harsh but you must be firm and once he knows his place he should be much better. Don`t back down from him. All the details of what you need to do are listed in the link attached, good luck

Return to Love Springer Spaniels FAQs
Return to Love Springer Spaniels Homepage

Comments for
Aggressive Springer Spaniel

Average Rating

Click here to add your own comments

Jan 10, 2012
Rating

my springer NEW
by: Anonymous

my springer is 7 know and over the last cople of months he is getting very agresive he snarills all the time he is fine with my 2 eldist but growels alot at my youngest some days u cant even speak 2 him or walk by him gettin worried will i have 2 put him down

Jul 14, 2011
Rating

ALPHA ROLL- BAD for you and dog
by: Annieb51

To the October '09 poster, what you did was called an ALPHA ROLL. This is a very dangerous thing to do ad is no longer used anywhere in training classes. You flip a dog on Its back and it gets scared, you can lose your FACE to him/her! We have raised 2 sets of Springers, out of the 4, one of my females had a bit of a nasty temper. We think it came from her Mom, as she was aggressive when picking out the pups. We worked with Bailey by VOICE only, and eventually she turned into a great dog! She literally has more compassion than the other 3 dogs. She loves everyone, and no one would ever expect that she ever had a problem. At 11 now, she can get cranky and soft-growl when you try to move her, but I also softly say NO back to her, wait a couple seconds and then a bit louder tell HER to MOVE. She moves, end of story. Again, DO NOT EVER alpha roll a dog unless you want an ER bill and many stitches, dogs feel vulnerable on their backs. You can reach behind their necks, grab them by the scruff of their neck and loudly say NO, that sometimes works. But, this way you keep your hand where the dog cannot bite you. Besides, how would you lime it if someone nastily rolled you or your back?? Think about it!!!!!

Jul 08, 2011
Rating

Worst Springer Ever
by: Anonymous

I had a springer spaniel and lab mix. He had major aggression issues with everyone outside the immediate family. We finally had to put him down last week. He would destroy everything, urinate, chase dogs and people, and has bitten a family member. He could get out of chainlink kennels,jump fences, open dead bolted doors and even unlock and open windows and jump out.My neigbors were terrified....and I had tried everything, but he was to determined for me so in the end I know this needed to be done. :(

Oct 11, 2009
Rating

Agreessive behavior
by: Anonymous

If you ever have a chance to watch videos on Wolves or Coyotes watch how a pack leader controls the pack.

He will actual place the animal to be controlled on his back and hold him/her until the aggression stops.

I myself have done this with a foster I had. He was very aggressive towards my Springer Spaniel and when he started to go for him I yelled no at him and flipped him on his back and with my hand on his chest held him in that position until he got the message.

I had to do this twice and after the second time he realized that I was the pack leader and never had another problem with him.

May 31, 2009
Rating

reply to aggressive spaniel
by: Anonymous

We have a rescue springer spaniel - our first foster that we got in April, 2007.

He had aggression issues, I got bit, and he'd get in this weird stare, didn't want to obey, and would come after me. I was determined to see him over this hurdle.

I did, and he is the most awesome springer spaniel we've ever had! You have to make sure you are boss, and you have to make him obey. The night Sammy submitted to me he got that hard stare look, and I told him to sit! (I couldn't think of anything else!) At first he didn't want to, but I repeated it a couple of times and I did raise my voice in a command-like.

Slowly, he sat, and bowed his head. I cried, but that was basically the end of it. Every now and then, we test him, to make sure he remembers who is in charge.

There is tons of information out there, but try the Springer Spaniel Pack page

May 26, 2009
Rating

Seek vet advice straight away
by: Anna

With an issue as serious as this I would suggest that you seek the advice of a vet immediately, its not worth the risk to you or those around you.

For the record any of the Springer Spaniels I have owned have not been like that but I do know of one Springer that has bitten its owner and they had to put him down as it was not worth the risk.

Good Luck, I am sorry I cannot give you more direct advice

Click here to add your own comments

Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How?
Simply click here to return to Springer Spaniels FAQs