Crying and biting Springer Spaniel puppy?

by Luke

Hi there,

I recently (a week ago today, in fact) picked up my English Springer Spaniel puppy, Ollie, from his breeder who we had been in contact with for a month previously.

I've read around online a lot and it seems that all puppies cry the first few nights they are away from their litter mates, but Ollie is still doing it. For the first six days we let him sleep on a little bed downstairs (though he never did, and ended up on the staircase outside the child gate), then yesterday we bought him a crate because he was practically screaming the house down and my dad (being a big old softy) couldn't resist going downstairs to comfort him (this is obviously counter productive to making the crying stop in the long run).

So last night he was crated in my bedroom, and I had to get up every two hours because he would wake up whimpering. I gave him a drink each time, took him outside to the toilet (he's progressing well with house training) and then had to sit with a boisterous puppy for 20+ minutes until he fell asleep and I could crate him again.

I just wanted to know when I can expect him to start being more independent and to sleep through without whimpering? We've tried everything to comfort him; even the old ticking-clock and hot water bottle tricks, but nothing helps.

Also, opinions on crating a Springer? I literally just read somewhere a few minutes ago that they don't like kennel environments, and I wondered if a crate qualifies. Also should the crate only be used with him through puppy-hood, and swapped for his former bed when he is older?

Ah, another thing; he has a soft teddy, a soft squeaking toy, a pull rope, a ball and several blankets and even a slipper (this made me laugh), but he keeps biting at peoples feet, hands, clothes and even their faces. Anything I can do?

Thank you in advance!

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Crying and biting Springer Spaniel puppy?

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Aug 29, 2011
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Whining springer puppy
by: Anonymous

Hi I have a 4 month old springer. When we originally got him he would whine a bit in his crate but we ignored him and if it got worst shouted no, seemed a bit harsh at the time but it wasn't like he wasn't getting attention at other times! He is now great, loves his crate and only whines in it if he thinks he's missing out in something!lol I would try and keep going with it!

Aug 12, 2011
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My puppy
by: Claudia

I have bought a ess she is 10 weeks old, I can't wait for her to start weeing and pooing outside, I have put her in the crate, she crys for a while but eventually she calms down for a bit that's only when she can see me.. When I have left the room she starts to cry what can I do to stop this from happening? Also she has had her second injection and is ready to be walked on Sunday how long should I walk her as I don't want to strain her joints as she Is only a baby. I have always had cavalier king Charles but I wanted a change. She is very scared, frigtened of everything as when we bourght her she slept outside in kennel with mumShe is abit of a handful at the mo.... Will she get better?

Aug 12, 2011
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May 19, 2011
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scared springer
by: Anonymous

ive had my springer a week shes so scared doesnt like men skin and bone and come from a bad home dont know what they did to her just glad ive got her and glad i reported the other 2 puppys where ollie came from reading every ones storys cant wait to start training ollie ive just give her some time to get use to the family got 2 young daughers who love her to bits but ollie cant wait for them to go to bed so shes got me all to herself bless her shes like my shadow cant even go for a wee without her trying to sit on my lap shes got a play mate aswell my sisters dog a stafy they get on great she going a bit crazy latley chasing shadows had calming coller on and did the trick need to order another they only last 4 weeks same to see her confused.

Jan 02, 2011
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Crating puppy
by: Becky

We have a 4 1/2 month old ESS, we crated him from the start, but made it a nice place to be, toys, water, and a treat when he had to go into it. Before long when he was tired he'd take himself to sleep in there. We had a problem with waking up for about 5 nights, we got into a routine very quickly of taking him for a wee before we put him down to sleep. After that we never had a problem. Just recently he upgraded to the kitchen and has been as good as gold. We've taken the crate away completely.
With regards biting, this is really just a puppy thing and he will grow out of it but giving him a teething toy is good. Our boy is walked twice a day and we do stimulating training for 5 mins a day, the sit and stay command and leave it command.
He's going to puppy school the end of jan shocker are all excited about.
Play with him lots and get him into a routine and you should hopefully find he calms down. Ours is out cold right now as he went on a walk in the woods earlier and is shattered.
Good luck

Jan 02, 2011
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Dec 08, 2010
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Crate training and biting
by: Anonymous

Hi i have a 13 wk old springer pup called Charlie, we had him in a crate from day 1, first night we put him in he howled like mad so my bf slept on the sofa with the crate nxt to him second night he was in the kitchen and we heard him cry in the night once, after that he was fine. Im also trying to deal with the biting, that is my major issue im trying to sort out, i know its a puppy thing and most pups do it but ive read that if they mix with other dogs and pups it helps, ive been trying to get him to puppy class but with the bad snow in our area i couldnt take him to his puppy party last week, i was gutted, id been looking forward to taking him there since i got him, this week is also cancelled so ive got to wait till next week, i have 2 small children to keep out of the way as well but i have set up a puppy pen in the kitchen and he goes in there when hes getting out of hand which is quite a lot at the minute, he gets 2 walks a day most days but with the snow i cant get out with the buggy so if my mums round he gets 2 walks if not i take him out at night. The puppy pen has been a god send to say the least! Cant wait for him to stop nipping and i can have him out all the time and can have cuddles with him without getting nipped!!!!

Dec 08, 2010
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Crying and biting Springer Spaniel puppy?
by: Cathy

Let me begin by saying I have nothing against crate training and think it is great for anyone who wants to use it.

Now I will tell you about my springer pup. I got him 9 years ago at 8 weeks old. At my 11 pm bedtime I took him outside to wee. Then I put him on the foot of my bed and he went to sleep. As I was so excited to have him, I stayed awake looking at him. At 2 am I woke him up and took him out to wee again. I took him back to bed and we both went to spleep. Others in the house chided me for waking him up in the middle of the night to wee. So the next night I didn't. He slept through the night, 11 pm to 6 am, not a drop of wee or a wimper, and has ever since. If there is a lightning storm he prefers the bathtub where there is no windows and less sound. This started one fourth of July during fireworks when he went crazy. Since it was my bath time, I took him in the bathroom with me (not the tub!) and I had a longer than usual bath and read and hot toddy, and he slept quietly. Now whenever there are fireworks or lightning, he asks to go in there, and doesn't mind if I do or not.

As for the biting and those sharp puppy teeth. Don't pet his head, scratch his back. I always told people that I was pruning the roses, I was too embarrassed to tell them that my pup was responsible for all those bloody scratches on my hand. It really does go away by the time he is 6 mos and the puppy teeth fall out. Until then you just have to be stern with him, and make sure the kids always have a wound up towel in their hands when they play with him. No tug of war, either!

Dec 08, 2010
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Crating
by: JBL

We crated our springer for about 5 minutes...He screamed the place down for 2 weeks and continued until he was potty trained. We took the crate away soone after that and he is now 2 and we have never looked back. He loves his bed or ours. He has never given us any problems not being crated and is left alone all day while we work.

Dec 08, 2010
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Crating Puppy
by: Michele

Crating is a great idea for your puppy. As they get used to the idea you will find that his crate is where he voluntarily goes when he's tired or scared. I have 2 Springers, both crate trained. My first Springer took to the crate from day one. My 2nd one had to be convinced she would like it! This took a few weeks, but now she willingly goes to her crate as soon as I give the command. And after the last potty of the night, they both go straight to their individual crates without being told! It's all about routine and consistency, plus some treats won't hurt.

As far as crying at night, sometimes this can last for a several days. I know it seems like much longer when it's 2:00 AM. But it sounds like you're on the right track and doing all the right things. Patience and perseverance and you'll have a great dog!

Dec 07, 2010
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Crating
by: Lisa-Marie

I crated my springer from day 1 & never had any problems. Always put a throw or blanket over the top to block out any light. As long as it has a comfy bed, a comforting toy & water in there they should be fine. Initially I'd give her a chew or a jumbone when she went in to occupy her until we'd gone up to bed. Persevere as crating is such a useful tool when housetraining & also gets them used to it if you ever need to put them in kennels.

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