Springer Spaniel Puppy lunging at our Kids

by Holly
(Janesville WI)

Hello,

We jut recently purchased a 8 week male puppy and have had him for a week. He is lunging at my daughters (2 and 4) faces and is constantly nipping and biting us.

My younger daughter does not like be on the floor at all if he is around in fear that he is going to bit her. What can we do to stop the biting. When we yell he gets more aggressive and we ultimately put him in his crate till he calms down. We will take any help.

Thank you

From Anna@love-springer-spaniels.com

Hi there
He is showing normal signs of puppy pack behaviour but you are right to try and teach him it is not acceptable.

What I did with George every time he nipped or lunged I would shout ayyeeeeeee, stand up and walk away so they learn that that behaviour means no mroe attention. They soon get it and learn better manners

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Springer Spaniel Puppy lunging at our Kids

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May 06, 2012
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puppy nipping NEW
by: cmax

Hi, we have had the same problem, but unfortunately, it has gotten worse. Our dog is 8 months old and I am at the point of finding a home for her. She is an awesome dog is all ways except she has been aggresive and dominant from day one. I tried all the above techniques, and when we would walk away from her, she would just chase us biting our ankles or jumping on us from behind and nipping our hands and throwing her self at us. Tried the water, and she got very aggresvie and snarled. Tried the time out, more snarling. Got the trainer in for home visits and even tho she has stopped the behaviour with me, she is still at my son, and her bites leave welts on his arms. All I can say, is that get it worked out with a trainer early on and get the trainer to work with your kids. I love our dog, but my son doesn't want her around because of her behaviour and I can't say I blame him.

Apr 08, 2012
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behavior NEW
by: Anonymous

we have an 11 week old pup and is always nipping the kids and us on the legs we have tryed the walking away and are going to puppy classes we even have him walking twice a day at same times .i dont want to pup him in crate as this is his bed any advice please ....
the other problem is he walks graet off the lead and comes when we call him and obays basics ie sit paw down etc but when on it he becomes aggressive chewing and growling any advice would be graet ....

May 20, 2011
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Its a pup
by: Anonymous

The kids need to act like a tree, make no eye contact and no sound and ignore the pup.

Give the pup chew toys/to play with and encourage play involving the children and kids. frozen carrots and bagels to chew on helps with teething which at that age they start.

Throwing water in their face will cause issues as the pup grows.

You want a strong bond with your pup so that they will trust and listen to your cues (commands) but you want to do it in a positive manner.

Find a recommended club to help you with socialising pup one that uses rewards over punishment

May 20, 2011
Rating

Lunging
by: Michele

Puppies lunge, run, bite and jump. They are being puppies! But puppies do grow into adult dogs & these behaviors need to be broken before that. My suggestion is for you to find a good obedience class. In a GOOD obedience class not only will the puppy be trained, but so will you and you won't even realize it's happening!

Springers are great dogs - very loyal & loving, but without the proper training they tend to think they're in charge. That's kind of cute when they are puppies, but it can be dangerous as they mature into adult dogs. So, please....find that obedience class and learn how your puppy can be a huge asset to your family.

One caution - try to find an obedience class that is given by a dog club or reputable kennel. Stay away from classes given at the local pet store. It's been my experience that pet store employees don't know any more about training your dog than you do.

Good Luck!

May 20, 2011
Rating

Nipping
by: Anonymous

All Springer puppies do this,we just turned away from ours to ignore him. Try giving a nylabone or a frozen carrot, it's his puppy teeth once they fall out he will be fine.Don't put him in a crate especially if you want him to be in one when you leave him home alone, he will see it as a punishment and not his own quite relaxing space. Good luck it will get better and you will have the best dog in the whole wide world. Mine is now 2 and is just adorable.

May 20, 2011
Rating

springers biteing
by: laura

springers are water dogs however what we did with our rescue springer was to throw half a glass of water in his face a shock technic. it doesnt hurt the dog but scares the hell out of him. our dog tryed to bit a few times but after the glass of water in the face he quickly learnt that was wrong.

May 20, 2011
Rating

biting
by: michelle

my springer also does this. we got stanley at 8 weeks to and he ws biting all of us, we also yelped like a dog when he bit us and i teached the kids to do this to. i also put him in the crate for time out. it is def a puppy thing as he is 15 weeks now and hasnt stopped it completey but hardly bites now and if he does it is more mouthing then nipping unless the kids are teasing and chasing him about lol. i am hoping once stanly loses his puppy teeth he will be much better =) x x

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