12 week old cocker spaniel puppy biting not nipping

Question
QUESTION: HI, I purchased a cocker spaniel puppy after talking to several breeder whose names I got from the AKC breeder list and after rejecting breeders who did not do health screenings for eyes and hips.  He was 9 1/2 weeks old when I got him and was one of two puppies in the litter and very very sweet and kissy.  His breeder said he was socialized and I met both parents, the dam was a sweety waggly tailed dog and the sire ( a champion show dog) was aloof and cautious.  After my puppy's first vet appointment I accidentally touched him where he had gotten his shots.  He went ballistic with angry (in pain) growling and biting.  I had to put him down.  Since then he will repeat this behavior if one of my other dogs nips too hard him in play.  He also began to do it to me if I picked him up when he didn't want to be moved, but I have been working as best I can to eliminate this dominant behavior.  It is actually scary just how ferocious he gets.  But I hold him like a baby until he calms down, then I am following my vet's recommendations to touch him on his face a lot so he doesn't snarl when handled at the vet's (he apparently did when I wasn't looking).  I love this little guy, he is so babyish at 12 weeks now, is learning to go outside pretty well, and we began Puppy Kindergarten (though he is so scared of the bigger rough puppies he hides most of the play time).  I just want to do everything I can to eliminate or significantly control his aggressive  biting.  I have read a lot about cocker spaniels and do no want to leave this to chance.  He has plenty of chew toys and is easily redirected from biting my hands and when he bit too hard I was told to yelp in a high pitched voice and push him away and that worked.  It is more the total ferocity of his biting when he is hurt or angry at being made to do something he doesn't want that I am concerned with.  I am at this point using my own behavioral skills to my best ability: stopping too rough play with the other dogs, handling him a lot, making him do what I want by moving him to a sit or lie down.  He is too young to allow for neighborhood leash walks at least until he gets his next shots I think in early March.  Then I will try more exercise.   Please let me know if there is anything else I should do. Please let me know if you think I should call a professional.  The trainers at the dog club kindergarten wanted me to let him be chased and knocked around by the much larger puppies even though he was yammering and cringing.  I don't think letting out of control puppies rough him up is going to help him overcome his fear and ultimately his aggressiveness.  BTW, I have raised more than my share of puppies and have never seen this level of aggressiveness at this age, though I have dealt with nippy puppies often.  I would really appreciate your expert advice.  Thanks.

ANSWER: The trainers at your dog club are wrong - and you're right.  If he's a bit of a nervous type, then he needs a slower and more controlled socializing experience.

Now..the aggression.  With your other dogs - supervise and step in if things get out of control.
But mostly, they'll work it out on their own and if not, you can use the old "can of pennies" crash and a NO!  They'll all scamper off pretty quickly :).  If you're not familiar with this, I can teach you.

Picking him up/moving him.  Pick him up and firmly hold him by the scruff so he can't bite.
Stand there silently until he gives it up and relaxes. That can take some time :). Then use your "happy voice" and praise and reward when you put him down.

Get on him now and this can be history pretty quickly.

If you can (depending on what's going on)- and he's growling - get down on his level - STARE into his eyes - be physically still - and in a quiet but firm voice say NO.  Count to 3 - say NO again, never losing eye contact. Continue until he caves.

When he breaks eye contact - you just won!

An exercise (in the house or out) you can do with him is the Umbilical Cord Exercise.  You "attach" his short, light leash to your belt loop (or wherever works) and without ANY conversation where you go, he goes.

The eye contact - the umbilical cord - all tell a dog just WHO is pack leader.  No yelling, no punishing!

In a pack when a puppy is annoying the alpha, first there'll be a low warning growl (for us - this is NO) and then the head slowly turns and the puppy gets the Clint Eastwood "stare".
They back off.  There's no drama - it's sheer authority and intimidation :)

Cockers are cute as anything.  They're also a very dominant breed and the time to sort this out is right NOW!  

My very first boy - the magnificent Chester - at this very age snarled at me the first time I said NO to him.  I stared him down every day for about 4 days - it ended and he was the absolute sweetest dog for his entire 17 years.  He was trying me on and he had to lose.

However, he wasn't a nervous dog.  Your pup is so I'd keep things controlled and calm as much as possible.  To advise putting this particular dog in a rough & tumble situation when he's clearly indicated this frightens him is just plain dumb and will exacerbate his issues.

You're obviously an experienced dog owner but in case you haven't dealt with this before - don't comfort/soothe/chat if he's being nervous.  Be matter of fact and just carry on.  Comforting, to a dog, is telling them there IS something to be nervous about.

Let me know how it's going.  Happy to chat more.
Delores

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks for the prompt response and the advice. I think I know what to do with the can of pennies (make a loud clatter of noise to distract and interrupt the too wild and rough play).  Should I insist that the dogs get off the couch when we are relaxing together and my alpha female, young herding dog (English shepherd) put on a blustery show of dominance at the puppy.  He is very respectful of her and rolls over and makes soft noises.  But he is a puppy and nuzzles her bone or chew toy and then her show of dominance begins again and is far to rough for me to relax, so I make them both get off the couch.  Is that the right move to make?  Or should I let her be dominant and teach her a new command (she is very bright and learns word quickly), settle down or cut it out, or something?  Also.  Let's just say I get my pup to stop growling at me.  Will my eighteen year old daughter have to establish her dominance separately?  She hates to interact with growling dogs but loves her own sweet and submissive pomeranian.  She is at college now and looking forward to meeting the puppy.  Thanks again for your assistance.

Answer
Get an empty pop/beer can - fill with about 15 pennies - duct tape top shut.  Make a few - they're useless if you have to go find one :)

This is to be used when you want an instant STOP for a behavior.
Raise the can in the air - say NO - bring it down as hard as you can ONCE!
Don't "shake" it - you're after a single thundering crash.
No further comment should be necessary.

The message is simple:  You do THAT...and THIS happens.

If all your alpha girl is doing is putting on a show - she's just informing the puppy who's the boss.  More than a show, that's different.

But yes - if they're acting up - hey, it's YOUR couch :) and they'll soon learn roughhousing on the couch means they have to get off.  And sure - teach her a command for when enough is enough !

Re your daughter - probably not.


Also - re the picking up - you could try picking her up with one hand and simultaneously giving her a treat with the other "on the way up" :) Put her on the counter - another treat - praise. Then put her down instantly.  Let her associate being picked up with goodies :)

This is important to conquer since you're soon going to have to start ear cleaning, getting her used to having her teeth brushed, etc.

Write anytime, Karin.  These approaches often need fine tuning.
Delores