My 12 week old cocker spaniel

Question
Hi,

I have a red 12 week old female cocker spaniel, and over the past two weeks of owning her she is becoming aggressive.
Shortly after she wakes from a nap she will be petted nicely than it turns to mouthing and gentle biting which I know is common in puppies. As I say no when she bites my hands she lunges at me and tries to bite me , if I get up and walk away saying "no" she runs at my legs snapping and growling and barking at anything she can get at. She does this with all members of my family, my husband and two children. She has plenty of toys, a lovely bed which she loves, but the only time we can pet her is when she's  asleep. Is this just common behavior and is there anyway of stopping her as my children are worried she will hurt them.
Thank you so much for any advice as we love her so much.

Kind regards Suzann.

Answer
You are so smart to address this NOW.  Yes, it's puppy behavior but if it's not controlled will accelerate.  The hand mouthing is typical - try saying OUCH or a loud whimper.  Have a Kong handy to give her instead of your fingers.

So here's what to do:

At the first growl - get down on her level, say NO quietly but firmly while staring into her eyes.  Do not lose eye contact.  Continue doing this until she breaks eye contact.  You just won.

Stop petting her when she wakes up and let her come to you.

Try that first.

If that doesn't work (sometimes it's hard to get eye contact with wiggling puppies) then get some empty pop/beer cans - fill each one with 15 pennies (or equivalent).  Duct tape top shut.

When she follows "snapping & growling" - say NO and raise the can in the air and bring it down hard ONCE.  No chat - no scolding - just walk away.  Have them handy - this won't work if you have to go find one :)  You know it's going to happen so be ready!

This message is simple - you do THAT and THIS happens.

So don't "shake" the can - you want ONE thundering noise.

Also - be sure you get her out for long walks - a tired puppy is a good puppy.  So much bad behavior is due to boredom and pent up energy.

Right now this is puppy "play", so she's not being a bad girl but she has to be taught she cannot "snap, growl, bark" at your legs.

The gentle mouthing/biting you avoid - substitute - let her know it hurts - whatever works.
That's just normal and she'll outgrow it.  They'll do that at anything near their mouths.
So what you want to address is the growling pursuit :)

Do write again with any questions.  And, by the way, never give her rawhides or greenies or those fuzzy toys with squeakers inside.  Get her a couple of small Kongs - stick a little peanut butter way inside and hand her that when she starts mouthing.

If you'd like advice on food, I'd be happy to chat with you about that.  Nutrition is key to keeping her healthy.  At this age she needs 4 meals a day and, of course, time to start housebreaking too :) - so if that's not going really well, do write.
Delores