bitting

Question
I have a cocker that is now 3 month old. I got him at 9 works. He seemed adorable at the time but he has turned into the dog from hell.
He is continually biting my feet, legs, ankles and thighs while I am walking into another room or across the room.
He is drawing blood.  I have to wear long pants, socks and shoes in 90 degree weather!
I know he is a puppy but this is a bit much.
He has plenty of toys, soft and hard.
He has a Kong too.
He is just relentless.  I have crated him, he howls.
I have been calm with him - he bites
I have approached this every way I can think of at this point. Even ignoring him!!!
His obedience training will start 10/16.
Any suggestions??


Answer
Hi Sallie, Well..I'm sure glad his obedience training is starting SOON :)

Yes, I have suggestions.  First - exercise him with an hour's run morning and night.  Tired puppies are good puppies.

Carry a spray bottle of plain water with you and spritz him in the face (spray of water..not a stream) and say NO quietly but firmly.  Move towards him a step or two and do it again if he doesn't stop instantly.

I have to say this puppy sounds bored and probably isn't getting the exercise and socialization he needs.  Also if you'd addressed this the FIRST time he did it, the whole problem would have gone away pretty fast.

At 3 months he'd better get his training started fast because he's thinking HE is the leader of the pack and you've done nothing to disabuse him of this notion.

One exercise that's easy and you can do with him is to walk around the house with his short leash attached to your belt loop.  Just do what you do...no conversation with the dog..if he misbehaves a short "snap" on the leash and keep moving. If he nips - use the water spray.
The lesson here for him is YOU are the leader and he'd better pay attention.

In his mind, you've "accepted" this "play" so don't blame the dog.  As any good trainer will tell you they mostly train the owner.

I'd like you to try these suggestions and let me know what happens.  It'll tell me how hard-wired the behavior is and we can go from there.
Delores