Food/toy agressive puppy

Question
We adopted a springer spaniel/beagle mix from an animal shelter when he was 8 weeks old.  He is now almost 13 weeks old and is very rough and sometimes agressive.  He likes to play very rough and bite at your hands, arms, legs and feet.  Even if you get him a toy, he will bring it back, drop it and bite you.  Also, if you touch his legs or back when he is eating or attempt to take away his dog dish, most of the time, he will growl and try to bite you ferociously.  We just got a kitten and he wants to eat the kitten food and acts the same when you take it away.  We don't know how to discipline him.  When he starts playing too rough, we put him in his room.  When he growls and bites over the food (and is especially horrible with pig ears, etc.) we take it away, hold him down and say "no".  We are afraid that he is just a naturally mean dog.  Please help us.

Answer
Hi Kari,

Teach your puppy that biting hurts you. When he bites, give a sharp "NO!" or "OUCH!" - or even a yelp like a dog would make. This is the same reaction that your puppy would get from another puppy if he bit too hard during play. It teaches him that he's been too rough, and the odds are that he'll be more gentle next time.

If your puppy ignores your reaction and bites again, repeat your "NO!," "OUCH!" or yelp, and leave the room for a few minutes. Let your puppy know that when he bites, he will lose his playmate. This, too, mirrors the reaction he would get from another puppy if he played too roughly.

Be persistent in your training. As your puppy's behavior improves and his bites are softer, continue to yelp or give a sharp "no!" or "ouch!" whenever he puts his teeth on you. Make it clear that all bites are painful and unacceptable to humans.

Reinforce your puppy's good behavior. Whenever he licks you without using his teeth and whenever he plays nicely and appropriately, give him plenty of praise.

You can read more about puppy aggression here:

http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&A=1743

http://www.puppycarehelp.com/aggressive-puppy-training.html

http://www.googobits.com/articles/2453-puppies-stop-playful-and-aggressive-bitin...

If you are already taking these measures with your puppy, and he continues to be aggressive (or is getting even more aggressive despite your efforts) then you need to consult a dog behaviorist. Some issues simply can't be cured by reading advice, and needs the helpful hand of a professional- live and in person,  who can watch the puppy, and show you how to correct his behavior.

You shouldn't wait in resolving this behavior issue. Aggressive behavior will not go away on it own, nor will the dog get better with age. You don't want your aggressive puppy to mature into a dangerous dog.

Ask your veterinarian for a recommendation of a dog behaviorist, or contact a dog obedience school. There are a number of organizations that have animal behaviorists world-wide. One such organization is the International Association of Animal Behaviorist Consultants:
http://www.iaabc.org/

I hope I've been a help.
Best of luck,

Patti