[dmelocchi]

Hi,

My wife and I are new to the Dog thing and purchased a Cocker Spaniel Pup (male) for our 3 kids as a Christmas gift.

We have received so much conflicting info that we are at our wits end!

The pup is signed up for training classed beginning in two weeks and just had it's first vet visit. It is a purbred from a breeder and is AKC registered.

Our main concern is rough play, specifically, biting at the socks, pantlegs, and ankles. This can be accomponied by growls which began to alarm us. When we spray the pup with a water bottle and say "no" he stops. Many have told us, including our breeder that this is to be expected at this age and continue to correct him. Our new vet was less than amused. I felt our dog behaved well for his shots, not even letting out a wimper, but prior to the shots he was taken in the back room for a forced stool sample where he is placed on his back. The vet said his reaction was "not normal" for a pup placed in this position. He did not bite or nip, but he resisted. She feels that pups should not "growl" during play and has my wife and myself concerned that we have a "crazy" pup that could harm our kids.

Again, the only behavior this pup has exibited that I would consider agressive is the biting of the feet with the growl. He has never appeared to bite out of agression and is good with the kids except for the above.

Should we be overly concerned? Is this normal play behavior that will be corrected with age and training? Why would the vet say that Puppies do not growl during play?

Can anybody offer some advice to save our Kid's Christmas gift?