Need inffo on our new Cocker Spaniel Puppy, Desperate!

[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?

[Cassiepeia]

Puppies growl when they play. Adult dogs growl when they play. It's all perfectly normal. Ask some of our members here who have more than one dog in the house and they'll tell you that sometimes their dogs sound like they're killing each other, when in fact they're just playing.

Vets are not (usually) experts in animal behaviour...they're experts in animal medical problems. Some vets can't even identify dog breeds. Don't take what your vet says as absolute truth unless it's regarding medical issues and even then seeking a 2nd opinion is sometimes a good idea.

Instead of spraying with a water bottle you could try letting out a loud screech/scream when ever your pup nips your feet/socks and then ignore the dog completely for a while until it's distracted with something else (don't even look at it...and have everyone else ignore it too).
Or you could screech/scream and then distract the dog with something you do want it to chew on and praise it when it plays with that.

Also, try using a loud "Ah..ah!" instead of "No". It works better, IMO. And remember...always reward the dog for good behaviour.

How old is the pup?
Puppy classes and then obedience training are a wonderful idea (and great for socialisation) and I also recommend getting involved with some sort of activity your dog would like (and you will too) like agility.

Good luck with your pup and I hope you'll post some pictures for us to "Ooooo.." and "Awwww..." over soon.

Cass.

[rmci]

Originally Posted by dmelocchi

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.

I have heard it recommended that when choosing a pup from the litter you should pick one that does not mind being turned on his back. Since he's not this way, get him used to it by gently rolling him over and giving him a good belly rub. This way it becomes a good thing to roll over

Originally Posted by dmelocchi

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?

He's a pup and it sounds like he's playing. My two dogs growl while they're wrestling each other and it can be quite alarming if you don't realize they're just playing.

Originally Posted by dmelocchi

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

Puppies have phases were they seem crazy and will drive you nuts. You've only had him for a month, hang in there

[rmci]

Originally Posted by Cassiepeia

Instead of spraying with a water bottle you could try letting out a loud screech/scream when ever your pup nips your feet/socks and then ignore the dog completely for a while until it's distracted with something else (don't even look at it...and have everyone else ignore it too).
Or you could screech/scream and then distract the dog with something you do want it to chew on and praise it when it plays with that.

Also, try using a loud "Ah..ah!" instead of "No". It works better, IMO. And remember...always reward the dog for good behaviour.

How old is the pup?
Puppy classes and then obedience training are a wonderful idea (and great for socialisation) and I also recommend getting involved with some sort of activity your dog would like (and you will too) like agility.

Good luck with your pup and I hope you'll post some pictures for us to "Ooooo.." and "Awwww..." over soon.

Cass.

Cass, great advice! Biting/nipping can be tough to deal with. Make sure everyone uses the same discipline procedure- If you won't allow it, then your spouse can't allow it, or your children. Everyone has to be on the same page.

[DogLover8]

Welcome to Global Paw.

[Shadowkins]

Welcome to Global Paw and congratulations on your new puppy! You have gotten some good advice and I strongly suggest you purchase yourself a good book . When I got my cocker, I bought the book "the Dog Owner's problem solver" by John and Caroline Bower. I still use it to this date because it contains information from the small pup to the senior pup and also has a section on health concerns.
Shadow( who is now 8 ) still has a low growl when playing ...I think the most important thing is to show your pup when his behavior is not acceptable and the training classes will give you the tools to do it and the confidence to apply it. Let your kids go with you to the classes, that way they can learn as well.
Don't de discouraged, your baby is still a puppy and he will learn with discipline and love, before you know it you will have a wonderful pet.
I have never regretted getting my cocker and have received countless compliments on his good nature and behavior. Good luck and give your pup a hug from Shadow and I.

[roman]

congrats on your new puppy

it is great that you are enrolling him early in training classes it can relive stress and also socialize him with dogs

my maltese niko sometimes struggles when places on his back at the vet but my wheaton terrier max will always be on his back because he loves tummy rubs

as for growling when playing both of my dogs growl a little bit when playing..all dogs do so that isn't really an issue it is an issue if the dog starts biting (not nipping) enough to break the skin then you will have to correct that problem

[LilacDragon]

The fact that your puppy doesn't like to be rolled onto his back means that he has a little more self worth then "normal" and is not submissive. Since he was in a room with strangers having a not-so-comfortable procedure done, it is not surprising that he struggled and maybe even growled. The fact that he did NOT use his teeth to enforce his displeasure with the situation is a very good thing.

Find a new vet. It sounds to me like this one has decided that your pup is aggressive and from here on out, anytime that your pup does not behave "correctly" your vet will feel that his initial assessement is correct.

In the 30 years that I have owned dogs, a vet has never removed a dog from the exam room that I was in unless it was for a surgical procedure or to take x-rays.

[Rivsky]

Welcome to GlobalPaw - I totally agree with everyone else - growling is "normal" when playing - but your pup also needs to learn what the boundaries are and to know that there is an end to every game. Just be patient, consistent and calm - your pup will eventually learn what's ok and what's not.

Also agree with the comment about getting another vet - how would you feel if a total stranger took you away from your family and held you down - I'd bet a lot of us would be struggling too - and I agree the fact that he didn't bite when this was done means he wasn't overly aggressive.