Spaniel 85% fabulous and 15% terror!

[Libra.moon]

Hi Everyone,

I'm new and hoping you can help guide me with my Spaniels biting/ niping issue. She is a rescue dog from Springer Rescue Scotland, 2 years 4 months called Kiera. She is very affectionate, great with visitors and my godkids, has fairly good recall, and does as she is told most of the time. She has been with us for 3 weeks. She has had one other family - they gave her up due to divorce, she was in foster for 10 days.

She follows me everywhere, she doesnt do this to my boyfriend, as soon as i am awake she is pacing and bringing in toys, if i dont take her on her pacing gets worse and worse. and If i still dont take her on she starts to steal/ retrieve things that aren't hers and chew them - door stop, socks, mail etc.If i try to take it off her she bites down harder, I tried waiting patiently - 20 mins....., I have tried an assertive "No", offering her toys in exchange, and pinning her down/ dominating, that resulted in her gripping my arm in her mouth and biting down, i had to blow up her nose to get her to release my arm. This can happen after a walk as well as before and she usually gets a 30 -40 off lead walk in the morning.

Now when she steals i have been putting her on a training lead and putting her in the bathroom for a time out. When i put the lead on her she usually drops the thing she is guarding but if i pick it up she curls her lip and growls.

I can take her food bowl off her and her toys so i dont understand what this behaviour is and how to deal with it. Please help. We have booked a dog behaviouralist but he is on holiday for a fortnight, she only acts up when my boyfriend isnt in the house, she is all sweetness and light when he is around, i love her to bits, most of the time she is sweet and loving and fun to take for walks and play with but this behaviour scares me.

Nadya

[RobD-BCactive]

This sounds like much behaviour you'll see on TV shows like "It's me or the dog", where the dog thinks it's in charge of you, rather than you it with your man accepted as alpha-male. From reading round, the confrontational approach to assert dominance is discredited as it can provoke the aggressive reactions that you found. So better stop them.

May be you can distract with something high value (to the dog) like a prepared stuffed Kong toy that's got down in another room, rather than chase round after the dog to get objects back. I should be careful and try to avoid confrontation, and be patient until the behavourist has had a look at your case and can assess the situation.

As you have suffered some rather serious aggression "gripping my arm in her mouth and biting down", it is likely hard for anyone expert to respond. This sounds rather serious issue, and extremely stressful and unpleasant for you. I guess you could (or have) had the animal checked at vet for medical conditions that could cause unbalanced behaviour.

[RobD-BCactive]

You could usefully have the animal checked at vet for medical conditions that could cause unbalanced behaviour. (Tried edit but it failed)

[Libra.moon]

Thanks for your thoughts. We have had her to the vet as she was due her second vaccination, she has been health checked and all is fine according to our vet.

Have had no problems this morning but i was up and out for work whilst my boyfriend was home. He is off to work shortly so will see how she behaves once he is out of the house.

[RobD-BCactive]

Couple extra ideas that might calm things before your Behavourist returns.

To make the dogs breakfast more interesting, and buy some time first thing, you could try a puzzle feeding toy. My young dog actually prefers having to work a bit for his food, and the Nina Ottosson Interactive Dog Toy Spinny is chosen even if exactly same food is also available in an open dog bowl. It works nicely to slow eating speed to, and avoid treat food getting bolted down in one go.

If the food you give, contains many food additives, you might like to try a higher quality no E number food, and see if something in the food is causing hyper behaviour.

[nick_j007]

Wait for your behaviourist....could she not give advice to tide you over?

This sort of behaviour in Springers is common. Separation anxiety (severe attention seeking) and possessive aggressive behaviour are quite common when things go wrong in a springer.

Rather than place a lead on when she's being hard work, get her to drag the lead so you're prepared in advance.

Do not pin your dog down unless you want to be bitten.

Good luck with your behaviour person.

Nick

[RobD-BCactive]

Originally Posted by nick_j007

Wait for your behaviourist....could she not give advice to tide you over?

Well even Nick seems to take the weekend off

[Libra.moon]

Originally Posted by RobD-BCactive

Couple extra ideas that might calm things before your Behavourist returns.

To make the dogs breakfast more interesting, and buy some time first thing, you could try a puzzle feeding toy. My young dog actually prefers having to work a bit for his food, and the Nina Ottosson Interactive Dog Toy Spinny is chosen even if exactly same food is also available in an open dog bowl. It works nicely to slow eating speed to, and avoid treat food getting bolted down in one go.

If the food you give, contains many food additives, you might like to try a higher quality no E number food, and see if something in the food is causing hyper behaviour.

Am currently feeding her on Harringtons, which is fairly natural no soya or un-necessary cereals or additives, and james wellbeloved treats.

She has been a bit better the last day or two, not quite so pacy, sleeping more and relaxing a bit more. Took a leaf out of Nicks book and have been playing rough & tumble style in the garden, and quiet self play in the house.

I think she may have been mistreated a bit in the past. Rather than shouting and trying to dominate, if i come down to her level and use a softer tone, she usally comes and pays attention in the house. Its like she associates the loud voice with punishment. Trying to praise as much as possible for good behaviour and ignore bad.

Dont want to speak too soon but we seem to be getting there. Just need a clear concise set of rules and commands and i think we will all be happy - thats where our behaviourist will come in. Will keep you posted. Thanks for the advice.

[nick_j007]

Haha yes. Had family here over the weekend so everything stopped!

Thing is, if you want a good debate/laugh chuck a bunch of trainers in the room and ask for them to agree the best way forward with a dog. It may take some time!

Find someone you know and trust and follow their advice. If you ask for (and follow) too much you'll loose focus and direction due to conflicting opinions.

Cheers.

Nick

[RobD-BCactive]

So how's the week gone? Hope things calmed a bit.