Very boisterous springer male pup

[DempsiesMum76]

Hello. I am a first time owner of a very boisterous springer spaniel male puppy called Dempsie. He is 17 weeks old and is starting to display some very dominant behaviour toward myself (he can also do it with my husband, but not as much). I am hoping someone can give me some advice?

He can be very sweet at times (mainly when tired) but when I try to get him to sit or stay, he can be downright defiant. When I am at home sitting on the sofa, he can for no apparent reason at all, start barking wildly at me, while attacking my feet. He then proceeds to run madly around the room, growling and knocking things over. What is the best way to deal with this??

I have tried ignoring him, staying calm/assertive, smacking him gently, putting him into his crate, but nothing seems to work.

Yesterday, he slipped his collar while in the garden. When I managed to catch him, he bit me on the arm (narrowly missing a vein and drawing blood) while I was attempting to put his collar back on. When I was holding him, he was snarling and almost spitting or frothing and he looked so aggresive it actually frightened me. I am finding that this behaviour usually (not always) starts after he has not been allowed to do something ie when I have taken away a cushion or shoe that he is biting or when he is told off for something.

We have a three year old male house cat as well and he has always lunged and jumped on him but i'm worried with Dempsie getting bigger and stronger every day that he is also going to end up hurting the cat.

Dempsie is fully housetrained and we used and still use the crate for when we are not in. He is happy to go in his crate for sleeping but it can be a challenge getting him in there at other times.

He gets walked three times daily, as well as having some free running around in the garden so I don't think it's an exercise issue. I am currently feeding him Wainwrights natural puppy food (turkey and brown rice) with some beta and fresh vegetables. He also is quite scared of going out walking and every day we have to walk at least 100 yards before he will walk properly. I'm not sure how to get round this either?

If anyone could offer any advice, I would be very grateful. many Thanks

[chalky76]

Hi there

We have a 7 year old English Springer bitch. They are usually such good dogs. First of all have you spoken to your vet about it? It is possible that he has rage syndrome but it is unlikely. Did he display behavioural problems from the outset or did they come on later on?

Do you feed him or does your husband feed him? Control of his food is probably one of the most definitive dominant behaviours you can display over him. You tell him when he can eat therefore you are dominant. If he doesn’t heat all his food right away then you should take it off him. Always make sure you eat something in front of him before you feed him (again Aloha dog). Do you also make him wait whilst you go through doors first?
Little more info on the group dynamics please? Ie Where does he sleep and do you have anyone else in the house kids, friends etc? Is there anyone in the house that he doesn’t challenge if so who and why? Maybe they feed him?

Alex

[nick_j007]

Originally Posted by DempsiesMum76

Hello. I am a first time owner of a very boisterous springer spaniel male puppy called Dempsie. He is 17 weeks old and is starting to display some very dominant behaviour toward myself (he can also do it with my husband, but not as much). I am hoping someone can give me some advice?

He can be very sweet at times (mainly when tired) but when I try to get him to sit or stay, he can be downright defiant. When I am at home sitting on the sofa, he can for no apparent reason at all, start barking wildly at me, while attacking my feet. He then proceeds to run madly around the room, growling and knocking things over. What is the best way to deal with this??

Place a house line on him during these times to allow you to have immediate control of his behaviour. A house line is a longish soft lead (not chain). With no fuss and no speech remove him from the room and place him in his crate or into a utility area should you have one. Toilet rooms can do the same trick. This is a time out. he will find himself there every time he displays this behaviour. Be consistent and calm with this. Keep him there for 60 seconds without interaction, then allow out assuming quiet. give him a chance to either settle or be nice, or go back in for time out behaviour depending.

I have tried ignoring him, staying calm/assertive, smacking him gently, putting him into his crate, but nothing seems to work.

Stay calm yes. 'Smacking him gently'? really sounds like you need someone to come over and help you first hand.

Yesterday, he slipped his collar while in the garden. When I managed to catch him, he bit me on the arm (narrowly missing a vein and drawing blood) while I was attempting to put his collar back on. When I was holding him, he was snarling and almost spitting or frothing and he looked so aggresive it actually frightened me. I am finding that this behaviour usually (not always) starts after he has not been allowed to do something ie when I have taken away a cushion or shoe that he is biting or when he is told off for something.

Ensure he cannot slip his collar...tighten it. When in the garden you can let him drag a 5-10m line and this again will enable a quick collection when needed. He was able to go way too high in excessive behaviour before you dealt with it. You intervened (it sounds) when he was too high. Step in early and redirect to a more positive dirtection.

We have a three year old male house cat as well and he has always lunged and jumped on him but i'm worried with Dempsie getting bigger and stronger every day that he is also going to end up hurting the cat.

This could end in tears you're right. Again use of the house line should give you the ability to interrupt early.

Dempsie is fully housetrained and we used and still use the crate for when we are not in. He is happy to go in his crate for sleeping but it can be a challenge getting him in there at other times.

Feed him in the crate to keep a positive association up, and offer him a departing stuffed Kong or similar. Wiggle it near his nose and use this to guide him into the crate as you say 'In your crate' or similar. As he gets close, throw it into the back and close door behind him. How long is he being kept in there for?

He gets walked three times daily, as well as having some free running around in the garden so I don't think it's an exercise issue. I am currently feeding him Wainwrights natural puppy food (turkey and brown rice) with some beta and fresh vegetables. He also is quite scared of going out walking and every day we have to walk at least 100 yards before he will walk properly. I'm not sure how to get round this either?

Diet sounds ok, though drop the Beta...you're mixing two brands one good (Wainwrights) the other less good (Beta). Too much exercise can be as bad as too little. Too much can leave a dog hyper...just a thought for you. Seek to find a balance for his age. As already suggested, you can make him work for his food. So rather than giving free of charge via his bowl, make him work for it for basic training, sit, down, stay, recalls, calm behaviour...you name it.
Sorry, to the previous contributor, but eating before your dog makes no difference in my experience (I see new dogs most days in people's homes), though polite behaviour around food is of course important.

Read my notes in the expert section re leadership and other areas that may assist you: Expert Articles - Dog-Behavior-Training.co.uk Forum

If anyone could offer any advice, I would be very grateful. many Thanks

Hope that helps. Good luck. Don't struggle with a dog at this age...seek professional help in your home.