biting and jumping please help

[bubble12]

Hi,

I would be grateful for any advice I have a lovely 5 month old cocker spaniel and she is great around the house. However when I take her out for play time with the ball at the park she get very aggressive jumping and biting at you. I have tried to ignore her which results in holes in my coat until she gets bored. I have also tried holding her still, showing my cross face and tone but she will just get worse as soon as I let go. Also when she jumps I but my knee up so its uncomfortable for her to do so which helps a little. She just seems to get over excited and I cant dare take my children with me when I go as I don't want them getting hurt or scared of her.

Like I said she wont dare bite at home but she seem to think your fare game out in the open once off the lead. Please any training tips would be gratefully received.

[nick_j007]

Hi. This is not uncommon and what you're seeing here (I reckon based on experience) is excessive excitement and not aggression as such.

I would be able to stop that in 60 seconds flat by keeping a line on and correcting the dog for any leaping or mouthing. I would be firmer than you are being at present. Many dogs are so mad for it that they think you are playing and not getting cross. the trick is to get the message over without being aggressive yourself. It takes composure and a calm head to resolve this in a professional manner.

In the circumstances (let's face it, this needs resolving now really) I would consider a spray (not electric!) collar that you can activate each time the dog leaps at you and mouths. It may well stop it dead after 2/3 sprays. YMMV.

Reward the dog with its ball/food for calm behaviour and sitting. Introduce more control and obedience. You need a one to one sessions out and about and or classes.

Get to work.

Good luck.

Nick

[RDW]

Have you had any luck with Nick's method? Would be interested in how you got on with the spray collar?