Biting Cocker Spaniel Puppy

by Pauli Baker
(Columbus, Ohio)

My black Cocker Spaniel puppy is 3 months old. We already have a 3 year old German Wire-Haired Pointer. The Cocker constantly attacks the 3 year old; biting his ears, lips, legs, whatever she can get a hold of.

She also bites me a lot - it's hard to hold her because she wants to swing around and bite - my hands are a mess!

When she attacks our other dog, she growls a lot. Is this normal and will it pass?

Reply From Pauline (Web Owner)

Hi Pauli,

It sounds like you have a very patient and/or subservient German Wire-haired Pointer!

First of all, if you haven't already, I would crate your puppy - if for no other reason than to give your Pointer a bit of peace.

You can learn about the benefits of crate training your puppy here and the steps to crate training your puppy here.

When your pup is trying to bite your other dog, pick her up gently and place her in her crate for a little time out. (Or in another room if she's not yet crate trained). Don't scold her - you don't want her to associate her crate with a punishment - all you want is a little quiet time.

Puppy biting is fairly natural, so don't worry too much about it. You can learn how to teach your puppy that biting is unacceptable. It's fairly straightforward and it won't be too long before she catches on!

As for attacking other dogs, that's not acceptable. I recommend that you take her to puppy socialization classes if there's one near you to help her get used to other dogs.

Are you exercising her enough? Give her a couple of walks each day (10-15 minutes morning and night) and play with her indoors. Plenty of exercise and play may help to tire her out, which may mean that she won't want to 'antagonize' your other dog so much.

The main thing is to teach her that if she becomes aggressive with your other dog then she will be excluded and all or any play stops. Eventually, she will learn that in order to remain with her pack she must behave.

Good luck Pauli!