AboutDelores Beck Expertise Health, nutrition, and training issues.
NOTICE: I NO LONGER RECOMMEND CANIDAE DOG FOOD. DUE TO A CHANGE IN FORMULA AND MANUFACTURING FACILITIES, DOGS ARE GETTING SICK ON THIS BRAND.
Question We have a four month old Cocker puppy.He constantly bites (hard) and attacks our legs when we walk him. We try to yell "no bite" and stop walking for a second. The scolding makes him very irritated and aggressive and we eventually have to put him in the kennel until he calms down.Sometimes he can get very irritated and will jump and snap at us. I would very much like to end this behavior without being too physical.I am open to suggestions.
Answer First of all, never yell. It just puts more "excitement" in the room and it's ineffective.
The first thing I'd try is the old water trick. Carry a plastic spray bottle filled with water (most supermarkets have these).
Make sure it's on "spray or mist"..not a hard stream of water.
When he attacks your legs, calmly but firmly say NO and spritz him in the face. No yelling - no chat - just NO and spritz and carry on.
I have a few other tactics to stop a specific behavior but try that one first.
And this really needs to be addressed and corrected NOW. Hopefully you are training and/or taking him to classes?
I'd also like to know how much exercise he gets - what type of lead you're using - and what commands he knows? Does this ONLY happen on walks?
Delores
