Expert: Delores Beck - 8/22/2010

Question
QUESTION: I have a 2 and a half month old female cocker spaniel puppy.I got her home when she was 35days old.She has been biting us almost the whole day right from the day she came home.In the beginning we thought it waz because of the fleas as we got her from a kennel.The vet told us that it may be because of the teething.But it keeps biting us all the time and that too real hard that we have marks all over our hands now.Is it normal?And what can i do to make her stop biting?We never leave her home alone but she still bites.Because of this my mom is not able to tolerate the biting and wants to give away the pup.So please suggest me what to do.reply as soon as possible pleaseee
thanks a ton in advance!

ANSWER: She's teething and will bite anything in front of her.

When she puts her teeth on you, calmly say NO in a firm voice staring into her eyes and give her a toy.  I suggest a small Kong that you can put in teeny bit of peanut butter inside.  Do NOT give rawhides or Greenies.

This isn't "temper" - it's normal puppy behavior and you have to teach her that your fingers are out of bounds.

I don't know any good kennel that would hand over a 4 week old puppy either.

I have other techniques I can teach you to stop this, but try this first.


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: hey ....i asked u about my 2 and a half month old female cocker spaniel previously......i did try looking into its eyes and and firmly saying no to stop her from biting me.....but whenevr i try doing that its pouncing on my face and trying to bite more.....can u suggest me somethin else to stop it from biting us?
and one more thing i took her to the vet and he told me that its got umbilical hernia.is it dangerous?do cocker spaniels have a lot of health problems?what are the major things i hav to take care of?it always keeps rubbing its ears and she has lots of ear wax.it keeps forming everyday.is it some health disorder?can i clean it everyday?and do i have to keep combing her hair everyday?
do reply as soon as you can
thanx in advance :)

Answer
You shouldn't be close enough when saying NO and staring her down that she can try to nip you.

No, a hernia isn't dangerous and can be taken care of when you get her spayed.

Didn't you ask the vet about her ears?  What did the vet give you as an ear cleaner?

Yes, you should brush daily.