springer biting

[GCN]

what can we do about our springer spaniel he used to be a placid dog before being castrated six months ago.
Now if he is around food he can get very demanding and aggressive he has bitten my son when he tried to stop him jumping up at the kitchen table.We cannot shut him in another room when eating we have tried putting him outside and he barks and scratches madly at the door.does anyone have any ideas what we should do?

[smeagol]

I doubt that the biting is anything do to with his castration, the most likey cause is that you have just let him become leader of the pack. Springers are intelligient dogs (i have one and she has me wrapped round her little paw!). You need to implement some simple rules that will make yuur dog realise that he is not the boss. Always ensure you and your family eat before he does, when you feed him pretend to eat out of his bowl so he thinks thta it isn't his food but your food and you are letting him have some of it. Never let him go through a door before you or a member of your family. You can even try sitting in his bed for 5 minutes a day. Some of these sound silly but this is how a dog at the bottom of the pile would be in the pack situation, they would only recieve leftover once the leaders had eaten, it may seem mean but a dog is happier knowing he has a master. The biting is totally unacceptable and need to be addressed asap, how would you feel if he bit a child? Put the foot down, i know its difficult but you can do it!

[pixiepie]

hi gcn
we had a similar problem with our neo she was snapping and growling at the other dogs around food and her bed.
We feed her last she has to wait till all the others have finished. At first she didint like this but now she waits patiently and doesnt guard her food any more. We also started taking her off her bed and putting the other dogs on it and also sitting on it ourselves. Felt stupid at the time but now she lets anyone pile on to it.
Trust me it has to be done or it will only get worse a dog needs to now who its leader is.
Good luck and keep us informed xx

[GCN]

thanks smeagol and pixiepie
will try out all your ideas in fact this morning we held his food back until we were ready to give it him after our breakfast because we possibly thought he was thinking he was leader of the pack.Youare correct smeagol we have ruined him because we lost a previous springer to a brain tumour.Will keep you both informed as to progress.

[smeagol]

Keep going, its a long and arduous road but i am the biggest soft touch going and i did it and my dog couldn't be happier. The best thing is that you can make a fool in front of your pet and they don't judge you! Keep us informed of your progress. xx

[hammerman]

As Smeagol says, you've got to be damn hard on the dog otherwise he will rule your life.

We have a male Springer and they are very headstrong and will always try to "pull a fast one" whenever they can....it's like having a toddler in the house.

I suggest that when you are eating, the dog is made to lie down somewhere out of sight of the dinner table. If the dog gets up, send him back in a very firm manner.

As mentioned, springers are highly intelligent dogs but they learn fast. It will only take a few days of training to get him into shape.....but you really do have to keep at it and you have to be firm.

Good lucj

[GCN]

thanks hammerman
you have hit the nail on the head with your description of having a toddler in the house.we will try putting him in another room when we are eating do we do this temporary or will it be permanently?

[hammerman]

Permenantly. If anyone is eating so much as a biscuit, our springer knows to leave the room (head down, tail between legs giving me that "oh do i have to" look !!!!!!)

You really have got to take control and be firm. Set some rules out and stick to them. If you make the dog lie down out of sight of the dinner....and he keeps getting up or moving closer, move him back....with a serious, firm voice. Keep doing it even if it ruins your dinner time for a week....it will be more than worth it.

Don't let your dog eat up any scraps that have fallen on the floor round the table either. By showing you're serious, he'll soon get the message.

Best of luck.

[GCN]

thanks hammerman
for your advice will put it all into action