Hi Cheadlea
I just wanted to give you some reassurance as so many of the lovely people on here have done for me and boy did I need it!
Our pup (now 22 months) was quite frankly the most hideous bitey puppy I have ever known. It was not funny at all. We'd had a dog before-for 15 years-from a pup- but this new cocker was like a devil!!! I was seriously concerned and reduced to tears on occasions.
She would stalk us like prey! It was horrible. And she bit and bit and bit for months.
We tried everything. (See my posts re Ian Dunbar...and all the others. I was beside myself). It seemed like nothing was working.
The only bad news is, you are probably a while off from being out of the woods yet.
However...
The good news is multiple:
1) yours is so young that it is so normal, you may not even have a bad biter on your hands at all- it may gradually reduce over the next few weeks so that the behaviour is well gone by 6 months as normal.
2)There is masses of advice on here. (What worked for us was enforcing a routine, even though you don't think the pup is getting it, just do the routine you want and be consistent . Yelling ouch etc never worked for us- it just made her more hyper).
Time out in the boring hallway was the only thing that hit home for us. And we had to do that for months. 30seconds, then 1minute, then 1min 30. 3 strikes and you're in your bedroom for a sleep.
Or WE would leave the room. In the very moment she bit. Everyone in the room. All at once. It was not a relaxing time. We spent many an evening standing in the hall with a glass of wine while the film we were watching played to itself and the dog.
I really think ours was about as bad as they get (apart from her evil twin Leo haha-read her posts too!)
However, our now nearly adult dog- while still very much opinionated and feisty at times-is not a biter. She absolutely loves people. And cuddles!!!!!
I (of course supervise) but no longer feel dread when our little 2year old granddaughter comes round. She hugs and strokes Inca and they love being together. Inca will let her take her ball, brush her and genuinely likes to be around the little one. Our 7 year old grandson who is terrified of dogs loves her now, and makes a fuss of her with confidence that she is safe to handle.
Although it is a slightly double edged sword, Inca's mild guarding tendencies show themselves most with the children. A massive Staffie slipped its collar the other day and was bounding towards the two year old and our little cocker saw it off in no uncertain terms and then stood in front of the toddler until it was gone. She loves the children, and all people. She will usually go to the human for a cuddle first, before even saying hello to their dog.
Acceptance of the nightmare was a thing for us. We were not expecting to have to deal with that level of behaviour but once we accepted that that was what she was like and we were going to have to deal with it I think that helped.
Patience. Try not to get angry- keep calm.(I've shouted at my dog, don't worry-were all human but try not to- they seem to be so hyper sensitive that changes in tone rile them up)
Consistency. (Even though it looks like it's not going in-just carry on with your plan). Try and develop the ability to look at your dog and laugh and say 'you idiot'.
Give yourself a break now and then.
Wine.
Did I mention wine?
I have come to realise that cockers on line is a drinking club with a dog obsession!
Clothing: skinny jeans and thick tops only for the frst year!
Make yourself the best thing In your dog's world. Eventually the dogs love for you will win out.
Hang in there with your shredded clothes and upside down life...it will get better.
It will. Honestly.
