Biting at my legs and ripping my clothes.

[Blueberry]

  Blue has ruined countless pairs of my trousers by jumping up at the backs of my legs when walking and biting my legs and clothes.  Usually he just comes away with a mouth full of trouser, but occasionally he has also nipped my flesh.
I planned to take him out for a walk just now, he didn't want to go, so laid down in the road  (another fairly common occurrence).  When I put him on his feet and attempted to walk on, he starts the jumping and biting, and has ripped my trousers, forcing me to abandon the idea of a walk.
Folding arms and walking away has no effect whatsoever - he follows and continues to bite, and obviously isn't practical when out and about.  At home I can do a 'time out', although it doesn't seem to be having much effect.  It's beyond a joke, and I'm getting fed up of it.  Suggestions gratefully received.

[Mudmagnets]

Wellington boots (nothing fancy - just common solid rubber wellies that come a decent way up the leg - say to the knee) they may not stop the habit - altho might if he gets no reaction to his biting the back of legs - but it will save lots of pairs of trousers until he has grown out of it.

[Blueberry]

He jumps and bites.  Today's trousers have been ripped at the top of my thigh.  Wellies would not help, unfortunately.

[Mudmagnets]

He jumps and bites.  Today's trousers have been ripped at the top of my thigh.  Wellies would not help, unfortunately.

Blimey!! In that case, concrete wellies for him - so he can't jump 

[lescef]

Maybe it's time to get a positive behaviourist to help. Do you go to puppy classes where you can ask for help?

[Blueberry]

We do go to puppy class with a positive behaviourist, but it is very basic training, and the trainer does not allow time for owners to ask for help on specific issues.  The doors open bang on time, and there is a second class waiting to come in when we leave.  I go mainly to get the opportunity for Blue to socialise with the other puppies.
Home visits are available at extra cost, and it may well come to that.  It's a business, at the end of the day, and I suppose he has had years of fending off the same old questions from hundreds of owners.
Must say I am feeling somewhat disheartened.  It seems to be one problem after another, and just now puppy ownership is not proving to be the joyful affair I anticipated.  (Today's ripped trousers were new, only the second time I've worn them!)

[bizzylizzy]

Humphrey used to do this a lot, in fact he still has a tendency to jump when excited but it is getting better. Try and be prepared  and if you can, dodge out of the way, fending him off with your body. Don't scold, infact try not to say anything(easier said than done!)  try not to give him any eye contact at all and fold your arms so your body language tells him you're ignoring him. He's basically looking for attention and you need to make him realize that's not the way to get it!
Have you done any lead training to get him to walk with you? like encouraging him by holding a treat at your side just infront of his nose - walk a few steps, treat and praise and then a few more steps.
There are quite a few videos online that might help and maybe someone else on here will have some other advice aswell. Don't worry, we've all been there at some time or other, I got quite depressed, I so wanted to be a perfect "mum" and have the perfect dog but then realized my stress was working against me. Try and keep a sense of humour, put on your oldest trousers to go out in, the more relaxed you are the better Blue will respond. It WILL get better, I promise!  Might also be an idea to look around for another trainer that will treat each dog individually! 

[Mudmagnets]

We do go to puppy class with a positive behaviourist, but it is very basic training, and the trainer does not allow time for owners to ask for help on specific issues.  The doors open bang on time, and there is a second class waiting to come in when we leave.  I go mainly to get the opportunity for Blue to socialise with the other puppies.
Home visits are available at extra cost, and it may well come to that.  It's a business, at the end of the day, and I suppose he has had years of fending off the same old questions from hundreds of owners.
Must say I am feeling somewhat disheartened.  It seems to be one problem after another, and just now puppy ownership is not proving to be the joyful affair I anticipated.  (Today's ripped trousers were new, only the second time I've worn them!)

Genuinely sorry you are feeling so let down atm, puppies are not as easy as their little fur jackets and cuteness make you believe  are they? and it is true to say that some have more problems than others. I know it is not funny really and I apologise for the concrete welly comment if it upset you at all.

 Could you find a new training school? as I do think you should be able to approach the trainer and ask questions. Our trainer is also a professional but she always has time after class has finished to answer any questions, particularly the puppy classes.

[MIN]

we are used to cockerdiles but you seemed to have found a cockeroo .  sending 

[Blueberry]

No, wasn't upset by the concrete welly comment MM, don't fret!
Bizzylizzy, that's exactly it, I so want it all to go swimmingly, maybe I'm projecting my anxiety or trying to control too much.  I don't know.
The dog trainer has an enormous reputation and is the only one I know of locally.  (Ex military police dog handler and guide dogs for the blind trainer).  He's known as the dog whisperer!  I don't think I could do better.  There's just no time for questions at the end of class, we are in from 6-7 and the next class comes in from 7-8, so we are out of the door promptly to allow the next class in.
I will have to ask how much the home visits cost, maybe a couple of sessions needed to help me get back on track.  (Got to be cheaper than new trousers every week!)
At least he's sleeping a bit better - getting up at 4  & 6 now.

[tenaille]

hmmm, its probably not that uncommon, Martha seems to be doing it to me when she is excited. Probably the best thing you can do in the short term is wear an old pair of jeans or suchlike then at least you don't get stressed over the clothes damage.
I have found that the best way to stop Martha jumping and nipping the trousers is to firmly tell her to sit, its the command she knows best and she always responds to. It just seems to break the cycle of jumping, shouting and whatever - she just sits and gets a treat, then off we go calmly. Best of luck, they do grow out of these behaviours.

[pipkoi]

Have you seen this thread

http://www.cockersonline.co.uk/discuss/index.php?topic=117255.0;topicseen

Maybe worth chatting to Archie's Mum

[daw]

I know you have struggled with Blue from the first...they do grow out of these things and much else-  to be honest surely it's easier to wear old things around your puppy than get so bothered by a pair of trousers?  But why don't you try consulting a good behaviourist for some one to one help? This is a very young vulnerable little animal that is following its instincts during a period of rapid growth and change. Get some proper help so you and Blue can enjoy each other rather than have everything being a battle of wills.

[Londongirl]

I follow a Facebook group run by positive behaviourist trainers and they often say ex-police dog handlers are not always well suited to training pet dogs. We went to a trainer who trains Cockers to be explosive dogs. Looking back, I didn't learn anything useful in his puppy classes, and some things I now flat out disagree with. And yet he's the local guru. Something to think about if you're considering some one-on-one help.

I remember being really very depressed about life with a puppy when Henry was a similar age and I do wish I'd been a member of this forum then. I also remember the biting and nipping really peaking before it started to diminish. I have an entire wardrobe of puppy jeans, the only thing I could wear for months without worrying about rips and tears.

I agree with Bizzylizzy that incorporating some training into the walk might help. Get his attention on something else before he starts his shenanigans. You can try throwing a treat a little bit behind, then click and treat again the moment he reaches your side again. Repeat and repeat. It's a great game that also helps teach nice walking and that good things happen when he's focusing on you calmly.

Good luck. It DOES get better. Some of them just take a bit longer than others. 

[lescef]

If you are anxious then it does 'go down the lead'. It is important that you stay calm and in charge (in a positive way.)
It's usually recommended that if you have an undesirable behaviour then teach the dog what you want it to do instead, so the suggestions mentioned - find treats, sit, watch etc are good things to teach him instead. So, practice at home, then short walks asking for the new behaviour. Take your time and don't budge until you get it, reward then move on. Maddie is very slow to obey commands and I ofter have to wait until she cooperates.
I never wear good clothes anymore except when I go out!

In your previous posts i think you mentioned that your husband didn't really want a dog. Maybe you're trying too hard, understandably, to get it right.  Be kind to yourself. X