I have an 8 week old cocker who ive had a week. I lost my previous cocker at 11yrs just 4months ago and he was very good, never bit or chewed even as a pup!! So im a little lost and feeling novice this time!!

I no its normal for puppies to nibble/bite and chew but im concerned that  this behaviour will stick. Pup has plenty of toys and chewthings but he much prefers trouser legs and shoes.

We're obviously trying to distract with his toys and put away shoes and altho weve only had him a week i want to try and crack the behaviour early. Having never had this with my previous dog im not sure how to deal with it so any advice would be much appreciated.

I do have a puppy book but sonetimes real life advice is better x

Puppies do chew I'm afraid. They find out about things with their mouths in the same way human babies do. I was lucky with my last dog in that she wasn't a chewer as such and took it out on the other dog who was only a year older.
Give your pup lots of different things to chew. Have just visited a litter and the owner said that the pups were ignoring the nice cuddly soft toys and making a beeline for hard things like a large plastic lemonade bottle, a solid lump of wood and a plastic dog bed. Normally I would say no to lumps of wood because of splinters etc, but if the pup is not making an impression on it as an older dog would, then a bit of hard wood for a while will be ok. Just make sure it hasn't had any treatments or paint applied. Distraction techniques work for a while of course, but those flapping trouser legs are so tempting. There is a good piece on the net from Ian Dunbar about puppy biting and chewing, I expect someone will come along and link you to the piece. A tip from my first GR's breeder. If you have any pairs of denim jeans you are about to chuck out, cut off a leg, tie a knot in the middle and give that to your pup to munch on. It worked well with my three GR's and I shall try it again with my next pup.

There is advice by Ian Dunbar called " the bite stops here" that you can find online.

Shortly he will be teething and at those times I give the pup a frozen tea towel to chew on, get 3 old/cheap tea towels, roll each one length ways and put a knot in either end, wet under the tap, wring out and freeze, give one at a time to the pup till no longer frozen and then replace it, I find these give hours of fun as well as soothing sore gums.

Thanks jody ill look up that piece later x

Thanks rhodach. I was just worried that giving clothes etc was giving pup the idea it was ok to chew clothes and he would take things that werent his!? He keeps chewing shoes but dont want to give him an old shoe for the same reason?

Hello barneybear, I too have a chewer whereas none of my others had been.  This is my story.  I used to wear a pair of track suit bottoms that everyone loathed accept me.  The puppy destroyed them so I went back to my faithful jeans.  Chewing of trousers stopped but still went for my feet.  I was wearing flip-flops that squeaked but when I put ones on that didn't squeak the chewing stopped.  Now she loves her squeaky toys especially the Mr Snuggles range and a squeaky ball.

Unfortunatly mine doesnt care wot trousers!! He also goes for any shoes ans slippers whether on feet or off!!  Maybe i should get more toys and have some in each room and hallway?

Also where do u get this mr snuggles range-ill have a look

I have been using this technique for years and passed it on to friends and puppy buyers, not had any problems with them choosing any other cloth item, they soon learn what is theirs,I am very careful that only puppy safe items are within reach.

Was your pup given free access to his dam/other adults till the day he came home to you, they normally teach manners re excessive biting as do litter mates.

Well thats interesting thanks. He was away from his mum a week but still in his litter of 8.
Im trying to keep other stuff away but with a 10 and 3 yr old its not always happening altho thetre being very good. Ill give it a go, thanks x

Here's a link to the article: http://www.pattesdouces.ca/acces_clients/dog_bite.htm

Thanks goldalmi, interesting article.

My new puppy has a stag bar she's very fond of, she chews it for ages.

Her teeth are just falling out, and each time she has something she shouldn't we swap it for the stag bar....

Charliebrown, whats a star bag and where did u get it?

Stagbars are sawn sections of deer antler (they're shed naturally each year so no need to worry that a deer has been harmed!); you can get them at Pets at Home or on the net. Stag bars

It's part of an antler cut into various sizes for your size dog. It's very hard and doesn't go soggy and nasty....all my dogs have them.

I bought my last ones from Pets at Home.

Wow wasnt expecting that answer! Its ok for young pups?

I believe so....mine have all had them as young puppies because they're around from the older ones. I can't imagine there's much to harm them.

Thanks jeangenie and charliebrown, he seems to really like his new stag bar!

Unfortunately, there has been warnings from vets about giving these stag bars to dogs.

There has been an increase in broken teeth and other dental problems since they became a popular 'treat' for dogs.

Here is just one.

http://www.labradorforums.co.uk/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=104548

Thanks for the advice flojo. Im allowing my pup to have it as hes still small with not a strong bite and he is generally supervised all the time at the mo but ill take the advice on board and monitor it x