Hi,

We have rehomed a 1 year old Cav Spaniel and it's going ok. However today she has bit me on the back of the leg when I got home.

I popped out to do some chores and was gone for about 40 mins and when i came back she really started jumping up at me (more than she has , but this is a seperate issue). I tried the folding of the arms and ignoring her but she still continued jumping at me. So i turned around with my back to leave the room and she went for the back of my leg and growled !!!

I was so shocked that I put her out in the garden without saying anything to her and no eye contact. My son is really put off by her jumping (as i posted in a previous thread) but have promised him it WILL get better in time, and it's because she is excited etc and still young. Luckily the children were at school and did not witness this.

Normally when i come home from being out she jumps but not much, but today has deflated me really. Can anyone help or advise me.
Thanks

Sounds like attention seeking and I would think you did the right thing to put her out to calm down. But no doubt the experienced people will come on soon.

BAD idea to walk away from her! Though what you did next was excellent, especially if in doing htat she made no attempt to bite you.

Next time just stand still, arms folded and ignore her until she calms down. Turning your back and walking aways can stimulate an excited dog's prey drive (yes, even in a little Cav!) or it could be an attention seeking thing she's developed in her previous home.

Now that the cooler days are coming in, I would purchase a crate.  Get one with plenty of room, put her bedding, favourite toys etc in it with a few treats although dont shut her in until she gets used to it and then only for short periods.  If she is naughty like nipping, put her in her crate for "time out".  Ten or so minutes and when you let her out, dont fuss her.  Some take longer than others to adapt to crates so be patient.  Cover it with an old blanket/tablecloth etc so that it is like a little den and DONT let the children in it with her.  It must be her own special place to go to.  Also put it in a quiet part of the living room/kitchen etc.

How hard did she bite, was it just a nip or did she draw blood?  If you dont know what happened in her previous home it is hard to judge just how she was "played" with.  Some idiots think it is fun to encourage a dog by kicking out at it so you are probably dealing with someone elses mistakes.  If you have small children just keep an eye on them with her.  She may just see you as another playmate but she does need to learn like all youngsters that there are limits in her household and she must not go over them.

Good luck.

Neeve

Hi, I'd say don't put her in the crate for time-out when she nips, because the crate should never be used as a place for punishment as she will come to hate the crate because it is associated with punishment.  So - give her time out by leaving the room, not by shutting her in the crate.