I am new to this website but would like some advice.  I have a 9 week old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppy.  She has settled in really well since we have had her, since 7 weeks.  She does play bit but over the last 2 days it has got worse.  She growls when I have tried to take something off her or when she gets excited she growls and bits me quite hard, and will continue to do this even when I either  cry "Ouch" or "No", seeming to get even more excited. Have you got any suggestions of how I can stop this behaviour?

She is playing ;) If you watch puppies in a litter playing they will all do this. My two who are now 5 and 6 play growl when they are holding each end of a tug rope :)

You are doing excatly the right thing by saying ouch or off . Another good trick is to distract her with another toy so she gets used to letting go without a battle :)

Thanks for that.  I thought that she might be showing some aggression.

7 weeks was slightly early to get her as most breeders will not let puppies go to new homes until at least 8 weeks. Time with the litter mates is an important time for development for a puppy as they learn alot of boundries by playing with their siblings and mother.

I am sure she will be fine. If you have any issues that get worse then the best bet is to talk things through with your breeder as they should be available for advice on any training issues you have.

Most toy breeds don't leave home before they are 12 weeks & during the extra time do learn manners via their mother. My Rjj has never nipped or offered to growl etc, I got him at 13 weeks old & he was with his mum until the day before I got him-he's a Border Collie & they are usually quite nippy as puppies.

Cavaliers are incredibly quick on the uptake if corrected the right way & as they are people dogs, saying ouch & moving away teaches them that if they nip they get left, so not to nip is good. It will get better believe me, the growling is not aggression btw just dog noise that they make when they are enjoying themselves, my GSDs used to sound like they were killing each other when they were in full play mode.

Cavaliers as adults have soft mouths like other spaniels & gundog breeds so teaching them not to nip you is very important

The link is very good BTW

Moonmaiden, I'm sure you've said before and I've missed it, but how is Rjj pronounced? I'm guessing 'Rye' but am probably wrong! :o

I've always wondered that too - I'd imagined it as 'Raj' ??? :)

I have been reading it as Ar jay jay.

I always thought of it as initials R J J - oh dear. What language is it?

Think I might be on to something...

Roy Junior Junior pronounced Rjeez.

Did I do alright?

>Roy Junior Junior pronounced Rjeez.

Spot on his father is called Roy & his breeder is called Roy LOLOLOLOL :-D

Google can do amazing things can't it. ;-) :-D

Is that often said with emphasis on the last syllable

R - jeez!!!! LOL (would be for my little clown)

ROFLMAO
It is sometimes I must admit ;-)

This will explain about this stage and about how to reduce it to acceptable levels:
http://www.jersey.net/~mountaindog/berner1/bitestop.htm

Thanks for all the information, really useful.