My cock-a-poo is 1.5 years old. He is timid by nature and takes time to adjust to new people and situations. Lately he's been nipping (not actually biting (yet) but making the motion to nip) whenever he's in a stressful situation. It has even happened with him snapping at my 5 year old. He's always been a very 'oral' dog -- even in play he still wants to use his mouth much like he did as a puppy. We're trying to modify his play routine to prevent situations where he can mouth us in play as I know this in not deisrable. I'm taking him back for more obedience training since we kind of flunked puppy school but I'm wondering just how much we can change this behaviour. He comes by his timidness via his father (we know one of his littermates and she's also very shy, minus the nipping), plus I've been told some of this can be attributed to the cocker in him. So how much success can I hope for given the genetic and breed issues? He's a lovely dog in many ways, but I can't have a nipper in the house..... Any suggestions ?? - I don't want to give up on him.

The trouble is that people who breed this kind of cross are not interested in the dogs they use for the breeding just the money they can ask. But it would be better to forget the cross and just try to deal with the problem, as biting is involved I would suggest you try and find a APDT trainer who will come to your home and look at the problem. With situations as worring as yours it is best not to offer help on line as it is not possible understand without seeing.

If children were not involved you may be able to avoid the situation where he is getting upset, but with children you can't take the risk.

Thanks Jackie, and I cannot stress enough the importance of thoroughly researching parentage of your puppy before making a commitment to him. Also purchasing your dog from a reputable breeder who is not simply motivated by money but wants to offer the best dog possible is the only way to go.

Hi Puppylove, I was not having a go, no point now, the deed is done and you have other problems on your hands to deal with. Have you looked at the link I gave you, most the trainers are very good and should be honest with you. Do hope you can get it sorted.

Trouble is when you try to tell people not to get this type of dog, they think you are just saying don't for some devious reason of our own, not true, we just care.