New puppy- reassurance requested please!

[AmyC]

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Hi,
Currently sitting with 14 week old cocker spaniel in his crate in the next room. Feeling awful and like we've done the wrong thing by getting a puppy We've never had a dog before and didn't know about the 'zoomies'/crazy moments. He spends so much time leaping at our heads to bite us when we sit on the sofa. It is getting painful now. We've done a lot of reading and trying to keep him busy with fun training and lots of praise when he's being good but the biting is getting worse we've had to resort to the crate. It's awful. Please can someone reassure us that he'll get over the biting?? Any tips also much appreciated please!

 

[JoanneF]

Puppies are like toddlers, when they get tired they don't know how to calm themselves. We have something on mouthing here, as well as other helpful advice but please do ask if anything seems unclear or doesn't suit your circumstances.

Useful Links & Recommended Reading

 

[JudyN]

Yes, it is normal, and it's very hard work - when mine was a pup my arms were a mess and I wondered what on earth I'd done. It does get better, I promise. Hopefully the links JoanneF has mentioned will help.

 

[excuseme]

You mention he is sitting in his cage in the room next to you.
Why is he in a cage when you are at home with him? He could be over excited after being let out of his cage, our dogs are not designed to live in cages, socializing and growing with the family as a member should be more normal.
What is his routine with you each day, how does he spend his days and nights on a daily basis.
We have 7 Cocker Spaniels that all live in the house with us and had them all from puppies, I do not remember ever having the "Zoomies" or the nipping problem either.
I have heard of a lot of people having this problem while their puppy is growing up, and that they do grow out of it.
What type of house and garden do you have.

 

[Cath S]

I had exactly the same with my puppy. He is 16 months old now and just has the occasional zoomie. He used to go mental as jump up and rip my clothes - I used to call him devil dog (just to myself) I found there was no way to really stop him but just to get out of the way and let him get it out of his system. I live in a flat so we had and still have baby gates. When he is on one which is rare these days we just stand the other side of the gate and let him get it out of his system - it lasts a few mins tops. I had the major puppy blues around this time and wondered what I had done! He is part of the family now and wouldn’t have it any other way

 

[JoanneF]

He is 16 months old now and just has the occasional zoomie

So does Timber and he is 12. While part of me adores that he does it at that age, an even bigger part of me goes into full panic in case he injures himself.

 

[Ari_RR]

My 2 cents - sitting on the sofa is overrated! unless you are seniors and really need to rest, my tip would be to forget sitting on the sofa for a while, and just spend time with the little devil.
Not only they grow out of zoomies/biting/crazy - they grow out of all this way too fast, and so now is the time to enjoy the wild ride AND at the same time to shape his grown-up personality.
Forget the sofa! Forget the crate! Get long sleeves and pants on, and a hat if you have to, get of the floor, and romp with the monster! he looks super cute on the pic.

 

[Scraggle]

My pup is 16 weeks now and we're finally getting somewhere with the biting especially now he can get a reasonable walk and off lead blast - but he still has his moments.

There's always plenty of "what have I done" moments with a puppy and a lot of pressure too I think to get it right.