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Hello- i am new to this site and really need some advice. We got Floyd, a 3 yr old entire springer last March from a friend who was moving and could not take him. He was not only our first springer, but our first dog. We are smitten!! Sadly, aggressive tendancies have surfaced and we have witnessed growling, lunging and a bite from him. We employed a behaviourist who diagnosed "dominance aggression" and whilst we have dealt with many of his issues we have failed to stamp out the unwanted aggression. He bit my husband last month while he went to put his lead on and has been aggressive to us since. Our confidence has just gone. After much heartache we have had to make the decision to let him go. Our vet even suggested getting him put down but we could not cope with that thought and managed to find a man in England (NEESSRC) to take him.....i cannot thank him enough. He leaves on Sunday....dreading it.
We would dearly love another springer but wonder if we are just setting ourselves up for a fall.....is this aggression normal? Should we go for a working / show springer , male or female? Should we go to a KC breeder or are the ads on eg Gumtree or the paper OK to follow up? And has anyone ever heard of springer rage?
We know training plays a major part and we feel we have got a lot of knowledge in us now to train a pup properly but we cannot go through this again....honest feedback and advice on this breed would be really appreciated....looking forward to hearing from some of you....
Julia

My heart goes out to you and the situation you are in. Im really not experienced enough to give proper advice, as i only have 1 springer. I have heard of springer rage but i didn't think it was common.

All i can say is from what i know of my Angel and the other springers i have met - I have not met an aggressive one - im not saying that 99.9% of springers are cuddly just those that i have met. Im sure like all other breeds certain dogs have certain issues.

There are some really knowledgable people on this site (many work for various springer rescues). Im sure they will be along shortly to reassure you - but keep checking this post as some are night owls!

My thoughts are with you and keep checking this site

Sam and Angel

Springers in my opinion are the most intelligent and friendliest dogs going but as with any dog needs to be treated and shown the right way, (best from a pup!) But my advise to anyone who is thinking of getting a springer is to know everything about the breed before even contemplating getting one due the exercise and training that they need, And after watching that programme on bbc one I would only get one off a reputable breeded if u know all the ins and outs of its breeding, Personally.. my 2 year old "rescue dog molly" is the nicest, friendlies loving dog ive ever met!
"So dont rule out a rescue dog??.."

Julia, I really feel for you and your family, and of course Floyd

It is such a shame you have had such a bad experience with your first dog and springer. Many behavioural problems can be attributed to medical conditions, though your behaviourist would probably have advised you go through all the necessary -*test*-('")s - bloods etc to rule that out as it is common and fixable.

Springers are a really great breed that respond well to consistent, kind, postive training. I'm not sure what advice you had from your behaviourist on how to deal with Floyd, but generally a 'dominance aggression' diagnosis would include stuff about you being 'pack leader' and 'dominanting' the dog - if this was the case it really wouldn't be needed with another new dog as building a close relationship based on repsect and trust would be important for you any any new dog you took on.

I wish you well in your search Julia, there are a lot of dogs requiring homes through many rescues on this forum, and pups do occasionally come up, although I feel that it would be important to match the right temperament of dog with yourself and your family after the heartache you must be suffering over Floyd.

x

It's sad to read your story, all the springers I know are kind and loving, but that's not to say they all are. My firast dog was a Lab Murphy, because their family dogs. I love him to bits, but I wouldn't get another one. Maybe try meeting more springers to see how different they came be.

I wish you luck, keep us posted.

My opinion for what it's worth, would be to take your time in decision making, have some time out "dogless" too and give yourself time to grieve; because grieve you will.

When you can look at the situation rationally, then and only then consider if you want a dog, if so what breed you want, puppy or older (more settled?) then find someone you can trust who will NOT be supplying the dog to go with you and advise you on dogs you see, whether in rescue or rehoming centres. Make several visits, see how you get on if the centre is amenable to "trials" ask if you can have the dog on a trial basis but only when you feel confident and 100% sure he's the right dog for you should you take on your next dog.

Good luck

excellent advise fifer.. and i forgot to say you made a hard but right decision for the dog and im pleased u found someone suitable to take him on.

Good luck. x

Right i am going to be brutally honest here!
We bought a spaniel from someone that had only had her 3 weeks (she was 11 weeks when we got her), we have had her for 5/6 weeks now.
They had decided to sell her as they had 2 older dogs and they didnt take to her.
She didnt know any commands and still had a couple of days to go before she was officially allowed out.
When we got her home we soon found out that she had a serious problem with food aggression.She would try to block you with her head then she would growl and then she would face you off and snarl.
We have worked hard with her and what a difference there is now, i still wouldnt trust her with my son and food yet, but she will sit and wait until you tell her she is allowed it and you can keep your hand in the bowl and move it about no problem.
Not long after we got her i grabbed her collar and told her off and without any warning whatsover she bit me and i am not talking about a nip!
At the moment we have a problem with her running behind the tv and sofas and if you try to grab her she will growl at you. Its not safe for her at the back of the tv with the wires so we took advice from people on here and we blocked off the no go areas and i have to say what a difference.
We have worked hard with our training and tried to make things fun for her and us,i think (fingers crossed) she is now starting to trust us.
She is our first spaniel as well.
Try not to be put off and good luck with finding a new puppy.

I just don't know what to say

How very sad, where is Floyd going to, it must be so hard



Take a lot of time out before deciding whats best for you.

I heard an account from “da vet” today. Dog taken in by owners with a request to be pts because of aggression. Vet examined dog with a muzzle on. Fit and healthy but had a big problem with its ears being handled (nothing wrong with its ears – read into that what you like). Muzzle off – and dog wanted a cuddle with the vet! 90 minutes later, dog re-homed to a regular client who has multiple dogs.

Robbie (the oldie) has grabbed me a few times – he’s old and senile, but it does make me think twice. I can understand that you’re wary. Have a chat with Selina before Sunday

I dunno if a new puppy is the way forward. How long have you had Floyd ?

A puppy will be hard work and he / she may not be the dog you had in mind. Springer are loving/cuddly and most are devoted to pleasing their owners but on the other hand they need LOADS of exercise, pull your arms out of there sockets, can have recall problems, can catch rabbits and other small animals, puppies will chew,pee and poo in the house.

When I got mine I was under no allusions. I was very prepared to have 2 dogs that kinda act like puppies all their lives.

I love all Springers trates. All I can suggest is, make sure you know what your letting yourself in for, read this forum, there are some really helpful posts on here.

By the sound of your post Floyd's new home is a good one where he will hopefully be happy. My heart goes out to you. Mine have never even growled at me and I'm not sure how I would cope if they did...scary ...i would imagine.

This is a very sad story as at best the dog is going to have to cope with a third new home in a short space of time.
Spaniels are the most wonderful pets, but you have to respect thier need for discharging lots of energy and the need for a strong pack leader. A well disciplined spaniel is a sight to behold.

The first thing I want to say is why was this dog never castrated? You mention him still being intact.

Plese don't think about having another pup until you have been dogless for a while. A new pup in the house needs a lot of proeparation and many hours of time in the first months. You need to be ready for this.
Also, spaniels are not the right dogs for everyone. They do need a lot of excercise, and you can't miss a single day.

The best of luck with the re homing of Floyd and with whatever decision you make in the future.

How sad
It does sound like you really tried though.

I have never experienced dog aggression (well except with a staff of ours that was dog aggressive but loved people) but all the spaniels I have had (3 working and 1 show) have been super friendly and loving. same with all the springers i have met, although have met one aggressive cocker. And all mine were older rescue, and with some background unknown.

I think you've had some good advice on here, and good luck

How really sad for you. Can't imagine how you are feeling right now. However we have had Bella from a pup (she is 1yr old now) and we are still struggling with some problems. We got her from a friend so I know she was never badly treated, rather the opposite as the dog was for my son who has learning difficulties so my friend gave her extra attention. However while have never had any aggressive problems towards any of the family and we can take items and food from her when needed she is very fearful and nervous with strangers. we have tried everything to try to make her more confident, classes training etc but it still continues as a problem and we have to be very careful when we meet people for the first time as she will snap if they put their hands out to her. Within minutes she will be fine with them but she must make the first move. In my view springers are great dogs but they do seem more highly strung than some other breeds and as others have said they really do need their exercise. Good luck in the future