I’m not sure I understand how this translates to “Don’t go to a trainer.” Professional training assistance is one of the things a responsible dog owner does to learn how to control their dogs.
I am a bit leery of “behaviourists” and such, though; I get the distinct sense that pet behaviour is a pseudoscience. Our dog’s breeder provided us with a much-hyped behavioural analysis that was 90% canine Forer effect and, in the one specific thing it said (“the dog is not very food motivated”) was hilariously false. To say Benny is not food motivated is akin to saying the Atlantic Ocean is not wet.
What if this dog gets loose? I HATE cocker spaniels because when I was a kid, the neighbor’s two spaniels got loose and terrorized me in my own yard. I was always afraid of them because they’d bark when I rode my bike, but when they got loose they backed me up to the garage door barking and nipping at me. My screaming brought my dad running out of the house and he kicked those fuckers away from me. I don’t know what would’ve happened if he hadn’t been home.
They’re probably why I’m a cat person. I amazingly do like dogs. My cousins grew up with them so whenever I’d go over we’d play with their always well-behaved dogs (probably saved me from hating dogs), and I’ve dogsat for friends and other relatives. But I don’t want one, and if I see a cocker spaniel I head the other direction.
This dog is too unpredictable. It’s not worth it. I was six or seven when those spaniels got out. I’m 52 now and I can vividly recall what happened. I’m in tears just thinking about it. Those things still scare me. Don’t let this happen to another kid.
The OP hasn’t been seen in this thread since late on the 13th, a few hours after the thread began. So I suspect we’re talking to each other now.
Something I didn’t take notice of earlier: The title of the thread really says it all. Her (OP’s) summary of the situation is: “Out of control biting dog - advice?” Pithy and to the point.
The answer of course is “Human must regain control”. “Out of control” and “animal in town” don’t go together.
I wonder if the OP will have the courage of our convictions? Maybe her friend, a regular member, will keep us posted.
Sometimes, it isn’t possible. As I was told by more than one of my vets, some dogs are just “wired wrong” and they can’t be fixed by training.
I haven’t read the whole thread through, but there’s also a disorder that cocker spaniels can have called “rage syndrome” or some such (I note that you say he doesn’t have it, but has he been assessed?). When I was a small child, we had a cocker spaniel that had it and who had to be put down after he “went mental” once too often and after he’d bitten every child in the neighbourhood he had a go at me.
I’m for training, but sometimes a dog isn’t “right” and you can’t fix them. You need professional vet advice as to whether it is the case with any particular animal but from what you describe, his behaviour doesn’t seem remotely normal, even for a puppy/young dog.
It is a very difficult decision to have a “healthy” dog put down, but if this dog is making your life a misery, then it is an option. Healthy doesn’t just mean physically. A dog that has severe behavioural issues is not only unhealthy, but a potential danger.
I have a dog with very poor impulse control and poor bite inhibition who is dog-aggressive and doesn’t like people that much either. He is a HUGE PROBLEM. He takes constant monitoring. And I mean constant. I have been sued twice and lost both times (VERY EXPENSIVE), but he has bitten strangers on five occasions (he is 11 now). I spent thousands of dollars and hundreds of hours in remedial training. It only helped marginally, and believe me, a dog who bites has NO margin. NONE. You have a timebomb.
My dog loves his family with a deathless love and would never harm them. He was super easy to train (except for that impulsive gotta kill that thing he has), and has the best sense of humor of any dog I’ve owned. He’s a prince of a dog with one really dangerous awful quirk. Your dog on the other hand sounds psychotic. A spaniel that doesn’t care about your feelings? Something really wrong there.
Despite what some believe, not every dog deserves a loving home. Too many really good dogs going begging out there for that.