Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi,
I am also new here. I started poking around on the internet for information on cocker spaniels being aggressive. I have a black/tan 6 yr old male cocker named Ross. I have had him since he was 5 months old. He was and has been the sweetest dog in the world. However about a year ago when me and my husband seperated he started showing signs of aggression he first started when Ross and my husband were playing around on the ground and my husband was pretending to bite his ear. Totally my husbands fault. However Ross did draw blood. Then this past easter weekend I left Ross and my 2 yr old in the living room for a minute when I heard the baby scream and came out to see my son with a huge cut under his eye and down his cheek. Then this past weekend I took one of my sons toys away from the dog and he tried to attack me tore my shirt but wasnt able to actually bite me. He has always had a problem with possesive agression, always reluctant to let us take things away from him, starts growling and showing his teeth. I cannot have this around my son. I love Ross with all my heart, he was my first son. But he no longer understands I am the master and he is the dog. I dont know if its too late to change this behavior and I have no idea what to do. SOMEONE please help!! I dont want to give him to a shelter, and shutter at the thought of putting him down. I need to find a rescue group or experienced cocker owner who are willing to take this on.

I'm sorry I really don't know what to say regarding your post. Very few if any shelters will take a dog with a bite history. The liability is just too much to take on.

Your dog needs the help of a behavior specialist who can see and evaluate your dog in person. This sadly is something that really can't be dealt with online. I'm sorry.
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Chelle and the rest of the crew including, but not limited to Kita and Taiko (the shiba inu wrestle maniacs), Adi (reserved and dignified tabby cat), and all 28 reptiles

Here is what I would do if you want to keep him. I don't think any rescue would take him because of the liability, I agree with Chelle about rehoming him. It would be a big liability, and I doubt any shelters would take him with a bite history.

First- get a certified behaviorist to assess the situation to see if something can be done. I would do that before doing anything right now. Yes it is costly, but it would be even more costly if he bites again and breaks the skin and causes damage to you or your family members.

Are you practicing NILIF (Nothing in Life is Free) with him? Basically what it is is a technique used to get your 'status' back in the 'pack' through positive reinforcement and for making him work for high reward items as well as need items (such as food, walks, treats, the bed, etc.) I would keep him separated from your son for a couple of weeks until this training meathod is enforced. The only thing he needs is basic obedience training (know how to sit, lay down, stay, etc)
Did you get him from a breeder? I know it's been 6 years, but you could call them and ask if any of your dog's sisters/brothers/mom/dad have had any aggression problems and what they did to correct it.
I would get him a crate, and have him sleep in there and be in there if you cannot watch him- I wouldn't have him sleep on the bed because that indicates status. I wouldn't leave a child alone with any dog- even if they're known to be gentle, but that's just me.

Good Luck!

P.S. We have a tips/training chat on Monday nights in the Dog Den, if you would like to discuss NILIF further, you can find me there

Here are some good links:

www.k9deb.com/nilif.htm

(site for cairn terriers, but the training can be applied to any dog)
www.cairnrescue.com/docs/NILIF.htm

www.ozarkdogs.com/nilif.htm
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Laura and Daisy

>>Hi,
>>I am also new here. I started poking around on the internet for information on cocker spaniels being aggressive. I have a black/tan 6 yr old male cocker named Ross. I have had him since he was 5 months old. He was and has been the sweetest dog in the world. However about a year ago when me and my husband seperated he started showing signs of aggression he first started when Ross and my husband were playing around on the ground and my husband was pretending to bite his ear. Totally my husbands fault. However Ross did draw blood. Then this past easter weekend I left Ross and my 2 yr old in the living room for a minute when I heard the baby scream and came out to see my son with a huge cut under his eye and down his cheek. Then this past weekend I took one of my sons toys away from the dog and he tried to attack me tore my shirt but wasnt able to actually bite me. He has always had a problem with possesive agression, always reluctant to let us take things away from him, starts growling and showing his teeth. I cannot have this around my son. I love Ross with all my heart, he was my first son. But he no longer understands I am the master and he is the dog. I dont know if its too late to change this behavior and I have no idea what to do. SOMEONE please help!! I dont want to give him to a shelter, and shutter at the thought of putting him down. I need to find a rescue group or experienced cocker owner who are willing to take this on.

>>>>>>>>>>>

I agree with the other two answers, considering the dog has actually bitten and you have a two year old child. It is not a do-it-yourself project. You will need expert help, and the top expert in this field is the veterinary behavior specialist. The dog also needs to be evaluated for physical problems. Often that is a big part of aggression, though solving that problem by itself will only help some, not solve this problem now that it's become so serious.

To better understand what is happening and what might have been done earlier to avoid it, read the articles Defensive Dog Behavior, Changes in Behavior with Physical Causes, Pain and Its Effect on Your Dog's Behavior, and Food Guarding--they're at the link below my signature, a free educational site with no advertising.
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Kathy Diamond Davis, author, "Therapy Dogs: Training Your Dog to Reach Others," 2nd edition, and the free Canine Behavior Series articles at http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=SRC&S=1&SourceID=47

I too have a Cocker that "was agressive"... Believe it or not, it was due to Vaccine damage ( the shot's our vet's give)..
I found a Homeopathic Vet for him & he has been treated this way for the past year with a complete turn around.

Wishing you much luck...
chevy