Raylee Posted June 28, 2006 Share Posted June 28, 2006 I purchased a Golden cockerspaniel in Sept last year. He is so beautiful and loving, and has taken to me as the leader of the house. I have been letting him on my bed and cuddling him heaps. Now he attacks very aggressively anyone who come's near me including my husband. I was away for 2 weeks so he decided to sleep on or near my son's bed and he transferred his protection/bonding to him. Whenever anyone tries to go into my son's room, he growls, barks and looks very much like he is going to attack. He has not had training or obedience training. He will turn 1 in July. He was desexed about 2 months ago but the vet doesn't think the aggressive behaviour is a result of this. What can I do? I got bitten on my arm by accident while I was trying to get between him and my small fox terrier. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toohey Posted June 28, 2006 Share Posted June 28, 2006 Hi Raylee, You need to find a proffessional dog trainer who can give you some one on one instructions on how to manage this boy. It's very easy to spoil our cockers rotten and show them constantly how much we love them, but I'll always remember driving away from my breeder's house cuddling my new puppy... her last words were "BE FIRM"! Never a better few words of advice has she given me! I found it hard, but did spoil him to a certain degree. He WAS obedience trained though, and that gave me the ability to earn his respect, communicate with him, and have him obey commands. You need to change things in your house, the dog needs to learn he is NOT in charge. Find yourself a private trainer please and soon. When he behaves aggressively in the meantime, I would be ignoring him. Don't go near him, just everyone in that room get up and leave. Deprive him of attention. Do not let him sleep on ANYONE'S bed. A crate would be a good idea to stop him sneaking up, but definitely a bed on floor level. He has an overinflated sense of importance, and that has to change before your dog takes over the household. Professional training is needed for this boy as soon as possible. Cockers are very intelligent, but also very compliant and willing to please their owners. You can change this behaviour, but you need to learn how to manage it and then you must be consistent and firm with him when new rules are in place. Good luck with him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrunoBella Posted June 28, 2006 Share Posted June 28, 2006 Hi This is defininately a leadership issue. I am not much of an expert on leadership so will wait for someone else to respond but this is easy to fix. I would enrol in obedience asap. Some easy things to show leadership (for all people in your household) is to make sure the dog goes through doors last, gets fed last, gets attention last and stays lower physically. I would not let the dog sleep on your bed anymore as this contributes to leadership issues in some dogs, and obviously in yours. Don't worry, it's not hard to fix. You have to set some new rules and make sure the dog sticks to them. Let us know how you go. BP Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nekhbet Posted June 28, 2006 Share Posted June 28, 2006 (edited) this dog sees himself as the boss ... not you. Sounds like a little brat actually. He is going through his teenage angst period (12 months) and you will find he will start trying to assert his authority on everyone. You have allowed him to be spoiled and now he has become very posessive because you have allowed the behaviour to snowball into this. Dogs are subtle creatures and a dozen small hints left unchecked can turn into something bigger. Get yourself a good behaviourist and enrol in obedience classes NOW. Every dog should attend obedience ... its not just learning tricks its about respect. This dog has his own ideas about what he needs to do but he's not sure how to go about it. His brain is telling him he needs to lead the pack because he has been receiving mixed signals but he's reacting the only way he knows how. What state/area are you in - we can reccomend someone trustworthy to help (PLEASE do not go to BarkBusters)? Get tough on his little butt. No coming into any bedrooms, no furniture, no eating before any humans, no rushing before you through doors and no sitting on laps. Sit before getting attention, food etc and he can only get treats for good behaviour. Be consistant with this. He needs to get the idea he is the dog and you are the boss. I am worried he may bite your child if he is behaving this way. http://www.leerburg.com/dominac2.htm have a read about the signals and where to start ... not all of it will apply to your dog but you will have a start. Edited June 28, 2006 by Nekhbet Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maverick Posted June 28, 2006 Share Posted June 28, 2006 He thinks he is king. He sleeps on your bed and I expect you feed him before yourself. Unfortunately you need to knock him down a peg and put him at the bottom of the pecking order. No sleeping on beds, always fed after you and your family, you must go out the door first, pats only when you want them. Obedience training as well. Where abouts are you ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raylee Posted June 28, 2006 Author Share Posted June 28, 2006 I have just moved from Sydney and am living on the Sunshine Coast in Caloundra, so will need to start finding an obedience trainer. Any ideas/advice much appreciated. I will certainly start with all your suggestions, and yes you were all right. He eats whenever I give him food, he always goes outside before any of us etc. etc. Sounds like we have to change a lot of things. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrunoBella Posted June 28, 2006 Share Posted June 28, 2006 (edited) It's not hard, just a matter of learning what to do. Good on you for trying many people just dump their dogs if they get into problems. There was a really good post earlier this year which discussed this issue. Link If you look halfway down you will find a post by TangerineDream who has written some great articles on how to be the boss. They don't take long to read. Good luck Edited for forgetfulness Also a great site on here in the Training forum teaching the Triangle of Temptation which will help show your dog whose boss. It was written by K9 Force who is a trainer/behaviourist. Triangle of Temptation. I have been using this on my 21/2 year old for a few months and the change in her behaviour and her respect for me is amazing. Edited June 28, 2006 by BellasPerson Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joshley Posted July 5, 2006 Share Posted July 5, 2006 I know what you are going through... My very first Cocker was a gold boy and he to was very spoilt. He did sleep out in the garage though and not on my bed. Since I was showing him I spent alot of time grooming him and going to shows with him by ourselves. In the end he loved me too much and wouldnt even let my children near me. We tried everything with him to put him back down the pecking order but it didnt work. He ended up biting my son twice and me once when I got in the way. He ended up going back to the breeder. I later found out that his mother was very agressive and also one of his litter brothers also lost the plot and turned on his owner...Needless to say I never used that breeder again. The Cockers I have now are great and have the sweetest temperments.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raylee Posted July 5, 2006 Author Share Posted July 5, 2006 I know what you are going through... My very first Cocker was a gold boy and he to was very spoilt. He did sleep out in the garage though and not on my bed. Since I was showing him I spent alot of time grooming him and going to shows with him by ourselves. In the end he loved me too much and wouldnt even let my children near me. We tried everything with him to put him back down the pecking order but it didnt work. He ended up biting my son twice and me once when I got in the way. He ended up going back to the breeder. I later found out that his mother was very agressive and also one of his litter brothers also lost the plot and turned on his owner...Needless to say I never used that breeder again. The Cockers I have now are great and have the sweetest temperments.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raylee Posted July 5, 2006 Author Share Posted July 5, 2006 Thanks for your reply. He now sleeps outside and enters and exits doors behind us. He is not allowed on furniture anymore and eats after us. We are taking turns feeding him. This has reduced the amount of aggression but not entirely. Last night he was in my room on the floor and my other dog (fox terrier) entered the room. A fight started and my husband tried to break it up and got bitten. Both dogs were immediately kicked outside. I spoke to the breeder we got him from in Qld. She said there is no aggresion in the family. She said we needed to get him to training so we are looking for a local dog training school. Hopefully this will work. From now on he is not allowed in my bedroom. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Natashja Posted July 5, 2006 Share Posted July 5, 2006 Raylee, save your time, money and energy and get in contact with K9 Force. I can't recommend him highly enough. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kaywoman68 Posted July 6, 2006 Share Posted July 6, 2006 Orson, my gold cocker, was a bastard as a puppy. We spoiled him heaps and he started biting my feet and growl etc. I asked here for help and it definitely improved. You've chosen a good place to ask for help! He's protective of me and OH but that's only when other dogs are around (I foster care sometimes). He doesn't have a problem with my mum's dogs though which is funny Orson and Oi (our other cocker - blue roan) sleeps on our bed and furniture too. We have a few problems sometimes when they fight for attention (sleeping on my lap) when one of us is home by ourselves but it's quickly sorted. Dogs are individuals just like humans so it's hard to predict how some dogs will act. DO NOT GO TO BARKBUSTERS!!!! It will only make your cocker worse!!! Throwing chains will not help!!!! Good luck with your cocker! What's his name? Do we get any piccies? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Staff'n'Toller Posted July 6, 2006 Share Posted July 6, 2006 No sleeping on the beds until the behaviour is sorted...especially when your son is in the picture as well. He needs to go to training and it will benefit the both of you. All the previous posts have been good advice, get a few private lessons with a qualified trainer- not a franchise, then look into obedience classes and dog sports so you and he can do something together. Keep us posted with how you go.... Mel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thunder Posted July 6, 2006 Share Posted July 6, 2006 I agree Kaywoman WE NEED PICTURES!!! and what's his name? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teebs Posted July 6, 2006 Share Posted July 6, 2006 He was sleeping inside and you kicked him to outside? No way i would do that! Where does the othe dog sleep? Why dont you start crate training him, that way he will have his own bed, and if he gets too much you can put him away if needed? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sophy Posted July 13, 2006 Share Posted July 13, 2006 I am new to this forum, and can I just say it's great to read that others might be having the same issues as me (I dont feel so alone now!) I was wondering if you could offer me some advice please? I have a 1 year old male cocker spaniel (gold). He's an absolute sweetie and has given us so much laughter and fun since we got him!! Over the last few months I think I have seen some resource guarding behaviour from him though - I am new to this term but have been doing some reading and he seems to fit the description..... Recently at the beach I put my towel down and sat there before going for a swim... he ran out and snapped at every dog that come and say hello, and remained guarding my things (sat on my towel as proud as punch!) when went into the water! It's like he's protecting a perimeter around me. He's fine when we're walking around the shore, and friendly with other dogs then.... He has shown a few funny signs like this since - at the park he snapped at a retriever puppy that came to say hello....I dont think he'd ever bite, he just makes a horrid grizzling noise, and lurching forward behaviour It's very out of his (which is so sweet and loving) to be like this and I want to stop the problem before it gets out of hand. Can anyone help me please? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nellie Posted July 13, 2006 Share Posted July 13, 2006 I am no expert in dog behaviour so I can't really comment on your problem but just had to say how gorgeous your boy is - come and post some more pics in the photo section of the forum!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kaywoman68 Posted July 13, 2006 Share Posted July 13, 2006 He's a gorgeous darling My little gold boy Orson turned one in April and he was a menace when we first got him, mainly cos we spoilt him so much. He's improved since I took him to obedience training. I currently have a foster and Orson is very protective of his belongings. I'm currently sitting on the couch with him and my other cocker sleeping next to me. If Mishka (foster) comes anywhere near then they'll just start barking Do you do any obedience training with your little boy? (you didnt' mention his name) It would be good for both you and him to have obedience training. It's also good for socialisation with all sorts of different dogs. I found out my little girl doesn't like poodle Xs very much She's met 2 and both she doesn't like. She's very naughty ;) but atleast she gets on with most other dogs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kaywoman68 Posted July 13, 2006 Share Posted July 13, 2006 (edited) Double Post! Edited July 13, 2006 by kaywoman68 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sophy Posted July 13, 2006 Share Posted July 13, 2006 Thanks for the post - you're pals are gorgeous too, just love Cockers! My little mans name is Buddy - and he's exactly that.. We've been to puppy class and intermediate dog training - he's fabulous at sits, stays and drops and comes when he's called...no faults. I made sure I put plenty of hard yards in the early days.... Just need to try and get over this problem of snapping and protecting our areas - so we can both have fun at the beach! :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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