Agressive Cocker Spaniel-5 month old

[monkam]

Hello everyone. I bought a Cocker Spaniel in December from a store, i was told not to buy at a store but i am naive and thought i would be rescuing him from there. Anyhow, almost since day one he has been showing signs of aggression. For example, when he was eating, and i tried to take his bowl he would just flip out and growl and try to bite. Today i am able to take it from him, after a few months of taking the bowl and giving it back. He is ok now. BUT last night he was lying on my bed and when i tried to go to bed he really flipped out and started growling, showing his teeth...like he was trying to tell me that it's his bed and i can not go in there. I was really scared....i mean his teeth are sharp and he has bitten me hard before....I had to have my husband come help me get him off the bed...but last night he crossed the line and i really thought to myslef "I am not supposed to be afraid of my own puppy". Sometimes when he is lying down taking a nap, and i try to pet him, he starts growling, but i stop before he can jump at me. I have a 2 yr old Papillon at home also, and at first they start play fighting but they end up fighting really bad and i have to separate them. I keep them apart during the day when we are not home. Puppy in a crate (which he seems to hate) and Papillon in a bedroom (not in a crate). I am afraid that i will never ever be able to leave them together alone, or that the puppy when he gets big will hurt my little papillon. The puppy, Pepper is a fast learner, he knows how to give paw, sit and lay down...so why is he not learning not to snap at us? When he does flip out we take him into a room and keep him there alone for a few minutes. When he comes out he's ok until the next episode. Last night we put him in the crate, but he would not stop barking and crying, so i had to let him out. He was fine for the rest of the night but i was nervouse everytime he jumped into the bed. I don't know if an obidience class will help him with these particular problems....what if he flips out on me in the class. My vet says he might get a bit better when i get him neutered, which i am in about a month. But what if he doen't get better? What do i do? I don't wanna get rid of him cuz he does have a sweet and funny side to him....i am just getting sick of him being so mean to both me and my husband. A personal, one-on-one trainer is too expensive, and i am afraid to take him to a class. Please...what do i do...i don't want to let him go!

[adunphy]

You HAVE to hire someone. If you dont, this dog is going to wind up biting you or someone else. Sorry, but there is no quick answer for this one. You need to learn how to manage him when he is being aggressive.

Best.
Amy

[monkam]

I talked to a trainer yesterday and he told me to try some things when the dog is being bad...and i did what he told me to and yesterday he did not flip out once..well he still groweled under his nose while he was napping...but overall it was ok. I am going to meet with this trainer in a week, and probably do one on one classes after that. He's not as expensive as i thought...40$ for 30 minutes...i think it's worth it. What i have to do is supervise the dogs almost at all times...and i am training them both at the same time even though the Papillon is good...everytime they fight over a toy or Pepper gets agressive over a toy..i take ALL the toys away...when they are good...i give a couple back. Pepper is now bringing the toys to me and putting them in front of me.....because i give him a treat everytime he puts it down... and i ignore him when he doesn't.... I can take the toy back with no problem. The treats really work. And when he pulls on the leash....i stop....when pepper stops pulling i walk again...he is getting a bit better now. I know i have to repeat this over and over hundreds of times...but i am hoping it will all be worth it in the long run. Today after work...i will be training with them for a while too. I will keep you posted on his progress...and maybe this will help some other people out there that might have the same problem.

[adunphy]

I'm thrilled to hear you decided to hire someone. Most trainers arent outrageously priced, and can give you a lot of information an in an hours time

Amy

[monkam]

Well, the professional trainer couldn't help much, neither could the vet. The dog was getting worse and worse and more dangerous. Unfortunatly we had to give him up and he was put to sleep. I guess he was just born like that and there wasn't much we could do. I miss him!

[Casey]

Well it is sad too read this story, from such a young pup!.. I would have liked to give advice, too late so sorry!!!!.. you done your best, but something got in his head!.. Puppy farming is a big issue, the breeders don't care, and handling non exsisting! plus taken from mummy too young! leaves emotional disturbance!.. I'm sure it wasn't your fault!.. I've rescued animals (not dogs) coping with them is difficult, you just don't know what has happened in the past!

lots of love and thoughts for you
xxxx