new cocker

[kiy]

hi there ive got a 1yr old cocker spaniel off someone who doesnt have the time to train him, ive had him for a week now and was assured he was friendly and great with kids ( ive got a 15mth old boy) hes bonded well with me as i spend quite a bit of time training him for the beating line, and is sort of ok with the missus but and this is a big but, will go from being friendly to growling in a second. he also growels at my son, this is when he (the dog) is in or near his bed. these arnt teeth showing growels but they are growels non the less. i dont want to get rid of him as i like him but we need to be able to trust him around the kid. he sleeps and lives in the kitchen as there isnt room to kennel him. i know he needs to settle in but i dont know why he is the way he is. ill give him a few more weeks to see if he improves before im forced to rehome him. any advise will be apreciated cheers kiy

[nick_j007]

Originally Posted by kiy

hi there ive got a 1yr old cocker spaniel off someone who doesnt have the time to train him, ive had him for a week now and was assured he was friendly and great with kids ( ive got a 15mth old boy) hes bonded well with me as i spend quite a bit of time training him for the beating line, and is sort of ok with the missus but and this is a big but, will go from being friendly to growling in a second. he also growels at my son, this is when he (the dog) is in or near his bed. these arnt teeth showing growels but they are growels non the less. i dont want to get rid of him as i like him but we need to be able to trust him around the kid. he sleeps and lives in the kitchen as there isnt room to kennel him. i know he needs to settle in but i dont know why he is the way he is. ill give him a few more weeks to see if he improves before im forced to rehome him. any advise will be apreciated cheers kiy

How are things now?
Sounds like you need some professional advice to get this straight. If this can't be resolved and you see it deteriorate further then a rehome might be on the books?

Nick

[3wags]

Originally Posted by kiy

hi there ive got a 1yr old cocker spaniel off someone who doesnt have the time to train him, ive had him for a week now and was assured he was friendly and great with kids ( ive got a 15mth old boy) hes bonded well with me as i spend quite a bit of time training him for the beating line, and is sort of ok with the missus but and this is a big but, will go from being friendly to growling in a second. he also growels at my son, this is when he (the dog) is in or near his bed. these arnt teeth showing growels but they are growels non the less. i dont want to get rid of him as i like him but we need to be able to trust him around the kid. he sleeps and lives in the kitchen as there isnt room to kennel him. i know he needs to settle in but i dont know why he is the way he is. ill give him a few more weeks to see if he improves before im forced to rehome him. any advise will be apreciated cheers kiy

Dogs growl for a variety of reasons, but the first thing you must remember not to do is to respond angrily or harshly or in any way aggresively. Depending on what type of growl it is, your cocker could be trying to communicate different things. If your vet has given him a clean bill of health, then there are couple of reasons why he might be growling. Firstly, it could be due to the fact that he might have been mistreated by some one in the past. Secondly, as you mention it happens when the cocker is in or near his bed, it sounds like it could be a case of warning you to stay away or defending his space. I believe dogs are pack animals which require a hierarchy, so establish your leadership by being clear and consistent with boundaries, obedience cues, feeding, sleeping areas, etc. Be firm and assertive, but not aggressive. Ensure that everyone in the family is being consistent too. If the growling worsens, do seek the help of a trained professional to help, especially if it develops into aggression. Good luck!


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