Aggressive Cocker Spaniel

AstronomyGuy

I have a 20 month old male cocker. Over the last six months he has become increasingly aggressive and its getting out of hand. Out walking if strangers especially children walk by he will aggressively bark at them and attempt to bite them if they come within reach. At home he growls and barks at me from time to time especially when guests are over and last week he severely bit my hand when I went to pet him. If he is left alone he is very content so I don't believe there is any physical illness, just behavioral issues. From a few months old he had always been aggressive and growl if anyone was in the same room as him when he was eating, but now his whole attitude is getting worse and worse. Any ideas as to what I can do as I'm lost with this.

Cherry Blossom

This is not something you should attempt to fix on your own or indeed with the help of strangers over the internet. Please engage the services of a properly qualified canine behaviourist. If you let us know what area you are in maybe someone here can recommend someone to help you.

gozunda

Is he neutered OP?

jrosen

Possibly a reaction to being nervous? But also sounds like its not something you cant fix on your own.

I would second the suggestion of a canine behavior therapist.

Graces7

gozunda wrote: »

Is he neutered OP?

I was about to ask that too.

tk123

Cherry Blossom wrote: »

This is not something you should attempt to fix on your own or indeed with the help of strangers over the internet. Please engage the services of a properly qualified canine behaviourist. If you let us know what area you are in maybe someone here can recommend someone to help you.

+1 or visit http://apdt.ie and find somebody near you who can help.

bertiebomber

sounds like fear to me - he is afraid and this i show he shows it a behaviorist is the best way. For now give him space to eat and rest dont always be at him that makes them angry little buggers but cockers dont tend to be angry? did he come from an unknown breeder like a puppy farm, when you got him that would explain a lot as they inbreed them and take no care to socialise them and also take them from their mothers too young so they never learn the basics from mum & are unhappy unrounded creatures.

Knine

gozunda wrote: »

Is he neutered OP?

Neutering an already fear aggressive dog often makes the situation worse!

Edited to ask what colour he is?

Shelli2

Have you heard of cocker rage? Look into it, plenty of info online.

gozunda

Knine wrote: »

Neutering an already fear aggressive dog often makes the situation worse!

Edited to ask what colour he is?

No. Not a suggestion.

As part of understanding the current situation - it would appear the dog is of an age which suggests that sexual maturation may potentially be relevant

https://www.purina.co.uk/dogs/key-life-stages/puppies/dog-puberty

jellybear

OP, I'd highly recommend Orla Doherty https://www.animalbehaviourclinic.ie.

We did online training with her in August and the difference in our reactive dog is just amazing. It's hard work and you need to be ready to change your and the dog's way of doing things but honestly, we haven't looked back. My lurcher is 5 and a half so I thought he'd never be able to change his reactive behaviour but there's been a huge improvement. We continue to work on it daily, you have to in order to see and maintain results, but I can't tell you the difference it has made. Walks are actually becoming enjoyable now where as I used to dread them and be a nervous wreck, which he could sense, but with the right training strategies Milo and I are both more comfortable. A large portion of the cost is covered by Allianz, if you're insured with them. I don't know about other insurers. Wishing you a the best. The first step is recognising something has to change so well done for doing that. Also, feel free to PM me with any questions if you want

I just re read your post and one thing jumped out at me...the attempted biting when out walking. I would strongly advise a muzzle. There are so many different ones out there and plenty of you tube videos on training them to wear one comfortably. In my opinion, it's the most responsible thing you could do right now.

Knine

gozunda wrote: »

No. Not a suggestion.

As part of understanding the current situation - it would appear the dog is of an age which suggests that sexual maturation may potentially be relevant

https://www.purina.co.uk/dogs/key-life-stages/puppies/dog-puberty

Purina link? No thanks

gozunda

Knine wrote: »

Purina link? No thanks

I think you missed the most salient bit btw. But no matter. The link doesn't discuss dog food btw.

I can provide any other link to the same info you'd like....

:rolleyes:

Hi there, I'm sorry to hear you are having these problems with your cocker. I have owned cockers, including one with a confirmed case of cocker rage (which was truly terrifying) and I've fostered cockers while they were waiting on rehoming.

Your dog's aggression does not sound like cocker rage, but I do agree with the already given advice that you're going to need the help of a professional to deal with this dog, and fast, as it will most likely get worse. I would also recommend a muzzle while walking (and I hate to see dogs muzzled) but if you know he is aggressive, needs must.

Best of luck.

Graces7

Deleted User wrote: »

Hi there, I'm sorry to hear you are having these problems with your cocker. I have owned cockers, including one with a confirmed case of cocker rage (which was truly terrifying) and I've fostered cockers while they were waiting on rehoming.

Your dog's aggression does not sound like cocker rage, but I do agree with the already given advice that you're going to need the help of a professional to deal with this dog, and fast, as it will most likely get worse. I would also recommend a muzzle while walking (and I hate to see dogs muzzled) but if you know he is aggressive, needs must.

Best of luck.

Agree totally. Safety is paramount. For the dog most of all.

zerosugarbuzz

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=LxNhx1qLOb8

I think this video may help you.

AstronomyGuy

Thanks for the advise everyone. Yes I got him neutered last Feb but he's only getting worse. No he didn't come from a puppy farm and was a very well behaved puppy. I've ordered a muzzle and will look into a behavioral specialist. Hopefully I'll get to the bottom of this!

Knine

AstronomyGuy wrote: »

Thanks for the advise everyone. Yes I got him neutered last Feb but he's only getting worse. No he didn't come from a puppy farm and was a very well behaved puppy. I've ordered a muzzle and will look into a behavioral specialist. Hopefully I'll get to the bottom of this!

The best of luck. Sadly in my experience neutering tends to make any nervous issues worse in males. A qualified behaviourist should be able to help. I've had Cockers in the past & found the solid colours were more of a handful. Hopefully he settles down

bubbagumss

you may have to put him down
some website said it may have epilepsy and attacks during it.you are probably feeding it at the table.you need to stop and feed only after every one has eaten inwould muzzle him when you go out

gozunda

AstronomyGuy wrote: »

Thanks for the advise everyone. Yes I got him neutered last Feb but he's only getting worse. No he didn't come from a puppy farm and was a very well behaved puppy. I've ordered a muzzle and will look into a behavioral specialist. Hopefully I'll get to the bottom of this!

Yeah ime puberty can sometimes set off a noticeable change in behaviour - though other times not so much. And definitely interesting as you say he was a well behaved puppy. But no not advocating that as a solution lol. Although i know some can be stuck with that idea alright. Anyway hope it all works out and best of luck.

cocker5

bubbagumss wrote: »

you may have to put him down
some website said it may have epilepsy and attacks during it.you are probably feeding it at the table.you need to stop and feed only after every one has eaten inwould muzzle him when you go out

What your referring to is cocker rage and what the OP describes it does not sound like this..

It sounds more like some resource guarding and other behaviour issues - which a proper trainer can advise on