Expert: Delores Beck - 1/30/2008

Question
Dear Delores,

Recently (1/24/08) my family adopted a 5yr old male Cocker Spaniel from a Cocker rescue group.  We have had Cockers before; however, he displays some behaviors that we find confusing.

When we first met him he barked at us, but warmed up to me pretty quickly and would let me pet him.  He was afraid of my parents the first day, particularly my father, but very affectionate with me, wagging his tail and rubbing up against me wanting to be petted.

After the first couple days, my father began feeding and taking him for his walk in hopes that he would become less afraid of him.  This seemed to work well as the dog now adores my father wanting to follow him everywhere.  Unfortunately, he has gradually become aggressive towards my mother and me.  It started with low (barely audible) growls when we approached or petted the dog when he was lying down.  After growling, if I was sitting down he would then sometimes come up as if he wanted to be petted (putting his head on my lap), but when I petted him he growled and kept his tail pinned to his body.  We left him alone when he did this.

Now, if my father leaves the house the dog curls up by the door.  He will not come to me if I call him or talk to him in a friendly way.  If I approach him, he growls at me and usually gets up as if he is guarding the door.  If I tell him “No” and stare at him the growl increases in pitch.  If I continue looking at him, he shows his teeth.  Eventually, he will look away briefly but continue growling and stare back at me.  His behavior with my mother is the same.  He sometimes behaves this way if either of us approaches the rug he sleeps on.

Occasionally, he does like for me (or my mother) to pet him and is friendly and wags his tail, particularly if we have been gone for awhile; sometimes he will play fetch also.  Most of the time he wants nothing to do with us and seems cranky or fearful, walking around slowly with his head down and his tail tucked between his legs.  We can approach him when he is eating without being growled at; my mother and I have started feeding him instead of my father.  He will also obey me if I tell him to get off the furniture and is well-behaved and thrilled when in the car or at the park.

To give you a bit of his history, the Cocker rescue group had him for 5 days.  Before that he was at a shelter for a few days.  He was neutered on 1/17/08.  His previous owners gave him up because of a job change.  He is in good health and from his medical records appears to have been well looked after.

I appreciate any suggestions you might have,
Dana

Answer
You're doing the right thing by taking over feeding and walking.  The dog bonded to your Father and his aggression towards others is fear based.

Anytime he growls - get right in his face and quietly but firmly say NO..do not lose eye contact.  Continue until he breaks eye contact and walks away.

Is there any chance of you getting a trainer?  Taking him to obedience classes?

There's a lot I'd need to know before giving any other advice and it might be faster if you wrote me directly at DeeBeck7765@aol.com.

This certainly can be fixed with some work & patience.
Is there any chance of you contacting the previous owners
with a few questions?
Delores