Behavior

Question
I have a 6 month old, we have had her since she was 2 months. She has been great until the last couple of weeks she has been starting to get possessive over chews, and some toys, and she sometimes will growl at my other half when he goes to give her affection, and before he gets ready to leave the house. There is the odd time in her growls where she will give kisses and be wagging her tail, but that's very rare. Also she is starting to try and bite/snap when we do discipline her. We have scruffed her and put her head down to the ground, we have "rolled" her, but she just doesn't seem to get it.  She is not spayed yet, but we will be doing so very soon.  Please any advice is appreciated.  Thank you.

Answer
Hi Kristen,
I want you to try something immediately.

The next time she growls - get down on her level, stare into her eyes and say NO calmly but seriously.  Do not lose eye contact. Get right in her face. Just keep eyeballing her (think Clint Eastwood) and saying NO until she breaks eye contact and looks away.  Be very physically still while you're doing this.  Keep it up until she turns away.

Let me know how she reacts.

Do not panic about this behavior.  It's quite normal.  Cockers are very dominant dogs and she's trying you on.  Handle this correctly now and it's history.  Let it go and you'll have a big problem in short order.

In a pack if she was being annoying the pack leader would first give a very low growl (a warning) and then would turn their head towards her and STARE her down.  No drama - just pure authority.

Try that and then let's talk further.  In the meantime, pick up all toys & chews.