9mo male cocker spaniel w/aggressive tendencies.

Question
QUESTION: I just adopted/re-homed a male buff colored cocker spaniel. He is neutered and 9mo.  The family who had him before explained that they were re-homing him because he at times becomes a snarling, growling, snapping dog. They feared for their daughters' safety.  While in their care he received obedience training and follows many commands. Sit/Stay/down/drop/release/leave it. He has a prong collar on that the trainer used while he was kenneled and trained.  I have experienced his aggression both in their home and now in mine.  He is well socialized and goes to the dog park frequently. I also have a 9mo American Eskimo and frequently babysit my neighbors 12mo dachshund, they all play well. He walks well on leash with adults and children. He will sit with you and enjoys fetch, tug of war, and other interactive activities. Today is the first day in my home (so part of me wants to chalk it up to stress and adjustment) He was laying next to me and my 11yo niece was sitting by him put her hand out to pet him, and he snapped at her biting her sleeve. I put him outside by the scruff of his neck and said(probably yelled) "no bite". I let him back in after about 5min. Later my spouse came home and "Buffy" jumped in his lap, laid there, chewing on a rawhide bone, after several minutes began growling low than high and then bit him on the arm. My husband then put him down and stood over him telling Buffy "no" and this lasted about 1-1.5min. before Buffy submitted.  Buffy then did this with me 15min later. He walked by and brushed against my foot, turned, growled. I immediately stood up and told him "no" several times.  He stopped growling, but did not quite relax, more like restrained.  I then crated him and covered it with a blanket figuring it had been a rough 1st 6hrs of being in his new home.  I let him out after 30 min and only one issue of growling, was about a pen cap which my spouse opened Buffy's mouth and I removed). Since that he has jumped in my lap, laid by my other dog, and played with her.  Every time I pet him and hold him without issue I tell him what a good boy he is.  I am sure I have made terrible mistakes today, and I really want this to work. What training techniques am I missing in trying to establish Alpha status in my pack? I know this is so lengthy, and thank you for reading, but I felt more information is better than less information.

ANSWER: First of all, take the prong collar off.  Unless a professional has shown you how to use this, you can hurt the dog.  They're only for training purposes and should never be left on.


The good news is if a dog really wants to bite - they bite.  And even then, their bites are extremely "measured" so a nip was meant to be a nip.  He didn't miss your niece's hand - he did exactly what he wanted to do which was warn her.  I take it he's never bitten anyone?

The way to handle a growl is to get down on his level - be physically very still and in a calm but Clint Eastwood tone say NO while staring into his eyes.  Do not lose eye contact and continue with NO until he breaks eye contact.  You just won. (The aggressive eye contact is very alpha).

Alpha leaders don't lose their cool - they don't yell - it's just sheer authority.

You haven't made terrible mistakes today - you addressed the behavior
pretty well.

I'd also suggest getting one of those waist leashes (it's around your waist instead of in your hand) and do some "where I go, you go" periods in the house.  No chat - the leash is a powerful tool and it calms anxious dogs and aggressive dogs.  The message is the same "you're not in charge".

Never feed him unless he sits. Teach him the "wait" command - he shouldn't eat until you say "okay". Never let him go out a door in front of you.  No couches or beds unless invited.  Teach him the "off" command.  The message to a dog is "It's my food - my door - my couch and I'm top dog, not you".

I think this behavior wasn't handled correctly at the beginning but it's quite solveable if you get all over it.

In a pack, if a pup is annoying the alpha leader first will come the low warning growl (no) and then "the stare".  Most pups will back off because instinct tells them they're about to step into something negative :).  So get right in his face and make the eye contact "threatening" in a calm, still way.  Think Clint Eastwood :) - "go ahead, make my day".

I have other suggestions but I'd like you to try that first and let me know his reaction.  When this works it can eliminate this behavior in a week.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Well, it seemed things were improving, and that Buffy was becoming less
aggressive, however I'm not so sure, I have been bitten twice, once
yesterday and last week. He broke the skin both times. Before he began
his growl and baring of teeth, he was just laying on the sofa next to me
calmly and the other time sleeping. I try to stand up and take his leash
before he charges, but am unsuccessful sometimes. When I get his leash
I tell him no and take him to the bathroom for 5 min or less. I also do this
when he shows aggression to the other dog. My brother and I both use
the same consistencies with him. I am really looking for suggestions and
thank you for your assistance

Answer
I told you he wasn't allowed on furniture.  So institute that right away.  Teach him the "Off" command.  If you're on the sofa - or want to get on - he has to get off and stay off.

Have you tried the NO and eye contact?  Giving him a "time out" is doing nothing.  Dogs don't get that at all.

Please re-read my last answer.

To teach him the OFF command, use praise & reward.