Cocker Spaniel Rage

Question
QUESTION: Hi I'm having extreme problems with my cocker spaniel's aggression. He is just over a year old and has random acts of aggression. It is usually brought on when he is scared, like the vet, or to my brother's male dog that used to beat him up when he was younger and now whenever they are near eachother he goes into a salivating rage. It seems to be getting worse, every time he seems to feel threatened he will go into one of these and then snap out of it and be the perfect sweet dog he was before. He recently did this to my roommate, which caused the most problem. He has never bitten anybody, but I am worried. I have talked to the vet about getting him neutered but not sure if that would do any good. Today I called a "dog whisperer" and she pretty much told me I need to have him put down, but he's my dog and I refuse to believe there's nothing to be done about it. He is a nice innocent dog most of the time, and I realize this is a really long question, but any information you can give me would be amazing. I just want to save my dog at all costs. Thank You.

ANSWER: First of all - yes, absolutely get him neutered.  This is a very simple surgery for male dogs.
Get it done - make the appt. today.

The most important thing you told me is that he's never bitten anybody. And, for a so-called "dog whisperer" to tell you over the phone that there was no solution is ridiculous.

What I need to know is exactly what is happening when "he feels threatened".  Describe the incident with your roommate in detail.

Other questions:
1.  How is he with people in general?
2.  What commands does he know and obey?
3.  How is he with other dogs in general?
4.  How much daily exercise does he get?
5.  Where does he sleep?
6.  How many people in your family?  Other pets?

And I will tell you, that the key to training is to "anticipate" and stop a behavior before it happens.
Delores

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

QUESTION: Thanks for saying that about that lady, because honestly just hearing her tell me over the phone for 20 minutes how I should put my dog down broke my heart. This aggression really started when the male dog next door began attacking him, and he would be beaten up, until finally he did something about it. Now they can't be in the same vicinity as each other without first going into fits of terrible growls. I know I should have kept the male dog away from him, but we have a fenced in yard that my brother just lets the dog into, and as soon as I realized he was out there I got them away from each other. But when he feels threatened his entire back stiffens and he makes this awful growling sound, the worst I've ever heard.

The situation with my roommate was when my cocker was playing with her dog and they were very roudy and she wanted them to calm down so she went over to Indy and held him down, and the other dog was still trying to play on his other side as she was telling him no and he just snapped and started the growling so she screamed and ran away and he lunged at her with the growling but never bit. Same thing when he gets out of the fence, he will growl at the other people but never bite. Now he really doesn't seem to care for my roommate at all. Which I don't blame him because according to her she is "scared to death of him" and tells me openly all the time how she dislikes him. Needless to say, I got him away from that environment and he is now with me at my parents with the fenced in yard.


Okay your questions

1) He is really good with people. He is constantly wagging his tale, pretty much the happiest dog in the entire world. The only time he's ever had issues is when he sees strangers in the dark, or with groomers and vets (he absolutely hates them and does his growl thing)

2) He knows how to sit, lay down, mostly stay, go to his kennel, and go outside

3) Except for the Shiba-Inu next door that is his mortal enemy I would say he is very good with dogs. He has gone to the dog park several times, and I have another cocker spaniel at my parents as well. Not to mention people are always bringing their dogs over and they play.

4) Honestly when he was in my apartment he didn't get a lot, because he would stay in his kennel when I was at school and then I would take him outside and let him run around the apartment and play with the other dog when I got home. Now he has a fenced in yard to run around with.

5) He sleeps with me in my bed, but when I'm gone he stays in his kennel

6) We have a huge family. I have 9 siblings myself, not to mention wives and grandchildren, and he is really good with them. And like I mentioned earlier I have another cocker spaniel that he likes way more than she likes him, and my mom has a poodle. Plus my siblings pets are always visiting.

ANSWER: The situation with the dog next door should never have been allowed to happen.  That's your fault.  Have a sit-down with your brother and explain this cannot be allowed.  Or put a lock on the gate.  It's your responsibility to protect him from this.

Okay..the roommate is gone..so that problem is solved.  The reason he reacted that way was she tried to alpha roll him - big mistake.  He knows she doesn't like him (yes, they know) and NOW she's trying to completely dominate him for no good reason.  I would never, ever try that on any dog that wasn't mine - no matter how nice they were.  Why?  Because I am NOT that dog's pack leader and would have a fair chance of a bad reaction.

A few comments:
Your dog is spending FAR too much time in his kennel and isn't getting enough exercise.
I want you to begin TODAY walking him for as close to an hour as you can.  Far too many behavioral issues are caused by boredom and pent up energy.  "Love" is not enough - you have to put in the time to ensure his basic needs are met and exercise is key.

Now..you're telling me he's basically good with people (except for strangers in the dark - vets - groomers).  And except for the dog next door, he's fine with other dogs?
Do I have this right?

If so, the problem is really the vet and the groomer. Yes?  This we can solve.
So let me know if I'm understanding all this correctly.
Delores

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

QUESTION: Yes, most of his problems are caused by the groomer and the vet. He also barks and tries to attack through the fence people walking by, but my other cocker spaniel does that as well. Another thing is that whenever he smells the dog in the other house he will get upset. I held the Shiba yesterday, and then came back over and he even looked distrustful of me. I wouldn't mind this, but my brother has three boys and I don't want them to come over smelling like that dog and for him to take it out on them.

And I will start taking him for walks, and I know he wasn't getting enough exercise and felt awful about that. Thank you so much for all your help so far :)

Answer
The "attacking through the fence" is a lot of "show" and actually, quite entertaining for dogs.  Can you train them both not to do that?
Yes.  I can teach you how to do that.  However - don't leave either of them out there alone for long periods.

Regarding the Shiba - that dog was ALLOWED to beat up on him and no-one corrected or protected.
Think about it - how would you feel?  I take it this is your brother's dog?  This is a solveable problem and it's too bad it was allowed to go this far.

Now..the vet.  This is the easy one.  Buy a "soft" muzzle..meaning one that allows him to pant and open his mouth a bit.  You'll have to get him used to it and I can tell you how to do that.
You don't just suddenly clap a muzzle on him...it's a bit of training.  Get the muzzle and I'll teach you how to do that.  Although I'm surprised your vet can't handle this.  A lot of normally sweet dogs get freaked out at the vet.

The groomer!  I need to know in specific detail what happens - when!  I have one quite dominant boy who absolutely will "play a groomer" if he thinks he can.  The groomer's attitude and handling skills can be the difference.  And YOU need to get into daily brushing and don't take any nonsense from him.  It will also help if you bath him at home and just take him in for a clip...that just cuts down the length of stress time.  But give me a good description of him at the groomer.  You'd be amazed at how different dogs can be depending on the groomer.

Really, Kristina, this woman who told you to put him down is an unbelievable idiot.
What is fabulous here - is that no matter how frightened he's been - he has NEVER bitten.

Bottom line - you need to take control and responsibility for his sense of security.  You don't have an aggressive dog.  You have a frightened dog with a few quirks :)  And I can even teach you how to get him not to get freaky just "sniffing" the odor of the dog next door.

Delores