aggresive cocker???

Question
Hello. I have a male English cocker spaniel, 2 years old, not neutered. He is very affectionate and loving with us and everyone else, and we absolutely love him and trying to do the best for him. But when he is sleeping and try to pet him, or give him a hug he growls at me, and seems to be very angry. So I try not to touch him when he is resting. Yesterday he was asleep on the couch, and I tried to pet him. He started growling at me, and I said no to him, to stop him, as this is quite annoying. Then my husband came and commanded him to stop. He stopped after a while, but when he got of the couch he had left urine on it. I think he understands that he is doing something wrong and he fears that we will punish him, although we never hit him, or use any physical violence on him. He never bites but I am afraid that he will eventually. We have trained him on basic commands, when he was 6 months old and he is generally a loving pet except from this behavior. Please tell us what to do, we really want him to be happy

Answer
Your boy is displaying a little "Alpha behavior" and I'd bet this probably only happens when he's on the couch or your bed?  What he's "saying to you" is "I'm the Leader of the Pack and YOU have the nerve to disturb me?"  And it's working for him :)

You're very wise to see that this can accelerate and it's best handled now.  I'd also like to know why he's not neutered?

So here's what to do:
He's not allowed on ANY furniture for the time being.
Teach him the "Off" command by putting his leash on him - letting him get on a chair/sofa - say OFF - tug him a bit - then praise & reward.
Once he knows the command cold and he doesn't obey, then we have a little surprise for him :)

I really like that you understand an aggressive dog is not a happy dog.  Not that I'd term this aggression "yet".  He's basically pulling a little tantrum but the longer he gets away with it, the better the chance he'll expand on this behavior.

So first get busy and teach him this new command.  Make it a training game - we don't want any battle of wills.  You can actually leave his short leather leash on him when he's in the house and whenever you walk in a room and he's on the couch -  use the leash -have a treat ready and lots of praise when he obeys.  Right now you just want to teach this command.

Once he is off and you're wanting to sit down in that room - NO - if he tries to get back up.
Stay calm - authoritative.  Just say NO and block him.  No chat - no scolding - no discussion.

You are "claiming" this space as yours.  He thinks it's his.

Let me know how that goes - just teaching him that might do the trick - but if it doesn't I have all kinds of tricks up my sleeve for little boys who think they're the Alpha Dog :)

Also - he's not fearful he's doing something wrong - he's trying out some dominant behavior and is a little unsure of how it's going.  Right now he's eventually "giving it up" but, trust me,
that can change.
Delores