dog.behavioural problem

Question
QUESTION: My four year old cocker spaniel has started growling at my teenage daughter and attacked her today. Her behavior has become worse since she had a dry season four months ago.She could be funny with some people who visited but she would just go in her bed and ignore every one. Others she would make them so welcome. One minute she is the most loving animal then for no reason she is very suspicious sits and glares especially when she is in her bed Her behavior is so unpredictable.She is well behaved when out walking on and off the lead to other dogs and people. The problem is at home. I thought it my be that she sees me as Alfa dog and the rest of the family as below her in the pack but I don't know how to rectify the problem. I don't want to have her put to sleep but I am finding it very difficult having a dog that members of the family are becoming frightened of. Please can you advise. Rose.

ANSWER: So she's 4 and this behavior has developed within the past few months?

I'd like to know why you haven't had her spayed?  It's very hard on her to go through heats and, of course, there's the risk of mammary cancer later on.   This may be part of the problem.

To help I need to know "exactly" what was going on when she growled and bit today. And what you precisely mean by "she attacked"?  
What was your daughter doing - what was she doing - be as detailed as you can.  How often does this/has this happened and to who?

Please don't even think of putting her down.  A Rescue can take her and train her and find her a new home.

I'd also like to know where she sleeps?  Who feeds her?  Who walks her?  How often is she walked and for how long?  And...are you willing to work at correcting this?  Is she given the run of the house or is she confined a lot?

Lots of questions, I know :)  Once I have a more complete picture I will have some answers!
Delores




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

QUESTION: Thanks Delores, Sunny was growling and pounced at my daughter as was getting something from the table above were Sunnys bed is.  She has shown similar behavior in the past but has become much worse in the  last few months.She seems to take a dislike to someone takes starts low tone growling as to warn them when they pass by. Only if they put their hand down to pat has she reacted growling etc never to one of the family. We are finding it difficult to have her looked after as she has bitten a doggy minder when she was sitting in the hall and the lady put her hand down to pat her, she reacted in the same way to my elderly father in a similar situation when my parents cared for her I have not had her spayed because I would have like to breed from her. I spoke to the vet today and will be making an appointment for a full physical. I did discuss Spaying.I have had cocker spaniels for over thirty years. Our last doggy was a golden cocker female like Sunny who was a rescue dog at four months she lived and gave us much pleasure for sixteen years. She had emotional problems when young and we worked through them and turned out to be as all our dogs very much part of the family. We never leave Sunny for more than three hours. I work part time and pop in and out through out the day. She has at least a half hour run on our local heath in the morning and two shorter on the leash walks during the day.. She sleeps in the kitchen were she has always slept under the dinning table.  The same place Were she used to have her pen as a pup. She has the freedom of the house when we are here and a lot of the time when we are not. I have noticed that she has recently started isolating herself in her bed even when we have tried to encourage her to join us in the family room. I sometimes wonder if she is jealous of my teenage daughter.I walk her mostly and at weekends my husband walks her. Even he has been growled at. Up until yesterday she has never growled at me. I groom her and everything without an agressive response. She sits with me when I am on my own. Thank you for your quick response. We love Sunny and I never thought I would become so desperate to ever consider putting a dog down. She is a lovely dog when she is normal Sunny who is a loving intelligent animal but it is really worrying when they are aggressive to one of your children.  Much Thanks for your help Rose.

Answer
Okay...this can be dealt with but I'm very glad you're taking her for a checkup and do tell the vet about this behavioral issue.

First - I'd move Sunny's bed.  The dining table is a hive of activity and dogs do need their "quiet space".  Doesn't have to be far...just away from under the table.

Now...I'd like your daughter to start feeding Sunny.  And Sunny needs to "sit" before the bowl goes down.  You need to stop feeding and let your husband and daughter take over.

You say she "growled and pounced" at your daughter...did she nip..attempt to nip?  Dogs "measure" bites carefully and if they mean to warn- snap - nip - actually bite it's very conscious so I need to know that.  It's a big clue.

What to do at the VERY first growl!  Get down on her level - STARE into her eyes and say NO firmly but quietly (no yelling).  Continue saying NO and do not lose eye contact.  This is key.
When she breaks eye contact - you just won.  Be physically still and give her a Clint Eastwood look.

Most of training is anticipation.  You don't let things accelerate..you step in at the first sign of a problem and stop it.

Is your daughter involved with Sunny?  Can we get her into the program? :)

Part of the problem Rose, is that this wasn't dealt with correctly at the VERY first instance.
So we have some work to do.  But I can tell you this is far from being as serious as some aggressive dogs.

There is a key here and we need to find it WHILE telling her this is unacceptable.  And I have quite a few tricks up my sleeve to deal with little girls who think they're the pack leader :)
Delores