Sprocker Child Agression

Question
QUESTION: Hi,
I hope you can help me! I have an 18 month Sprocker called Alfie, who is great fun and full of energy! Two issues: He jumps on the sofa when nobody is in and scratches the leather. He doesn't go on it when someone is home as he knows it's not allowed. How do I stop this?
Secondly, which is much more important, he doesn't like it when children pet him before adults?
Example: if my sister and her kids come in he growls and his hair stands up when the kids welcome him, but he looks to my sister for attention? Like he's saying 'I don't want YOU to pet me only HER'.
He also doesn't do what he is told when the kids give him commands (simple commands such as SIT or STAY). I say kids but my son is 12, so he's not pulling his tail or annoying him. He's the very one who takes him out for his early morning walk each day and loves him to bits!
But it's like Alfie thinks he is higher in the pack than the kids. How can I change this?
I've bought a muzzle to try to condition him, when he growls I put it on for half hour so he associates the action with the muzzle. Is this right?
Help!!



ANSWER: When you're not at home I'd suggest confining Alfie to the kitchen.
That will solve the sofa problem.

Now as to the growling.  I have questions.  Is your son the only child?  Has Alfie ever done anything more than growl at kids?
Like actually snapped or tried to nip?  Does this happen outside the home?  And what happens after the initial greeting?

Yes, he can quickly learn your son is higher in the pack and I can tell you how to do that.  And no to the muzzle.  It's "after the fact" and the key to training is to anticipate and correct behavior before it happens.

So write back - give me as much detail as possible and then I can offer concrete advice.
Delores

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

QUESTION: Hi,

Thanks for your response!
Alfie was brought up with my sister and small kids (aged then 5 and 7). The kids were there first when Alfie was bought as a puppy. My sister moved home and Alfie came to me and we have been together for some months now. We go for long walks/runs and he loves the outdoors. I also have 2 children (12 and 17), Alfie has always been around kids since a puppy.
Alfie once (he was only about 11 months old) cut my son on the nose - although there was confusion whether it was excitement and he jumped and caught my son's nose by accident as it was when my son was coming in the door. At the time Alfie was with my sister at the door going out for a walk when we came through the door.
He got his first real telling off then. After this, things started to change with the kids.

It does happen outside with other kids too.
But only sometimes!! Sometimes he is fine and plays away happily other times he will just stand and allow to be petted but you know he is not enjoying it and other times he growls.  
It even happened when I drove down to my parents, Alfie was in the boot. We stopped and a little boy came over to see him, Alfie started growling before the boy was anywhere near him. He hadn't touched him and was still about 2/3 feet away.
I just don't understand what kicks it off? Initially I thought it could be moodiness? Sometimes he wants petted sometimes he can't be bothered!

After the initial greeting he wanders around and still looks uncomfortable when the kids go to pet him. He will sometimes take a long path around the room just to avoid the kids?
When I say growls, he is not showing his teeth, but still growling and his hair stands up.

When my son asks Alfie to Sit or Stay, Alfie just stands and looks at me! He doesn't do what he's told at all unless I step in. Which I don't do. I know my son just wants to play with Alfie and Alfie would have so much fun with him and become very close if we can get over this.

Ok no muzzle from now on! Tonight I went to my mums and kept Alfie on the collar. Before I even entered the house he heard the kids and started to growl so I kept Alfie outside the back until I had said hello to everyone and let him calm down.
He was crying and pining outside but I waited until he was calm then let him in. I told the kids to ignore him and give him a brief 'Hello Alfie' and then walk past. His hair stood up again?
I will try anything to get this to stop!
He is so loving and fun when it's on his terms, or when it's with me! but when anyone else gets involved he doesn't seem to enjoy it the same?

Thanks,
Nichola


Answer
Hi Nichola,
Thank you for all the detail.  I now have a far better picture of what's going on.

What I'd like you to do is email your above answer to me directly at DeeBeck7765@aol.com.

We're going to be doing a bit of chatting and it's faster & easier that way.  The first step will be to get Alfie to see your kids as above him in the pack.
Delores