Growling

Question
QUESTION: Hi my 5 month cocker pup when running after an item growls very aggressively as he approaches the item.  Sometimes he growls when he is being picked up and I feel he would snap or bite in time.  Any ideas?

ANSWER: The growling when "chasing" is just play.

But the growling when you pick him up is not.

How much training has he had?  What commands does he know?  How much exercise does he get?

I need some specifics.  Where is he (on furniture?) when he growls on being picked up?
What do you do when he growls?
Delores

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

QUESTION: Hi again, great news about the first growling issue.  As for your question here goes.  The pup gets lots of exercise.  In general he is as all pups mad as a hatter into everything.  However if he doing something you don't agree with and you say stop or no bold dog, he will bark back at you.  If you go to move him away from the item in question he will growl and it is a snarling growl.  On the odd occasion he will turn to snap.  If he is in a corner and you go to get him he has a most aggressive growl.  He seems very strong willed and challenges all commands.  even when walking and when he nears home he will pull on his leash in the direction of home and if you do not go with the direction he will sit and not move even if you try to drag him which I would try not to do.  I have had about 5 dogs and he is the most willful i have ever had but I think he is the brightest so far also.  Is this an Alpha dog thing?

Answer
With a cocker, it can be "here's the good news...he's really smart" and "here's the bad news...he's really smart". :)

The next time you give a verbal correction and he "reacts" with barking or growling, I'd like you to get about 3 feet away from him - get down on his level and very quietly but firmly say NO and stare into his eyes with an "I mean this" look on your face.

Continue saying NO and eyeballing him until he turns away.
When he breaks eye contact, you just won that round.

At this point this is just him challenging you but all this behavior needs to be addressed NOW or yes, this can escalate.

I'd like you to write me personally at DeeBeck7765@aol.com because this is going to need a bit of chat and you really need to get all over him immediately.  I have a few good tricks up my sleeve for puppies who think they're the Alpha Dog :)
Delores