4 month old cocker extremely aggressive

Question
QUESTION: I have a 4 month old American Cocker Spaniel and lately he has started becoming very aggressive in general but mostly around his food bowl. This past weekend he has bit me aggressively a total of 5 times, two of them as I was pulling a napkin away from him, and 3 as I was feeding him just last night. What do you recommend I do to break this behavior as soon as possible? I would like for him to be a sociable and happy dog, but I also want him to know that his aggressive behavior will NOT be tolerated.

ANSWER: He's "trying you on" and it sounds like he's winning :)

Next time he growls - get down on his level and STARE into his eyes and say NO quietly but firmly. Remain still. Continue eye contact and NO until he looks away.  You just won.

He needs general training and he gets no food until he "sits" - count to 5 then put his food bowl down.

If you don't begin some intensive training right now, this can and will get a lot worse.  If budget allows, a trainer who comes to the house would be best.  If not, get him into puppy classes.

Try the eye contact and see what happens.  At his age IF you get on top of it, this can be eliminated fairly quickly.

Let me know - I have other tricks up my sleeve for babies who think they're top dog :)
Delores

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

QUESTION: I tried the eye contact thing and though it seemed to work for a second, I ended up getting bit again.

I called the local petsmart and enrolled him into their puppy class they offer but the next one doesn't start until the end of the month. Is there anything else you suggest I do in the meantime?

I also talked to one of my co-workers who takes his dog to the dog park twice a week and I plan on bringing him up there a couple of times a week so he can exercise and socialize. I really love my puppy, and I want him to be able to socialize without fearing that he will bite anyone else.

Answer
Okay - did you maintain eye contact and continue saying NO quietly but firmly?

This has to be handled quickly or things will escalate.

Get a few empty pop cans - put about 15 pennies in - tape top shut.

The next time he growls do the eye contact and NO and if he doesn't back off instantly - pick up the can and say NO and bring it down HARD one time.  (Like you're throwing a baseball to the ground as hard as you can - ONE big crash).  If he continues to growl - move a bit closer and do it again.

Have the cans around - won't do any good if you have to run around finding one.

Once he turns tail, walk away and totally ignore him for half an hour.

This little boy needs to learn when he growls or is threatening that unpleasant things happen.

Never yell - stand still - LOOK serious - maintain eye contact.

This should startle the daylights out of him.
Delores