aggresive cocker spaniel

Question
I HAVE A MALE COCKER SPANIEL AROUND 1 YEAR OLD I GOT HIM IN NOVEMBER 2007 HE WAS DOING REALLY GREAT UNTIL ABOUT 2 MONTHS AGO HE STARTED GETTING AGGRESIVE WITH MY 10 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER. HE WILL PLAY FINE WITH HER THEN ITS LIKE HE FLIPS HE STARTS BARKING AND GROWLING AND NOW HE WILL EVEN CHARGE AFTER HER AND HE HAS DONE IT TO ME SOME BUT NOT AS MUCH AS HER SOMETIMES HE WILL RUN TO MY HUSBAND STILL GROWLING HIDE BEHIND HIM WE REALLY LOVE HIM BUT I CANT TAKE THE CHANCE OF HIM HURTING MY DAUGHTER SO WHEN DOES THIS WE PUT HIM IN HIS PEN.

Answer
Hi Cathy, i am really no expert in animal behaviour, however what i can suggest is  you give a behavourist a telephone call and see if they can offer any advice, can you think of anything that may have happened to change his behaviour does he suddenly become spooked and then start growling?, how old was he when you got him? What you could try is when this happens immediately stand up turn your back on him and ignore him until he stops (which im sure he will) when he has stopped barking or growling reward him and say good boy good quiet boy! i will add though its best you or your husband does this, unless he can stop this behaviour i would not allow your ten year old to play with him unless you are with her, if he does it to her again both stand up together turn your back on him and ignore him, does he understand the word BED if he does and he dosent stop turn around make eye contact and order him to his bed, you are right that this behaviour cannot continue and he needs to know his place, it maybe that something has scared him and certain things trigger it off, but i would really recommend you call a behavourist or take a visit to the vets. I hope this works out for you. Also has he been neutured you could also ask the vet about this.
Take care and best wishes
Kathy