Nervous Cocker Spaniel

Question
QUESTION: I have a 1 year old American Cocker Spaniel and he is super nervous. When we got him from the lady who breed him, she told us that he has had an aggressive past and is not well around strangers. We just don't know how to approach the problem. When we walk him he lunges at people, growls and barks and shows his teeth, either me or my boyfriend have to hold him by the collar so we have him away from the people. He also cant be left alone, he barks for hours and whimpers. I just don't know what to do anymore.

ANSWER: I need a little more information.

How is he around other dogs?
Does he display aggression at any other time or just when he's confronted with strangers?
How long is he left alone?
How is he when you have friends over?
Does your budget allow for one-on-one training at home?
How long have you had him?

I need you to be very specific.  But I will tell you this can be fixed
with proper training but the breeder was incredibly irresponsible in selling this particular dog to an inexperienced owner.
Delores

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

QUESTION: Well Around Other animals, Hes great.
He does not show any aggression at any other time ONLY when confronted with strangers.
During the day Hes only left alone while I'm at work. And when he is left alone, hes crated. I'm usually gone 6 - 8 hours.
When friends come over, He barks a bit, but then settles down, he sometimes jumps.
We do a lot of obedience training at home and he picks up on it really well
Ive had him since he was 5 months old.

Answer
Kellie, 6 to 8 hours in a crate is going to lead to a bad place.
Is there any chance of a mid-day dogwalker or perhaps doggy daycare
while you're working?
I think this is why you're having a problem with him being alone.
cockers are incredibly "social" dogs and really can't take being isolated for that long every day...especially crated.

Now as to his aggression.  You're lucky - this is specific and he's being nervous of strangers and "that's it".  The more specific the aggression the easier it is to solve.

How to do that?  Well - it's de-sensitizing him and your attitude is what he's going to pick up on.  So - to start - on his walks "anticipate" the aggression and correct BEFORE it starts.

When you see someone approaching - make him sit - you be calm and matter of fact.  If he even moves or grrr's - a short, sharp tug on his leash - Command SIT..any agitation "NO".  Be calm, very calm.

When the person has passed it's "Okay, let's go" in a happy cheery voice. Give a treat.
You have told him that this is nothing to fear - that you're not upset or fearful and press on.

You need to walk him at LEAST 1/2 hour twice a day and expose him to as many people as possible.  He's fearful and needs to get over it.
The more it happens - the faster he'll respond.

And get him out of that crate for 8 hours.  It's way too long and it's detrimental.  I know doggy daycare can be expensive and if you can't do that he needs a dogwalker mid-day for both his mental and physical health.
Delores