vey attached,Timid ,aggressive 6month old cocker

Question
We recently purchased Obie and he was 6months old. he is from a reputable breeder . I know the owner and met some of the dogs. obie was sold for 2 weeks at Xmas and returned because the owners had to keep him crated all the time. well here we are getting him at 6 months old , timid and instead of attaching to my 11 yr, old son he is in love with me. I have taken him on many walks and he is in training at a Pets Smart. they call him scardey pants. He growls when you take some important things away and does play with my brothers 3 yr. old dog once a week. he will allow some petting from strangers and I make them give him food all the time. he sleeps in a crate nicely in my sons room. he growled at a 2 yr. old at work the other night and I am thinking he is not to be trusted . also has gone after my old cat(14) she can handle him though. what should I do? I'm not used to being cried for and followed constantly. HELP!!!!!

Answer
Hi Nanette,
First of all, you've caught this growling business early
and therefore it can be handled relatively easily.

When he growls (and I take it he's never nipped or attempted to bite?) I want you to get on his level, STARE him right in the eyes and calmly & authoritatively say NO.  Do not break eye contact until he turns away.  (This means "you win").
No yelling..no hitting..no conversation..just NO and keep eye contact.  Please try this and let me know what happens.
This is alpha behavior from you and he should cave fairly quickly.  

As to his timidity/fearfulness...do NOT pet or comfort and I know that sounds mean :)...but it's encouraging the problem.  He will get over this in time but this pup has been bounced around from breeder to crate to breeder and now to you.  If you act like there's nothing to fear, he'll pick that up and right now he's a little anxious and the more you react to that anxiety, the more anxious he'll get.

The growling, however, needs to be dealt with promptly, so please try my suggestion and we'll go from there depending on his response.
Don't worry about the cat.  He'll quickly learn to respect her and to back off "or else" :)  Be patient and calm with him and at his training sessions, just "carry on" as if all is well.
And, of course he's in love with you.  You feed him, walk him, train him and you're his pack leader.
Delores