My Blue Roan Cocker Spaniel

Question
I have a male 5yr old cocker. He came from the Dog Rescue when he was 15 months old. He has a lovely nature but was very frightened by some rather large labradors when young and now goes for all of them if we are out walking. This year his beloved Master died and He does seem a lot worse now. Would that have anything to do with his aggresive behavour?What can I do to help him.
Rosina Flower

Answer
I am guessing you may be a little older and the dog was mostly your husband's.  You may not have the strength or even be too gentle to control the dog on lead. I would buy a head collar.   The leading brands are Promise,  Haltie, and Gentle Leader.  They have a strap going around the dogs nose looking something like a muzzle.  They work by pulling the dogs head around.  No other way gives you such great control with so little force.  They are easy to use, you only have to remember not to give the leash a sudden jerk.  You should be able to find them at pet stores.  Just put it on when you go for a walk.  You can leave it attached to the leash.  Keep a standard flat collar for his rabies and any other ID tag.  Keep a firm grip on it, and he will walk right by the nasty Labradors.  

He may have relied on his master to handle problems like the other dogs.  With his master gone, he may now feel he is in charge and responsible to protect himself and you.  You must take over as top dog.  The dogs see all the
people and dogs in the household as a pack with each having their own rank in
the pack and a top dog.  Life is much easier if the 2 legged pack members
outrank the 4 legged ones.  You can learn to play the role of top dog by
reading some books or going to a good obedience class. A good obedience class
or book is about you being top dog, not about rewarding standard commands with
a treat.  There are many good books.  You will not go wrong with How to be Your Dog's Best Friend by the Monks of New Skete.  If you take a class, the instructor may not like head collars.  They are not the way things have always been done.  You don't need to argue.  Do things the instructors way in class, and use the head collar when you walk him at home.