house training and older dog

Question
QUESTION: i have co0cker spaniel puppy we bought at the age of 16 weeks, she is pretty much house broken , she goes out teh doggie door, does not urinate in the house when we ar gone, except she will pee in front of you when she is not getting attention that is given to our older cocker .spaniel, any help there, also our 11 year old cocker, who is very laid back and calm had constantly made this growling noise every time the puppy comes near her. our basset died 2 years ago and they got along fine. When we are not watching  they seem to get along fine but if we are right there the older cocker is growling, not aggressive but around her food, but she usually gives it up. any suggestions, i am ready to throw the towel in

ANSWER: Once past 3 years old, many dogs don't want anything to do with puppies, their sharp little teeth, and their biting games.  You need to teach the puppy to leave the older dog alone.  As soon as the puppy starts to focus on the older dog, give it a sharp ''Ah, ah, ah!'' and offer it a chew toy.

urinating in fron of you for attention is more likely a leadership problem than housebreaking.  The key to most behavior problems is approaching things using the dog's natural instincts. 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. Start at http://www.dogsbestfriend.com/ For more on being top dog, see http://www.dogbreedinfo.com./topdogrules.htm

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QUESTION: do you suggest any certain book on teh "being top dog" we live in a very small town and the closest obedience training is 11/2 hours away. she has not done it in over a week and prayerfully she is over it....doubtly so. Thank you so much for your help and information.

Answer
I don't find what I think are better books at bookstores and Libraries.  Amazon serves the smallest communities.  I like the Monks of New Skete and How to be your Dog's Best Friend.  There are many other good books out there too.  

Here is a list put together by the professionals at a dog guide school for those caring for their dogs.

The Cultural Clash by Jean Donaldson, 1996

Excel-crated Learning by Pamela Reid, 1996

Don't Shoot the Dog, by Karen Pryor, 1996

Surviving Your Dog's Adolescence, by Carol Lea Benjamin, 1993

Second Hand dog, by Carol Lea Benjamin, 1988

Dog Problems, by Carol Lea Benjamin, 1989

Super Puppy, by Peter J. Vollmer, 1988

HELP, Mt dog Has an Attitude, by Gwen Bohnenkamp, 1994

Owners' Guide Better Behavior in Dogs and Cats, by William Campbell, 1989

What All Good dogs Should Know, By Wendy Vollmer, 1991

How to Raise a Dog When Nobody is Home, Jerry Kilmer, 1991