Growling dog

[Whatissheliketwelve]

I'm after some advice from you knowledgeable bunch please...
I have a 2yo cocker spaniel who is generally the loveliest boy but has just growled at my ds, we have literally just come home from school and it was like he didn't recognise him and growled at him, now this alone probably wouldn't worry me but he has previously on two separate occasions growled at a my ds friends when they've been over after school, the first occasion the friend actually 'growled' at my dog first and I just thought he had scared him, asked the friend not to do it again as he didn't like it and just kept my dog in the kitchen so it didn't escalate. My dog then did it again with another friend with nothing that should have scared him, I had thought maybe it was because we had come round the back of the house not the front and maybe he doesn't like that? Which is what we did today, I purposely came home through the back to remind myself to get my washing in....could it just be because we came in through the back? Do I need to get a specialist in? I should also add we have had other young children (friends and family) round in between all of this and had no problems at all! It's making me anxious as he's such a lovely boy and I would hate for something serious to happen! Thanks in advance x

Could be the start of resource guarding eg guarding space/you. Very common in cockers and yes you need proper help to manage it. A clinical behaviourist would be the best but make sure they are IMDT or ABTC approved, not some random on Facebook. Most vets will be able to refer you.

Thank you for replying, i was worried that could be the problem! I am definitely his 'person' I think I'll contact our vet and see if they can recommend anyone local to us

Cocker rage is a thing.

As is pain.

1st thing take him to the vets for a thorough check over to make sure there's no underlying issues.

Vets first. Then if all good you need behavioural help as children are involved. It sounds like he’s been scared by the first child and learnt kids are scary.

A good reward based behaviourist will help. Keep him away from children as best you can in the mean time.

Vet check especially ears.

Cocker rage is a very very very rare thing and does not display as growling so I would not worry about that .

However spaniels can be sensitive souls and I would get in qualified help to get you on the right track asap. From what you have said I would say fear from first child and you scared him coming in the back as he usually hears you from the front door.

A good plan to teach your dog to feel calm will help a load and a qualified behaviourist will get a plan that works for your family

Thank you everyone, I appreciate your comments! I'm going to ring the vets after work and get some advice

"Cocker rage" is incredibly, incredibly rare - I do wish people would stop blaming it for every single issue in cocker spaniels.

You're doing the right thing by getting a vet check - until then I wouldn't allow him around the DC unless under strict supervision as you don't want things to escalate. Once he's had the all-clear (assuming he does), then I would speak to your vet about getting help from a proper behaviourist - as there are children involved, you need to make sure it's someone accredited and who can come an see you in person.

Good luck!

I remember being surprised by our very sweet lurcher beginning to growl when she was about two - generally if she could see people on the land that our garden backs onto and also when postmen and delivery people came to the door.

It was quite a surprise because she had been, if anything, over-friendly to everyone she met before then. I spoke to the vet and he said not to worry too much - some dogs become increasingly territorial at maturity and feel they need to protect their pack. We shouldn't ever teach them not to growl because it is a warning.

What I have done is try to teach her that 'guarding' the door is NOT her job. I put her in a different room when I answer to the postman or get her to stay back. Now, when strangers come into the house, she's fine because she trusts I've welcomed them in.

It's been a bit of a headache, and I definitely had moments of worrying we had an aggressive dog in the making, but as time has gone on, she's got better and doesn't growl at strangers so much anymore.

Also want to add, the growl should be seen as a welcome warning. My children were always taught if the dog growls you leave it alone.

it’s the dog that moves with no warning that I’d really worry about.