Wonder if anyone can help? We have a 7 month old sprocker spaniel, beautiful dog, however in the last month or so she has developed a tendency to growl at us (no one else). This has coincided to a point with her not feeling 100% but certainly not all the time. Its incredibly frustrating as one minute she is adorable and the next she just decides she wants to growl. You can tell as well - her eyes sometime go red, her body language just tells us she in a growly mood. It is also directed 99% of the time at me! Any help or advice would be appreciated.

i think id take her to the vets for a check,just in case theres anything wrong that might be causing this.

Your comment about her not being 100% all the time probably needs more explanation/investigation.

Could be hormonal.

Definitely see the vet and if vet gives all clear and rules out any kind of abnormal brain activity that might account for a sudden change of mood, or hormonal activity that might account for the same or indeed, a virus or some other medical condition, I would think about seeing a behaviourist.

In the meantime try to think very hard as to exactly what goes on when she growls. Is it absolutely, always at you and no one else? Do you do anything with her that might possibly trigger this? For instance some dogs intensely disliked being picked up because it frightens them. A growl is generally a dog's way of telling you they are not happy about something and I am struck that she is mostly doing it with you, or that is what you seem to think. What do you mean by her body language? Does she come towards you and growl or does she seem to want to move away or for you to keep your distance? Has she ever snapped? Is she okay around food and her bed?

Until the vet has given her the all clear I would just be very sensitive to her moods and not push her. If she was in pain or discomfort that might explain the growls.

Do you know the temperament of the two parents, if so are they sound and stable if they are it may well be a health problem but if one or both of the parents have less than sound temperaments it could be she has inherited an less than acceptable temper.

The other things I would consider are -

Has she had her first season, could it be due.

As she is a working dog has she started her training yet and if so has something upset her.