My daughter has a 5/6 months cocker in Brazil. He is being trained by a specialist and is loved by my gaughter and my wife who give him lots of attention, love and protection. The problem: specially in relation to my wife, the dog, unnexpectedly, with no apparent reason, suddenly starts to growl . For four or five times, allways with no reason, unnexpecdedly, suddenly and as a surprise,without any reason or previous indication he bited strongly her arms hurting them. This happened specially in moments of farewell.
Any solution or explanation?? Thank you very much.
Breno

How much is your daughter involved with the actual training? ie is your daughter being trained by the specialist to train the dog? Or is the dog being trained by the specialist? It's always best if the dog can be trained by the owner as this helps to build a mutual bond and asks for respect from the dog......

Hiya....

Hmmmm, could you tell us what colour your cocker is, and also what training methods are being used.....i do have a few ideas, but on what you say so far, is it possible he is upset at being left alone??

How close is his relationship with you and your family....does he shadow you round the house, is he always wanting close physical contact.

Also, does he pinch things and guard them and does he 'play bite' to get attention.

My current thought is that he maybe unable to deal with being left alone.... when a dog is like this, some wreck the house, some pee on stuff, some bark their heads off.......and some become aggressive just as the owners are leaving, in an attempt to stop them from going.
If this IS the case then he needs to be taught how to cope with being on his own...however it is very hard to give accurate information over the net without seeing the dog....and in cases where the dog maybe becoming aggressive it can even be dangerous....hence all my questions!

Em

HI Em

There was a really interesting case of a Belgian Terv in Japan who attacked his owner because he couldn't deal with being left, it was a Peter Neville case and was eventually sorted out by teaching the dog to cope with being alone. The dog had weird name due to translation - "Cougher" !!! Think it must have meant "big strong barker" or similar.... :D

RE the Cocker, it would be interesting to know what sort of training the specialist uses - how does he teach Sit, Come etc.

If other things fit, there is a very slight chance he may have a problem known as rage syndrome, but this needs to be diagnosed carefully :)

Lindsay

Also bear in mind that a Cocker in Brazil is normally an American Cocker following US terminology so colour may or may not be that relevant. Most South Americans refer to our Cockers as English Cockers. Perhaps Breno could confirm whether this is an American or English Cocker?

Oooooh, hadnt thought of that!!!!!

Lindsay....its one part of seperation anxiety that really interests me.....i knew a lab/collie cross that did it to any one leaving the house, very scary. She would growl, and then lunge and bite as you headed for the door after putting shoes/coat on etc.

My own bitch Saffi has on several occasions displayed a similar behaviour, but she directs her aggression at my oldest dog, not at me.........not sure what this means, yet!

Em

You may find that your Staffie's respect for you leads her to divert her frustration onto another target - and your oldest dog is the unfortunate one :(

..sounds like it may possibly be syndrome to me. i had one with it so i know alot about it. but it may be behavour problem too so i think first of all its a good idea to ring a behavourist see what he/she thinks,you need someone hands on to tell you whats wrong.
how often does he do this? and what time?when he attacks does he gives her any warnings before he strikes. even before he starts growling.? does he get a glazed eye look or turn his head in a funny position ?or do anything that he normaly wouldent.
what is he normaly like ? does he bark alot? is he bossy or hide things away and growl? does he ever growl at any other time?
Tell your daughter to write down all those things including date and time of each attack.
Dont jump into thinking theres anything majour wrong with him yet just take a note so you can give the bahvourist a good idea whats going on. Main point , try to show him your not scared but get away from him as safe and quickly as possible.
Let us know how shes getting on with him:)Lady xxxxxxx

Digger....yup, thats precisely what im thinking as well!
His character is at home, utter underdog/wimpboy...... outside he is a bully......basically a total coward, and one of lifes victims...hence Saffi can take any frustration out on him......

Interestingly, either the pup is still too much of a baby to be worth attacking,,,,or she does actually respect him somewhat, but he does not get it in the neck off her.....unless he goes for her food, (which he is stupid enough to do about once a week!)....personally i think he can hold his own if needs be, and she just doesnt see him as being relevant.....

Hmmmmm, will ponder it some more.......oh and in the last week or so, she has started trying to hump him!!!!!!! (she was spayed in march) which she never ever did before!!!

Em

Underdog in the home? OR Omega??? The Omega's role is to defuse any tension - which there may be between his own pack members and strangers - hence the appearance of 'bully' to strange dogs, but your pack may run smoothly at home, therefore very little need for him to direct agression onto himself (apart from the situation at the door.......) My Missy is an Omega, although she can be aggressive towards strange dogs through fear, she also uses it to divert aggression between dogs she perceives as higher ranking.......

Hmmmmmm......

When i had two bitches here, before Dilly came along....and they fought, he would HIDE....so underdog i think......however, all this 'bully/underdog/omega' stuff i think started when a/he was neutered and b/ i walked regularly with several other dogs and owners,,,,adn yes, Omega there i reckon, sent out to meet other dogs, and send them packing if they were not needed or something.

Hmmmmmmm
Em