I HAVE A GOLD COCKER SPANIEL, BILLY, WHO WILL BE 5 YRS OLD IN FEBRUARY 06.
WE HAD HIM AT 8 WEEKS AND INTRODUCED HIM TO OUR VERY LOYAL BLACK COCKER, LOTTIE. SHE IS 12 MONTHS OLDER THAN BILLY.
RECENTLY, WE HAD A GET TOGETHER WITH FAMILY AND BILLY WAS SITTING NEXT TO ME WHEN A FAMILY MEMBER, BOY AGED 10, CAME OVER TO ME, BENT DOWN TO BILLY' FACE  TO STROKE HIM. HE SUDDENLY GROWELLED AT HIM AND SORT OF WENT TO SNAP AT HIM.
HE HAD NEVER SHOWN ANYTHING LIKE THIS BEFORE AND I PUT IT DOWN TO HIM BEING OFF THAT DAY. AS THE WEEKS WENT BY MY SON VISITED WITH MY GRANDDAUGHTER (18 MONTHS) AND AS SHE LOOKED AT BILLY THROUGH THE PATIO DOORS, BILLY BOUNCED AT THE GLASS BARKING AND BEARING HIS TEETH AT HER. THIS FRIGHTENED ME AS IT WAS LIKE HE HAD CHANGED INTO A DIFFERENT DOG!
AFTER CAREFUL CONSIDERATION, WE AGREED TO RE-HOME HIM WITH MY HUSBANDS AUNT, WHOM LIVES ON HER OWN. SHE TOOK HIM EVERYWHERE WITH HER. TO WORK, FOR WALKS EVERY DAY, AND GAVE HIM LOTS OF ATTENTION. HE EVEN HAD A SPECIAL PLACE AT HER HOME. NOW SHE INFORMS ME THAT HE BARKS AT EVERYONE WHEN SHE WALKS HIM. HE WAS IN HER CAR WITH HER AND WHEN HER FRIEND PUT HER HAND IN TO STROKE HIM, HE TURNED HIS HEAD TOWARDS HER AND SNAPPED AT HER.
SHE LEFT HIM AT HOME FOR AN HOUR TODAY AND ON HER RETURN FOUND HE HAD URINATED ON HER BED AND PILLOWS.
HE IS COMING BACK HOME TO ME LATER TODAY BUT I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT IS CAUSING THIS BEHAVIOUR OR IF IT COULD BE RAGE SYNDROME? CAN THIS JUST START UP WHENEVER?
I NEED SOME PURE CONSTRUCTIVE ADVISE. PLEASE HELP!!!

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME

CALLY

First of all Cally, can you turn your Caps off?  Makes it difficult to read posts :)

I'm sorry to hear of the worry you have over Billy - have you had him checked over by the Vet?   I would have done this as a first step.

His behaviour with your husband's Aunt may well be because he has missed his family, but I do understand your concern for the children.

Get him checked out by the vet, and take advice from him - he will probably suggest a behavourist, and if you are insured, the insurance should cover it.

Regards

Margot

Thanks for the info Margot, i will seek his help/advise tomorrow.

Another problem i forgot to mention is that, when i give Lottie, my other cocker, attention lately, Billy goes ape at her and bullies her. He really has changed but i don't know why.

Apart from these problems, he really is a loving dog. So difficult to understand.

Thank You once again

Caly x

A vet has to be your first call as medical problems can often be the root of a change of behaviour.  With a Cocker I would be looking especially at thyroid conditions which would require a FULL blood test.

Thank You so much for your response, i will be seeing his vet and taking some advise.
Would having him neutered be the answer. Someone suggested this to me.

Your answers are greatly appreciated.

Thank You

Caly

What you have described does not sound at all like rage (something that I have experience of, unfortunately).

I would ensure that he has a full medical check-up including blood tests and also tests for eyesight and deafness.  From your description, he appears to be reacting to sudden and close movements - this could be caused by the sudden onset of eyesight problems or deafness (both of which can really confuse a dog if they come on suddenly).  The urination on the bed may be a coincidence, due to him being confused and unsettled, or could be the symptom of some medical problem which is causing his other reactions.

It really doesn't sound like rage syndrome, at all.
With rage, as i understand it, the attacks are quite unprovoked and the dog appears as normal, loving etc afterwards. These episodes are not unprovoked (in the dog's eyes that is! ;) )

Lindsay
x

Thank You for your comments. I will take the advise and try what you have suggested.

Thanks Again

Caly