My dog is out of control and DH is threatening

to get rid of him. I have a 9 year old cocker spaniel that we adpoted from a shelter 6 years ago. He's always had his bad habits but the past few months he's been totally out of control. He will jump on the sofa and then when you tell him to get down he growls. He really has a thing for DH though...the other day DH reprimneded him because he was eating paper and he started growling and nipped at him.

I really don't know what to do. I know its our fault because we never really trained him. DH is threatening to get rid of him but there is no way that I will allow it. The weird thing is that when it's just us for the most part he's an angel dog but when there are other people around he acts up. My sister has been staying with us this week and he's been particulary bad. Right now he jumped on the sofa and started to drink the soda that my sister left in a cup on the side table. When DH went near him he went buck wild. He growls at me too but not as bad as DH.

I don't know wht to do. I get really embarassed when people come over because he acts up. I have a gate in my living room to keep him out and if I lock him out when their is company he barks non-stop. If I let him in he acts up and looks for things to chew. I can't have a dinner in my house because he tries to steal food and if we lock him up once again he will bark non-stop. I refuse to get rid of him but part of me feels like he's too old to be trained. Any suggestions?

Re: My dog is out of control and DH is threatening

Heavy exercise for the pup, to the point of exhaustion, on a daily basis-
And get him to a good dog trainer, quick!

Re: My dog is out of control and DH is threatening

Re: My dog is out of control and DH is threatening

From looking at your avatar, it seems as if you have a new baby, Your dog needs time to adjust to the changes in the house. I would continue to shower the dog with as much love as possible and let him know that he is still a part of your family. When we first brought the baby home, our dog acted up a bit because she used to be the one in control and also because she knew something was different and everyone was yelling at her and trying to keep her away from the the baby. After everyone left and things were just me, DH, baby and dog she got used to the changes and is a million times better now. Also we kept an eye on her around the baby because we werent sure if she would snap at the baby, but I definately think the dog needs to be able to go near the baby and smell her and maybe let her lick ur baby too.

Re: My dog is out of control and DH is threatening

Thanks guys. I think we are definitely going to get a trainer. I don't know how much of his behavior has to do with the baby though because I made sure to give him alot of attention when we brought her home. He also is allowed to sniff her...he honestly ignores her. He's pretty good when it's just us around it's when other people are here and it's a problem he's always had.

Even though DH was threatening to get rid of him yesterday he just took him for a long walk for excersise so maybe we will also try longer walks. Thanks again!

Re: My dog is out of control and DH is threatening

Re: My dog is out of control and DH is threatening

You are describing a lot of the things that dogs that are resource guarders do. I have talked about this problem here before b/c my dog has it. Your dog is guarding anything that he wants to consider as his. That could be an object, his sleeping space or anything he considers valuable. It is a survival instinct but it is not really necessary for domesticated dogs. We got help after my dog bit me when I tried to take away a stuffed Kong. The whole pack leadership is especially important for dogs like this. My dog is not cured, but he is better and I have learned to manage situations. Do a google search for resource guarding in dogs. There is a book called Mine, by Jean Donaldson. As soon as I saw the drawing on the front cover, I was able to recognize that my dog has the problem that she talks about (a trainer told me but the drawing convinced me). This captures my dog's feelings perfectly:

Message edited 12/14/2007 8:41:30 PM.

Re: My dog is out of control and DH is threatening

Sounds like he thinks he is a pact leader of the house. #1 rule with dominant dogs is do not let them on the bed or couch. Even if you have to leave a leash on him to pull him down with that so that he cant bite you.

DH & I went through the same thing with our dog. (50% cocker spaniel) Try looking up some exercises you can do to gain repect from your dog. And make him work for evetything. If he wants to be pet, YOU decide when you are going to pet him and make him do something like sit, stay etc.

GL - I also recommend professional help. This was probably the reason the dog was put in a shelter to begin eith b/c he did not have the proper training when he was a puppy. Try to help him instead of putting him back in a shelter.

I found this link. HTH

Some Tips for Dominant Agression

Re: My dog is out of control and DH is threatening

Totally agree with Denise Marie- get him off the couch! You need to claim it as "your territory," not his, so whatever it takes, get him off! You can't show him you are afraid of him growling, ever, so snap a leash on him and pull him off the couch- YOU are the boss, not him!
And yes, make him "work" for everything! It is called NLIF (nothing in life is free) you can do a search on Google for "nothing in life is free regarding dogs" and it will tell you everything you need to know-
And focus on the walk- YOU are the pack leader, don't let him pull you, insist he heels beside you AT ALL TIMES! You are walking him, he is not walking you! And lastly, exercise exercise exercise! I can't emphasize this enough-
AN EXHAUSTED PUP IS A HAPPY PUP!
This is alot of work on your part, but you sound like you love your pup and I am sure you want the best for him! Best of luck!

Re: My dog is out of control and DH is threatening