Agression and biting?

[kbpr2004]

Hiya this is my first time on posting anything on this site so forgive me if I'm in the wrong section...
I'm looking for some advice if possible about my 6 year old black cocker called Dillon, he's the love of my life but this last year he's started getting a little agressive and snappy towards us...it seems he's getting territorial over things. Yesterday I sat on my bed and he bit me on the back of the arm! 

He's always been my loving cuddly boy and I wondered if anyone else has had this sort of problem or if anyone has any ideas on what I can do with him to get him back to my cuddly boy again? My husband says that I've spoilt him to much...maybe I have??

The vet said I need to start making him know what order the pack goes in by making him eat after us not letting him on the sofa or the bed at bedtime but that's not the time when he's naughty...

So any good tips would be gratefully received.

[Karma]

Your vet is not the person to ask for behaviour advice.

Firstly ask your vet to give your dog a thorough physical check (including blood tests for thyroid function, and an eyesight check).  Then ask for a referral to a good behaviourist, one who doesn't cling to the old-fashioned notions of pack theory and dominance (if you post whereabouts you are, members here may be able to advise you of someone to see).

Do I assume he was on your bed when you sat down?  Was he asleep?  Did you disturb him in any way, or was he startled?

Assuming he is physically well, it does sound like guarding behaviour, which can be very complex, but is managable with the right techniques.  A really good book on the subject is "Mine" by Jean Donaldson.  I would advise you, in the short term, to be careful not to invade his personal space - if he is on your bed, use a treat to lure him off before you sit down.... this isn't a solution to the problem, but should stop you being bitten in the meantime.  If he does growl or warn you off in any way, respect this... back off and then call him away from the area he is protecting - again this is a short term strategy to prevent further aggression while you work on the issues that are leading to the guarding.  Don't tell him off for any growling - this is his way of warning you he's uncomfortable with the situation.  A behaviourist is best placed to give you longer-term advice, as they will be able to observe the whole spectrum of his behaviour and might be able to pinpoint causes/triggers which you are unaware of, and so can't tell us about. 
Another good technique which can help in the meantime is hand-feeding - this is a great tool for building trust between dog and owner.
Also do be consistent about any rules you have - if, for example, you sometimes allow him on your bed, and other times he gets told off for being there he will get confused and will be more likely to react aggressively.

Personally, as the bed (and potentially the sofa??) are currently areas he *is* guarding, I would keep him off them - not to show him his place in the pack, but to prevent further conflict while you work on the behaviour.  When he eats (before or after you) will have no bearing on his behaviour... 

[Pudding]

Hi..Karen ...yer it's me ...I was so hoping karma would post as she is so good...her advice is always very very help full...the more info you can give her the better ...you should tell her you have 2 dogs ..and you are from Essex

[phoenix]

hi there, welcome to Col!
I'm  glad Karma has answered you first, the best advice.
You have my sympathies , mine has his moments, from the day he brought him home as a puppy.  He is much better now, thanks to all the advice on Col .When I understood how he was thinking, I modified the situations and my reactions. In my case, direct eye contact  when he is guarding, and anger must be avoided.Walk away , leave him alone briefly, and he is desperate to be friends. Telling him off results in big sulks!
He needs his personal space and is upset by uninvited stroking by strangers. If they dont put their hands out, he sniffs them happily, then minds his own business. He is a very happy, clever,playful boy, with perfect manners with all dogs.
Do you get him checked out by a sympathetic vet. Another of our members reported a sudden change in her pet's behaviour, and he was found to be very ill.
Keep posting.

[kbpr2004]

Hiya...thanx for advise peeps...he does have his moments he's always won't let you get his toys off him or if he's got a bone etc He's never like it at dinner time you can take his food away and put in his bowl and nothing...
He does it more when either of us are with him for instance his ritual everynight is we sit in the lounge Dilly on the floor most of the time...my hubby will get up for his shower before bed and once he hears the shower finish he guards the lounge and don't let hubby back in, if he tries to come in he launches himself at my husband but if my husband walks in he carries on barking and growling but then settles down and wants a cuddle.
When he bit me the other day he was playing with my hubby on the bed and when I walked in he did the same as the shower ritual but after he calmed down in the kitchen I let him back in the bedroom...he then sat on the bed and I sat down to put socks on and just looked at him and said you ok now that's when he launched at me and sank his teeth in my arm! OUCH! After he done it though he's so sorrowful and wants a cuddle...
It seems to have started when I lost my job last year and started to be home all the time but then I started looking after and walking dogs that's when he started being like it with the some of the dogs I sitted, but I'm not back in full work and he's only like it every now and then with us. It's like he can only be friends with one at a time...
We did end up keeping a little dog Tyler but Dilly does get on really well with him and they play but it's only once in a blue moon he'll have ago at Tyler and it's normally over nothing, well seems nothing?
It's hard to explain...they both sleep with us everynight and he don't do it at bedtime?? He has but that seems to have stopped?
He used to be like it in the mornnings when my hubby went to work once he got up he wasnt allowed to come back in the bedroom and kiss me goodbye but they have a morning ritual that he's used to now when my husband goes to work he gets off the bed waits for his treat then he gets back on the bed once he's left for work.
He's the perfect dog when we are out so I def think it's to do with indoors.