Aggressive Cockers

I get lots of phone calls from owners with aggressive dogs but I have recently noticed a pattern. In the last few weeks, 90% of the aggression enquiries I have received have had Cocker in the name of the dog. Cockapoos and Cocker Spaniels are obviously causing a lot of problems for their owners, so what is it with these aggressive cockers?

When you buy a Cocker puppy of any variety, what you get is a small bundle of fluff. The Cockapoo is bred for its soft, silky coat. Yes they are cute and of course the natural instinct is to cuddle them. This is just what owners do, forgetting to instil any basic foundational training into their new puppy. With no structure, boundaries or limitations, the Cocker grows into a headstrong and dominant dog.

It’s never just a nibble

A couple of examples stand out from recent clients. One seven year old Cocker jumped out of the car and attacked a runner. When questioned, the owner admitted the dog had been aggressive for years and resource guarded. They had seen a behaviourist who advised the owner praised and rewarded all behaviour with food.

Another client’s dog had attacked a grandchild. I often see this as a catalyst for contacting me. I was not surprised to learn that the dog is regularly aggressive. This kind of behaviour is often excused as ‘just nibbling’. If a dog is using their teeth in anyway on anyone, that’s not a nibble.

The only way to prevent the development of this behaviour in these aggressive cockers is to instil structure and discipline from day one. Don’t over-love your bundle of fluff, you will do yourself and your puppy no favours. Think about what’s important to you as a dog owner and find a trainer who can achieve this. If your dog has Cocker in the name, it has some working dog in the mix. This will have implications so think before you buy and train accordingly.

Posted: November 12, 2019