Question About Cocker Spaniels

These dogs are not the best with kids, regardless of what training they have, my mother had one and had to give her up becuase she was not good with the kids at all, she bit my son once for crawling in her space. She was very loyal to my mother but only her she even bit my stepdad when he tried to get her into the car. These are one person dogs. Good luck.

Hi I love cocker spaniels if your looking for another one go on www.petfinders.org or .com
you type in the type of breed you want,where you live & age your looking for the list is endless. There are so many dogs that need homes. Good luck

I have had several cockers and they r the best with kids next to labs and rotties. Cockers are very protective of their "children". Keep with the dog, give him time to love and grow with the family.

I suggest Google or Ask.com. I've always found Cockers to be not the smartest and excitable, but I've not heard anything bad about children. The "snappy" might be more like "yappy" cuz they just crave attention. But, my experience is limited. Do some internet research. Animal Planet does different shows on different breeds all the time and I vaguely remember one on Cockers. If everything is good, now, then I think you'll be good! You can test them out. Do things to the puppy the children might do (pull the tale, rub the fur the wrong way, pull the fur) and see his reactions - of course, be somewhat more gentle, but make it a test. Good luck!

Hi Cheri,

We just recently moved in with my parents for a short period and they have two crockers. These dogs are very loyal and loving to my parents, however not being around kids very often - they have not adjusted well to my six year son. They are almost to the point of being agressive with him. The dogs are still fairly young. One is three and the other is two. I have noticed that neither dog likes fast movements or the excitability of kids. That normally sends them into a fierce bark mode. Neither has attempted to bite, but still their bark is very scary to a little one. Anyway just my experience. Take care.

Hi C.- I did pet rescue for a long time and this is what we call breed discrimination. BUT some pets do have certain tendencies because they are tendencies of the breed- like I have border collies- there are some things they just can't help- like nipping other dogs heels even though I tell them they are not sheep. The good news is your dog is a puppy- many pets get "ruined" so to speak by people or situations. I would suggest contacting cocker spaniel rescue or just doing some web research as to how to socialize and train the puppy properly regardless of breed and then more breed specific training that will address her cocker instincts. I have met some nasty cockers- but all were adults and rescued from who knows what conditions. I have met all kinds of dogs with terrible issues regardless of breed. Some people just like to rain on your parade too! The best thing you can do is just research the breed and see what it says to do to keep her out of trouble ;) That goes for any dog not just cockers. Also if you decide to go with a trainer -do some research there too- I had a trainer do irrepairable damage to my pomeranian. There are a lot of different methods.

Hello, I am a dog trainer and a mother so I thought I'd offer some advice. Each dog is different even within the breed. But, the best thing you could do for your dog is to train it, working on obedience training daily can prevent behavior problems. You have a large family so I imagine it must be difficult to find the time. But, if you are dedicated to training and socializing your dog properly you should be ok. Let me know if you need any additional advice! Good luck!
J.
webDogTrainer.com

Training is always good. I have a Rottie and she went to training as a puppy and now she minds and knows her right from wrongs. You also have to be sure the dogs get enough attention because dogs get jelous and act up when they lack attention much like people.

We had a cocker growing up and he wasn't the friendlist little guy. He was very loyal to my stepdad but wanted nothing to do with us (me and my sister). I still have two scars on my face from him snapping at me. He also had excitability issues and would leak urine everytime he was excited.

I agree with the statements about obtaining all the knowledge you can about a breed before you get a dog.

I have had two cockers in my life and because they were socialized EVERYWHERE...parks, grocery stores, pet stores, malls, busy locations, other dogs, etc. they have never had an issue with anyone.

Any dog will bark or bite. It is up to us to manage the situation by socialization, having separate kid and dog zones and using when needed.

I am also a trainer and licensed by Dogs & Storks. Their web site has good info, including where all their licensed presenters are located. I am not in your location. I encourage you to invest in a GOOD reward-based trainer that has solutions specifically for children and dogs and comes to your home. Avoid trainers that use compulsion training (choke or prong collars and inappropriate punishment vs. management) and seek someone who can teach you to manage the situation and help your dog learn to think and make good decisions in all situations by teaching appropriate behavior and generalizing that behavior by training in all kinds of places...anywhere you anticipate taking the dog and a few you don't!

Well C. here is my story about MY cocker spaniel,
My dog Ginger at 8 weeks old started biting. Biting over being picked up, biting over taking her toy, biting if you moved in bed (she slept on the end of our bed). I spent thousands of dollars trying to get her "trained", I put her on dog medication for aggression, I took her to dog specialists, I even had a dog "communicator" try to get to the bottom of why she was biting ME..and children..and anyone else she felt irritated by. I KNOW this sounds crazy..but I was desperate. NOW 9 years later I have a 4 1/2 old baby and dont know what to do with this dog who CONTINUES to bite. She bit me all over my hand when I was pregnant and yesterday bit the hell out of my husbands finger because he was moving the apple juice box left my my niece. I am in such a quandry and 9 years have gone by and the dog hasnt gotten any better.
I tell you all of this because I WISH some one would of told me this is a breed trait. HERS is WAY worse than the nipping that can happen but a trait none the less. SO, here is what I would do..watch that puppy for ANY SIGNS of aggression. See if you can put him on his back and tickle his tummy. Try taking food and toys away from him. If ANY of these actions cause him to nip or in my case try to bite your fingers..then give him a new home. Dont be like me, 9 years down the road with a dog that I dont know what to do with because I KNOW she REALLY bites. And by the way, if you have any advice for me, I would REALLY appreciate it..

Broken hearted Cocker Lover,