Gundog Training Forum

its my first cocker bitch at only 4 months she is showing signs of dominance.i have her on the couch with bonding.but as other dogs try and show me affection she snaps them pretty hard.it is quite funny though she wont back down either.just wondering is this signs of whats to come

Tempting as it is to nurse and cuddle a pup on the sofa if a pup reacted like this I would immediately put it on the floor. And if you continue yes it could be the sign of things to come.....And could get worse if you allow it to, don't get hung up about it though..

Then again I'm one of those weird folk that don't allow dogs on the sofa because later in life when they are covered in mud they don't understand why you don't want them on the sofa....I haven't got enough sofa's to have a dedicated dog sofa either. That's not to say I don't join them in their bed for a cuddle and a play though.

Leave her on the floor with the others so she learns her place within the pack don't make her "special" in any way with the other dogs around...When I first introduce a pup I make a point of always fussing the older dogs first or simply ignoring (with a watchful eye) em and leaving them to sort themselves out.

Rascal

I don't allow my dogs on the furniture either. Especially the cocker, he sheds like mad

Allan from memory new pup is circa 4 mths old so not a pup pup in the normal sense of arriving home with an 8 week old.
I would guess she has been introduced with the pack and has been immediately elevated to number two up on sofa with you putting others down the pecking order – she believes this and has taken to defending her position in the pack.
Agree with Rascal put her down with the others and let them sort it out themselves – she will find her natural position with the assistance of the other dogs putting her in her place.
Generally the issue with things like this lies with us as handlers and owners and is driven by our actions so I think the question is less about her dominance and more to do with what actions were taken to spark it. Your 3 big pointers will soon put her in her place

cool thanks for the reply makes sense really

No i don't think cockers in general are dominant but they are very often possessive if you let them. She's trying to keep her resource (you) to herself. I would avoid putting her in a situation where she can develop a bad habit. And yes, she think she is daughter number one right now, bless her. They are easy to spoil aren't they? And so small compared to the rest, we humans are so silly.

Helene

She is resource guarding, not dominant. Her puppy licence will shortly expire and no doubt the others will let her know in no uncertain terms that her behaviour is unacceptable.... in the meantime I would limit her opportunity to practice this sort of behaviour........