Hi,
We've had our cocker pup for 4 weeks now and she is a lovely affectionate little thing. She is very well behaved except around the children. When they get in from school she starts barking because they're sitting down almost as though she's telling them off and she can nip them playfully (which they don't like) for no reason other than to seek attention. She growls a little if disturbed when asleep but is otherwise very good natured. How can I stop her trying to dominate the children (age 6,8 and 10) before it gets out of hand.

They take it in turns to feed and train her with rewards and are quite sensible in handling her.

She will back down immediately if told "NO!" by an adult but ignores reprimands from the children.

We all adore her and don't want to feel this concern - please help with suggestions.

Hi Carole

Sounds like your puppy doesn't take your kids seriously enough but respects your authority. Your kids are old enough to be able to handle her and so the relationship she has with all the family will have to be restructured so she knows that she must obey ALL members of the family. So try to keep out of it.
The kids already take it in turns to feed and train her which is a good start and they will have to be FIRM and not let her get away with any bad behaviour. Try not to intervene yourself as she may be waiting for you to tell her 'No' when you think she has gone too far so give them simple things to make her do which will be easy for them to insist on. She must obey.
If she is being difficult then get one of them to put her out of the way on her own for a while and then try later. Dog training can be a frustrating business and Cockers can be nasty little beggars so I can understand you wanting her nice nature not to be spoilt. Keep the kids calm around her - shouting and screaming (as kids can play or react if they think they might get a nip) will only excite her. You need to try to make her responsive and attentive towards them - then hopefully she will accept their authority on the same level as yours.

Lara has some excellent points & suggestion. I only want to say that dogs & puppies recognize children as "human puppies." As such, they are not naturally attentive to their authority when it comes to respecting space. Dogs can easily view children as competition for the beta positions. Since your puppy is still new to your household, it's understandable that she makes these mistakes.

It's not impossible or difficult to change this... it just helps to recognize this factor in the training system. Try out the NILFF Program (Nothing in life is for free) & it might help your dog to understand that the children have authority. Another method is to have a child go through puppy obedience school alongside the dog.

Oh, if she nips, even in play, say no or tell the child say no & ignore her for a while. If you/they have to, leave the room. Don't play tug of war games or anything dealing with the hands, arms, or legs. No wrestling. Rough play does encourage mouthing. It's natural for a puppy. Do keep your eyes on the situation....especially for the 6 year old.
Hope these suggestions along with Lara's helps you out a bit. Good luck.
toodles