claire don't get too downhearted about this , working bred cockers can make excellent pets and he's young enough to get under control, he's only doing what his instincts are telling him , he's working , problem is he's gone 'self employed ' if he's only to be a pet then there are only two basic commands he needs to learn , stop to the whistle and recall to the whistle any working bred cocker can be taught these quite easily. It is important though that he gets exersised daily to let off some steam !! Have you done any training with him ? Do you use a whistle ?