Sick baby growls and bites family

Thank you for such a warm and informative response. You thought you didn’t know what to say, but actually you gave a lot of insightful help.
Charming Chad has been under the care of some highly revered vets and on flagyl and lactalose medications as well as prescription food every day for 4 years. It’s a roller coaster of good days and bad, but we cope. He had done surprisingly well for 3 years, but this last year has been tougher for both of us. You see, I also live with chronic disabling illness, debilitating pain from spinal injury and discomfort daily from multiple sources. I can’t walk 50 feet without gasping for breath; I have diabetes, a defibrillator ICD for heart failure, lupus and more. When Chad was first diagnosed I asked why God would send me a dog in such need when I had so much required to care for myself. The answer was, “Who better to understand his needs and commit to give him the care than someone who is walking in his steps? What would I want done for me; and if not me, who would do it?”
Thanks for the suggestion that pain/sedation medications are an option to suggest to the vet when I feel it might be helpful. We’ve made some simple lifestyle changes. We went from full show grooming to a short shave and sweaters to keep warm because sometimes we just don’t feel like being bothered unnecessarily. We use the muzzle when performing necessary grooming. We try to stick to our diets, but sometimes we cheat and enjoy a treat because ya’ gotta have a little pleasure now and then. We may pay for it later when he vomits or my blood sugar spikes so we try to get back on program and do better.
Since Chad has limited communication skills, I’m trying to educate the human family to let him initiate and dictate contact. Speak to him, but if he growls, leave him alone, let him come to you. Speak more softly, don’t blast with a harsh voice in his face (who wants to attend a rock concert with a migraine headache?). As you pointed out we need to move more slowly and gently (the kids need to work on their hyperactivity and shouting over each other anyway) . Now that this point has been reinforced by “the expert” maybe they’ll take heed. Thanks. Myself, I need to work more on speaking gently to get his reaction before picking him up. You gave great tips on that procedure.
The Cocker Spaniel, Stewart age 3, is 4 times the size of Chad and healthy other than an ear infection. But he jockeys for position for love, praise and attention, sometimes stepping over or on Chad to get it. Last night I came home in considerable pain, both dogs greeting me jumping, with poor Chad being trampled, I crashed on the couch, and Chad jumped up snuggling beside me. Stewart jumped into Chad’s space stepping on him to get in my face. While I struggled to hold Stewart off, Chad looked up at me as to sigh, got up and walked across my lap to wedge himself between my other leg and the arm of the couch. I had to make Stewart lie down, then pet them both together.
Stewart’s not mean, just not paying attention in his excitement. Other times Stewart will actually look for/check on Chad or fetch and lead him back in the house. So my next challenge it to train Stewart with some basic manners so he will be less of a challenge for Chad. I’m looking to your training materials for coaching in that. The family learns better communication skills, Stewart learns better manners, I have purpose in my life, and we’re all the better for what Chad has taught us. Chad got the right home after all. Thanks again.