Protective instincts??

[katya]

Oh my.. my Mishka is almost 10 months old and has started to "protect" me. one time i was sitting on a bench when a man approached us asking if she was friendly. she usually is with everyone, especially kids but she went beserk barkng at this man. i had to hold on to her and pray she wouldnt get loose.then she barked at a man and his dog while we were inside the car in a parking lot. she sometimes barks at neighbors or other dogs but never like now. she's so sweet. i don't want her to get so worked up . she snapped at my uncle over Thanksgiving. i was washing dishes with her by my side and my uncle went around me to open the fridge and Mishka barked at him.
I'm happy my little one loves and wants to protect me but i want her to be able to control herself and vice versa. i am looking for trainers to help with this.What do you guys think?

[GSDBESTK9]

Doesn't sound like she is being protective, sorry. Yes, find a good trainer.

[codmaster]

Find one quick!

I would also try to look at WHO she is reacting to - can you see any pattern to the people (or environments) that your dog reacts to?

[Lucy Dog]

As mentioned, this is not being protective. Sounds like you've got a serious case of fear aggression on your hands.

[martemchik]

Yeah, these kinds of random acts of aggression towards friendly strangers is not protective. It is more likely fear based. Were both of them wearing hats or something to that affect? Dogs react to the funniest things.

[katya]

I feared as such. There have only been 3 occasions where she,reacted weirdly and the first
was on Thanksgiving night while I was sitting on a bench and a man who was walking by
wanted to know if she was friendly and he seemed weird but I didn't notice that until after she started barking . Im not sure what set her off but ived called and spoken to a trainer about this behavior. She's very friendly and usually let's anyone pet her and she's very alert but not nervous.
so this behavior is very concerning to me. Thanks for the advice

[doggiedad]

what trainng or socializing has your dog had
untill this point (10 months old)? find a trainer.

[katya]

hi, she's had 3 months of basic training which she did very well in and was even recommended for SAR by her old trainer. She hasn't had any training for a few months because of my work schedule but she's very smart and a quick learner. and is around small children and other dogs, haven't had any problems with her. she's very adapted to being around people and a bit too friendly which is why this new problem is puzzling me.

[doggiedad]

you can train before work and after work or do
you mean she hasn't been to a class in 3 months?

Originally Posted by katya

hi, she's had 3 months of basic training which she did very well in and was even recommended for SAR by her old trainer.

>>>>>She hasn't had any training for a few months because of my work schedule but she's very smart and a quick learner.<<<<<

and is around small children and other dogs, haven't had any problems with her. she's very adapted to being around people and a bit too friendly which is why this new problem is puzzling me.

[katya]

She hasn't had formal training for 3 months but i do work with her.