A bit too protective

Dooney's Mom · 12-28-2011, 08:54 PM

Since we have moved in with my mom, Dooney is REALLY REALLY bonded to my nephew,Jack, who is 3 years old.

She is wonderful with him, but when my other younger brother (who has seen her SEVERAL times got here to stay for 2 weeks a few days before Christmas, Dooney was barking, growling, lunging, snarling at him and blocking Jack. I have NEVER heard her sound like that before, not while barking at strangers, other dogs, etc- let alone someone she knows. My brother came towards her to pet her and I actually was not sure she WASN'T going to bite him so I made him back off and I made her lay down and calm down (away from my nephew) after that she was 100% fine. She also did this same behavior the day before but with someone she had never met and not until the girl headed down the hallway to my nephews room did she growl (i was not home)

Any suggestions on how to handle this? its not like i can go around inviting strangers to come in the house ?

PaddyD · 12-28-2011, 09:07 PM

"barking, growling, lunging, snarling at him and blocking Jack"
This is a little confusing. I thought she was protecting Jack and blocking your other brother.
Also
This is not 'a bit too protective', this is VERY protective.

Dooney's Mom · 12-28-2011, 10:41 PM

Sorry- she was in between my nephew and my brother not wanting my brother to come any closer to Jack (nephew).

So is there anything I can/should do? I am starting up another obedience class in January after the first of the year.

Good_Karma · 12-29-2011, 07:26 AM

Bumping this up, anyone have suggestions for Wendy?

ponyfarm · 12-29-2011, 08:10 AM

Obedience Class! Has she not started yet?

She needs to learn her words..sit, down, stay, and whatever you use for NO! .I use "aught". Work on those words, skills all the time, in play, in work. Help her learn to do what you ask. Praise her with treats and your words. Work with her constantly. Have her dragging a leash when people are around so you can quickly redirect her to minding you.

You do not want her to deciding on her own who is allowed where. Good luck.

ponyfarm · 12-29-2011, 08:11 AM

Sorry, just saw that she is starting 'another obedience class". Perfect!

Dooney's Mom · 12-29-2011, 09:45 PM

That's ok! She is normally pretty good about listening to me at any other time and she does know those basic commands, but they just weren't working fast enough at the time. I will just go back to basics with her I guess!! thanks!!

12-28-2011, 08:54 PM	#1 (permalink)
Dooney's Mom Master Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Deland, Fl Posts: 646	A bit too protective Since we have moved in with my mom, Dooney is REALLY REALLY bonded to my nephew,Jack, who is 3 years old. She is wonderful with him, but when my other younger brother (who has seen her SEVERAL times got here to stay for 2 weeks a few days before Christmas, Dooney was barking, growling, lunging, snarling at him and blocking Jack. I have NEVER heard her sound like that before, not while barking at strangers, other dogs, etc- let alone someone she knows. My brother came towards her to pet her and I actually was not sure she WASN'T going to bite him so I made him back off and I made her lay down and calm down (away from my nephew) after that she was 100% fine. She also did this same behavior the day before but with someone she had never met and not until the girl headed down the hallway to my nephews room did she growl (i was not home) Any suggestions on how to handle this? its not like i can go around inviting strangers to come in the house ? __________________ Wendy Beaulieu's Dooney Von Pell- GSD 01/25/2011 RIP- Skye- WGSD 1991-2007 2 psycho cats- Diva & Jake

12-28-2011, 10:41 PM	#3 (permalink)
Dooney's Mom Master Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Deland, Fl Posts: 646	Sorry- she was in between my nephew and my brother not wanting my brother to come any closer to Jack (nephew). So is there anything I can/should do? I am starting up another obedience class in January after the first of the year. __________________ Wendy Beaulieu's Dooney Von Pell- GSD 01/25/2011 RIP- Skye- WGSD 1991-2007 2 psycho cats- Diva & Jake

12-29-2011, 07:26 AM	#4 (permalink)
Good_Karma Crowned Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Upstate, NY Posts: 4,103	Bumping this up, anyone have suggestions for Wendy? __________________ Leah: Newbie dog owner Niko: American Showline GSD 2 1/2 years old Rosa: American Muppet Dog (GSD/Border Collie mix) 3 years old

12-29-2011, 09:45 PM	#7 (permalink)
Dooney's Mom Master Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Deland, Fl Posts: 646	That's ok! She is normally pretty good about listening to me at any other time and she does know those basic commands, but they just weren't working fast enough at the time. I will just go back to basics with her I guess!! thanks!! __________________ Wendy Beaulieu's Dooney Von Pell- GSD 01/25/2011 RIP- Skye- WGSD 1991-2007 2 psycho cats- Diva & Jake

12-28-2011, 09:07 PM	#2 (permalink)
PaddyD Banned Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: MassaCHEWsetts Posts: 5,222	"barking, growling, lunging, snarling at him and blocking Jack" This is a little confusing. I thought she was protecting Jack and blocking your other brother. Also This is not 'a bit too protective', this is VERY protective.

12-29-2011, 08:10 AM	#5 (permalink)
ponyfarm Master Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 548	Obedience Class! Has she not started yet? She needs to learn her words..sit, down, stay, and whatever you use for NO! .I use "aught". Work on those words, skills all the time, in play, in work. Help her learn to do what you ask. Praise her with treats and your words. Work with her constantly. Have her dragging a leash when people are around so you can quickly redirect her to minding you. You do not want her to deciding on her own who is allowed where. Good luck.

12-29-2011, 08:11 AM	#6 (permalink)
ponyfarm Master Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 548	Sorry, just saw that she is starting 'another obedience class". Perfect!

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