Joined
·
2,793 Posts
Unless she needs to be walked because you don't have a yard, I'd quit with the walks until she is more accustomed to being with you.
It's not so much that she is protective of you as it is she is unsure of things, and the lunging, growling, and barking are her way of saying "You're scaring me! Stay away or you will regret it!". And guess what? It WORKS! People see her "acting aggressively" and back off. The fact that she is hyper alert, with her tail and ears up during a walk, and relaxes as soon as you get back home is another sign that she is unsure about things.
If you can find a good, positive-based trainer in your area that specializes (or at least has experience) in helping reactive dogs, that would be your best option.
If you can't find and/or afford an in-person trainer, then the Fenzi Dog Sports Academy, an online training school, is running their Dealing with the Bogeyman class in the December session. https://www.fenzidogsportsacademy.com/index.php/courses/84
Oh, one other thing.... don't correct her for growling. Growling is a form of communication, and an important one at that. It is a warning of "I am uncomfortable with what you are doing. Please stop". If she is growling at someone, then they are too close to her. Move her away from them, and see if you can't distract her with a treat or something.
It's not so much that she is protective of you as it is she is unsure of things, and the lunging, growling, and barking are her way of saying "You're scaring me! Stay away or you will regret it!". And guess what? It WORKS! People see her "acting aggressively" and back off. The fact that she is hyper alert, with her tail and ears up during a walk, and relaxes as soon as you get back home is another sign that she is unsure about things.
If you can find a good, positive-based trainer in your area that specializes (or at least has experience) in helping reactive dogs, that would be your best option.
If you can't find and/or afford an in-person trainer, then the Fenzi Dog Sports Academy, an online training school, is running their Dealing with the Bogeyman class in the December session. https://www.fenzidogsportsacademy.com/index.php/courses/84
Oh, one other thing.... don't correct her for growling. Growling is a form of communication, and an important one at that. It is a warning of "I am uncomfortable with what you are doing. Please stop". If she is growling at someone, then they are too close to her. Move her away from them, and see if you can't distract her with a treat or something.
