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My New Dog is Over-Protective with Me

936 Views 2 Replies 2 Participants Last post by  boxerpup
I got a 9-month-old boxer/lab female pup 10 days ago. She's very intelligent and easily trained/obedient, but she guards me too much. From the second I brought her home, she immediately became overly attached to me and guarded me from my family and everyone else. I have been using treats or affection for positive reinforcement when she is social/calm and when I'm training her. Negative reinforcement with a verbal "no" or "stop it" and ignoring her, pushing her off of me, or walking away. She is no longer protecting me from my family 98% of the time. She's gotten better but it is still an issue when I take her out in public. A dog trainer saw her territorial behavior when we were at a dog park and she suggested I use scent conditioning with a spray bottle with a 50:50 mix of apple vinegar and water. Now she's friendly when we are walking and first arrive somewhere, but as soon as she settles in or I sit somewhere, she begins to ferociously guard me against the world. The methods I've tried don't help much once she starts doing this. I have to walk away for her to stop, but once I stop moving she settles in and begins to guard again. She does not guard resources, isn't jealous when I pet other dogs or interact with my family, and is submissive to me. I would really appreciate some help, and sorry for the long post.
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Hi,


Everything you did so far is excellent!
The only thing you did that is making her guard you again is when you settle and then have to walk away for her to stop.
Dogs are natural followers but when there is no alpha, they can take the role.
When you sit down at the park or in the house, don't even let her come near you on her own. Tell her "Go" and point away or snap your fingers and say it. Any sound that will catch her attention.
If you want to pet her, call her to you.

Good luck!
Visit Zoopertrooper.com for tips and advice:)
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