What to do if your dog is protective of you?
Hassie Walker
2025-06-12 01:46:19
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If your dog shows guarding behaviours, leave them well alone when they are enjoying food or playing with toys by themselves. Taking things away from your dog as punishment or telling them off for guarding is likely to increase their anxiety about losing things. They may become even more worried and feel the need to protect those valuable things even more. If you need to take something from your dog, swap it for something else that your dog considers to be equally or even more valuable. Offer your dog the better item before trying to take what they have away. You could drop several treats on the ground near your dog, so they have to leave the item to go and eat them. Then you can calmly pick up the item while they’re enjoying themselves. Contact our Behaviour Support Line for free expert advice or ask your vet to refer you to a qualified behaviourist for individual support.
Genoveva Predovic
2025-06-12 01:27:52
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When a dog is protecting a person, he’s reacting to a dog or person approaching the pet owner and himself. It’s important to change a dog’s perspective of people approaching while he’s next to his pet owner. Find treats your protective dog absolutely loves, and then chop them into pea-sized treats. Have a seat on the sofa, and ask your dog to join you. Then, ask a friend to slowly walk into the room and stop at the entrance. As your friend approaches, ask her to toss a steady stream of treats toward your dog’s mouth. If your dog barks at the approaching person, ignore him until he stops. Once your dog stops barking, say “yes” and reward with treats while your friend walks out of the room. Dog training sessions should last 2-3 minutes maximum. If a dog lunges, bites, muzzle punches and/or snaps at someone, then it’s time to bring in a professional.
Lennie Vandervort
2025-06-12 01:20:19
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I would focus on utilising a ‘stay’ command in this case, ideally through a barrier like a baby gate – but not something as obstructing as, say, a tall fence. Have the dog do a ‘stay’ command, then have your kids approach. Give them a hug, move away and give the dog a high-value reward. Repeat this many times. What you’re trying to do is change the dog’s emotional association to people approaching and hugging you. You might want to start with actions smaller than a hug, such as a handshake, or just talking in close proximity. If there’s true danger, I would make sure there is space between the family and the dog while doing this. Sometimes, people train a dog to do a ‘stay’ command through a barrier and the dog still reacts when they’re right next to their pet parent, even if they don’t have a problem from a metre and a half away. In this case, you would have to practise in closer and closer proximity. At that point, while practising, you might want to consider a muzzle to make sure we’re keeping everybody safe.
Jordane Cummings
2025-06-12 01:18:20
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Training will be a gradual process where you socialize your dog with other people and pets. You’ll need to gradually bring his guard down and show him that it isn’t his responsibility to protect you. You will need to alter his position in the perceived pack so he won’t always leap to your defense. If he’s a puppy and the protective nature is only a recent development, then it may take just a couple of weeks to tackle. If this protective aggression has been going on for years, you may need up to 6 weeks to stamp it out entirely. Getting this training right is essential if you want to avoid an accident one day. All it takes is a one-off when somebody accidentally gets too close and your dog bites them in a panic.
Twila Ledner
2025-06-12 00:58:40
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If you have a dog that is becoming overprotective, look out for the warning signs, there are some early warning signs of an overprotective dog. Early signs of a dog that's becoming overprotective include them placing themselves in between you and other people and showing signs of stress when people come near you. Don't let your dog be in control and run your household, have clear boundaries in place and make sure your dog is not controlling you in any way. Distance is also key, if your dog is very close to you, or one particular person then try and get some distance, even though you probably want to, don't spend every waking moment with your dog. Get them used to being left and being in a different room to you, your dog should spend time with other members of your family. Get your partner or other people that live in your home to help with feeding, walking and training your dog, this will help to increase their bond and help your dog to build trust in other people. Try to stay calm, your dog will pick up on your energy, if you are nervous of them acting up when someone comes round your house, they probably will. Obedience training can also help, try and do some obedience training with your overprotective dog, both at home and by attending classes, try and do one or two training sessions with your dog a day, even if they only last for a few minutes.
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