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Protective or possessive?
I'm kinda confused about something that's happening, and my books don't seem
to make it clearer--hopefully you guys can help. When we go walking (the babies, Macula, hubby and/or myself) Macula is very good on leash: she doesn't pull or walk in front of the stroller or anything. She's even getting better about meeting other humans and dogs, unless she feels they are getting too close to or between her and the stroller. Then she starts barking and lunging. Interestingly enough, many folks who, in the past, would probably have told us off for having a "vicious" (sp?) dog with a fraction of this display think its "cute" or "adorable" that Macula is so protective of the babies. Thing is, I don't really want this behaviour. And from what I've read I'm not sure it is protectiveness or if it's possessiveness, and I'm pretty sure I want that even less. While I kinda like the idea that the Pupster is protective of the kids, I don't want her to be aggressive about it (although I'm not sure exactly what I do want exactly) and, once again from what I've read, if she's being possessive then that can lead to hierarchy problems. How do I tell the difference between the two motives? And how do I stop the barking and lunging? What would you consider an appropriate response from a dog being protective (if there is one)? Marie |
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