Help needed (protective Great Dane )

Help! I currently own a 10 month old great dane, who is very protective towards me she is constantly by my side, and follows me around the house she even sleeps on my bed! If she sees something or someone as a threat she will stand infront and 'guard' me this behaviour often results in her lunging toward passersby growling, snapping and barking. Being such a big dog she can easily drag me ontop of a terrified pedestrian in attack mode. Anything she does not deem as a threat, and she will lean against me shivering. She has always been well socialised ever since she was a puppy so it can't be lack of exposure. Any comments would be appreciated.

Hi there.

It sounds to me as if she is a little confused about her role; she's unsure about strangers etc. She's not very confident but thinks its her job to protect you from things she thinks are a threat. In fact you need her to realise that you are there to protect her and that protection is not her job.

But particularly with her size, an issue like this could become serious quite quickly. I would definitely recommend that you take some professional advice from a behaviourist. (But its also important to ind a good one - there are plenty of bad ones out there unfortunately).

OK firstly - if you don't want her on your bed, don't let her get on it.

Shut the bedroom door. Set up some rules and boundaries but you must be consistent with them.

The lunging is not good because of course she can pull you over - I recommend an anti pull harness or a head collar.

But most importantly - get some proper help from an experienced trainer. I would urge you to do this asap because if such a large dog lunges at someone and hurts them, you could be in for a terrible time of it and so could your dog.

These problems can be overcome but you need help with it. If it's any consolation, my Labrador is a rescue who goes beserk at lots of things and lunges like crazy. I use a Dogmatic headcollar and we are having weekly training - it is helping.

I would suggest you Get a trainer/behaviourist in to observe what's going on.

She is in a Fear stage at the moment so that (coupled with the season) could well be triggering this behaviour, but it really needs to stop.

I would also urge you to rethink your stance on her having pups if she is displaying this kind of behaviour. A bitch having a litter brings out protective instincts deeper than the ones that surround you at the moment.

Help! I currently own a 10 month old great dane, who is very protective towards me she is constantly by my side, and follows me around the house she even sleeps on my bed!

I would stop your dog following you around and being constantly at your side. One of the reasons she is displaying this sort of totally inappropriate behaviour is that you have not brought her up to be a competent and confident adult!

ALL dogs need to be trained to be alone otherwise they become OVER dependant on you, suffer from separation anxiety and spend their lives in permanent stress worried about your absence etc.

It might be good for your ego, but it is NOT health for the dog!

If she sees something or someone as a threat she will stand infront and 'guard' me this behaviour often results in her lunging toward passersby growling, snapping and barking. Being such a big dog she can easily drag me ontop of a terrified pedestrian in attack mode. Anything she does not deem as a threat, and she will lean against me shivering. She has always been well socialised ever since she was a puppy so it can't be lack of exposure. Any comments would be appreciated

She is resource guarding you, NOT protecting you from attack, but protecting access to you by anyone else (the way dogs guard food).

This is not appropriate, you need help, FAST before this dog is reported by someone as her behaviour currently makes you liable to prosecution under the DDA and thus leaves her vulnerable to destruction!

I see you live in Essex, I cannot personally recommend anyone on the APDT site there, but I can personally recommend Gary and Caroline; if they cannot help you they will know someone who can, they are very kind and will not be using aversive methods with your dog.

http://www.caninesolutionsdogtraining.co.uk/

Totally agree with the above.
While it is flattering to think our dog is protecting us, it is usually the other way round. The dog is clingy and shouty because it is anxious.
If you want to consult a good trainer, I recomment Gill at Crofters Kennels in Rayleigh.
If you choose one and want to know if I`ve been there, done that and wouldn`t touch them again with a bargepole. pm me.

there is a good yahoo group for owners of timid dogs called shy-k9s

Thanks everyone! obviously size is a big issue and a serious one at that. I'll definately try out some of the links above and check out some trainers in the area. Wish me luck!