Hi All,

I am new to this site.
I am in search of some advice. I have a 6 year old Norfolk Terrier bitch which I have had for a year now, she was previously with a KC registered breeder.

Normally our dog is very loving and gentle never barks or shows any form of aggression( she is more timid than anything ). However, over the two week she has shown a couple of signs of being protective and has barked aggressively towards people entering a room ( she is obviously protecting those currently in the room ). This weekend she not only barked but charged towards a family member, no one was hurt thankfully.

I very very sternly told her to stop ( which she did ), I then removed her from the room and put her in a room on her own for approx 2mins. She then came out and I told her to say sorry so she proceeded to go to the person she went for and sat next to them looking at them with puppy eyes.

I do want to make sure this behavior stops and I do not want her to do this again. I do not know what specifically is prompting this reaction. It is strange because she does what she is told and is normally the perfect example of a loving, happy dog.

Please any advice would be very very welcome.

Amz

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I would take her to the vet to ascertain if there is any physical reason for the sudden behavioural change such as deteriorating sight or hearing or pain.

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To the vets, to see if anything is untoward. not a phantom pregnancy is it?

Thank you ever so much for your very quick response.
We are going on holiday on Friday so I will have to take her when we get back. We shouldn't have a problem away as she will be in a garden with people she knows very well and when we go out she's on a lead.
I just want her to know that I will protect her and she doesn't have to fight for me, previously when she felt protective she would sit at my feet.

Thank you so much for posting back I really do appreciate it.

Amz

She has been spayed so she won't be pregnant but as an ex-breeding dog a phantom pregnancy is a possibility.

Apols, but that bit gave me a chuckle, I'm sure you either mean an Accredited Breeder Scheme member, or just that the bitch is KC registered, not the breeder, although you never can tell sometimes!

Hope all goes well at the vets

hiya

She came from an Accredited Breeder ( The breeder is actually someone who judges Cruffs ) I have no reason to believe that our dog was in any way mistreated. She has learned a great deal over the year and is so well behaved normally. I watch loads of dog related programs and use many of the techniques shown, I have never shouted at her and always use positive reinforcement. When she is told off she responds very quickly so this is why the behavior is so unnerving as it's so out of character

I think when we get back we'll have to go to the vets.

Any chance you can get there before you holiday? It may be something that requires treating and can't be left that long?

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I will try ( I have broken my leg so I can't drive ). Might have to go day before we leave take a cab. Make sure she's ok.
Thank you

OK Appointment booked on Thursday ( I will update you all )

Thank you very much for the support, I will update and let all know what the outcome is.

Wonder if you not being yourself (broken leg) is causing the over protectiveness ?

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