Rose showing increase in Territorial and Aggressiveness? - Page 1

Interesting sight:  My normal calm, quiet, and collected girl is showing an increase in being territorial and aggressive.   I am not concerned.  I am just curious on what this is the result of and if this "new" Rose something that will always be now?

What she is doing (she has never done any of this before):
   "patroling" the property now and growling/barking at anything new or a new sound; not a play response, hackels are up and her tone shows she means business
   More "pushy" on my other males (full grown); instigating more aggressive play
   Playing harder during play time:  tugging and "demanding" the pull toys and ropes more
   I had a new dog on part of the property for training evaluation.  She went balistic with barking (she was in the house, but could still see the dog) and would not quiet down.  My husband finally had to put her in our bedroom.
    Definitly more protective of me.  Even to the point disciplining the puppies if she thinks they are getting rough with me.  She does not do the same with my son or husband.

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Possible factors:
1.  She will be 3 on July 6th
2.  Her pups are now 7 weeks old and she is interacting more with them.
3.  Her pups are now moving about the property a lot more

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Questions:
1.  I figured she would get protective of the puppies, but these are happening even when the puppies are secure in their room.  Is this probably just the hormones and will fad out over the next few months once the puppies have been completely weaned and separated?
2.  If this is the "real" Rose, I need to get it under control.  She is my service dog and goes everywhere with me.  I cannot have any "surprises."  Any recommendations?  I do not want to necessarily "break her" of this, I just want her to know there is a time and place for this and only if I command her.  Protective training is not what I have ever done, so I want to make sure I do it right.

 She is a new mom. She is letting all know...my territory contains  some real important personal concerns...her puppies live there. THAT  is the motherly instinct a female usually shows..She has Grown up!  Many female gsd are not fully mature until 3 yrs old..That age is when most finally snap into their GOD given inherited traits and let it be more visible. .

She also is the motherly patriarch to her pups..She is BOSS now..She is being a Shepherd...SHEPHERDS  herd, check perimeters and stand down to keep their master and their own babies safe..

Good Rosie.  Many people prefer a female for a personal family protection at home..They have deep close ties to family  ..Males are more stout, more bold sometimes and usually more stubborn in their traits, but it is personal preference..I like one of each...lol

As soon as the pups are all at their new homes and you keep the ones you are going to keep, it would be a wonderful time to take her by herself to parks and places and do some deep obedience for her and let her do some agility ..AKC has some good programs..let her do jumps etc..They guide you and it is fun.. let her do some work and channel her new vivacious bossiness...reward her for all her good traits. DO not let her cow down any pup..If she starts getting too rough with new pups...seperate and remain vigil at all times..Moms can get pretty strong, especially if pups are a nuisance and a BraT>....

I want my pups to be BRATS..

YR

can i see ur dogs pedigree im just a bit suprised territorial aggression came out this late, maybe it is totally just related to your dogs pups and will go away after they are gone. I have a strong feeling when the pups are gone she will go back to her normal self again.I don't think she will turn into something she never was.JMHO

I do not have a pedigree on Rose.

YR has said it all, she has matured and become a new mom with all her maternal instincts coming into play, She might return to the placid girl she was befor the pups but then again she might not especially as she has pups staying, all realy depends on the bitch and your ability to control her, as you say you have no pedigree on her so you don't realy know what her breeding back ground is. I had a bitch that after having pups refused to work again she became a right premadonna lol.
Good luck

I am keeping 1 of the mommy brats (maybe 2).  I did notice yesterday evening that Rose was inserting dominiance to all the puppies.  She was rolling them over and laying on top of them. She actually went to each one of them and did it.   6 of the 8 thought it was fun and games and then tried to do the same to Rose (that was funny).  2 of them backed way down and got very submissive to her.

I will watch to make sure she does not cow any of them.  Rose and I have to get back to the full service dog mode, so that will keep us very entertained for awhile (sucks MS is creeping back in; really bad timing).  Since I go to Dallas usually once a month, I will look into the clubs there; I think agility will be fun.  I am also interested in that for one of the pups I am keeping.