Max protecting Rose? - Page 1

An interesting situation is starting to develop between Max and Rose.  If Max thinks Rose is being hurt/attacked/ played too rough with, he will immediately, with full body assertiveness, put himself between her and the offender and then use his body to push the offender out of the way.  Of all my 5 dogs, this is the only situation that I have seen this in. 

To give a bit of a back ground.....  Max is 9 months and is Rose's puppy.  Max is very mild in temperament.  Rose has always treated him far more gently than the rest of her puppies. 

Any thoughts?  I am not concerned or complaining; I just think it is interesting.  Does anyone have this experience in their dog pack?

To add, he even protects Rosé from me in the same manner if he thinks I am playing too rough.  At first I thought he was protecting me, but as I watched, it was very clear he was protecting Rose from me.

>>To add, he even protects Rosé from me in the same manner if he thinks I am playing too rough.  At first I thought he was protecting me, but as I watched, it was very clear he was protecting Rose from me.<<

I would nip that in the bud now before you wind up with a serious conflict on your hands.    Max should not feel he has any right to disciplin you about Rose or anything else and if he's getting the idea that he can do so now at 9 months, its got the potential to be a lot more serious when he matures.

He is not aggressive about it in any way.  It is all body language.  How would I nip this in the bud?  

If he growled or barked or anything along that line, I would know what to do.  All he does is put his very large body between us and pushes me away.

He's not aggressive now because he's a 9 month old puppy still figuring himself out.  When he hits the teenager stage around 15-20 months when he really wants to test, let alone adulthood if you've allowed this to continue you will get the growling over other resources.  Right now, you've probably unwittingly given him what he wants and so he hasn't had to escalate the matter.   

Read what Deanna went through with Prince as you are starting on the same path with Max.

I know what I did with my male to set clear boundaries and establish that all resources are *mine* and he gets them at my sufferance, not his own whims but that was me with my dog.  I am not about to make suggestions for a situation like this across the internet because it is potentially very dangerous for both you and Max.  You've spoken of having a trainer you're working with where you are?  I would talk to them ASAP and get the recommendation based on what they know of Max's temperment and your handling ability.