[PyrNet-L] aggression

[AMOMKate@aol.com]

I am getting a little concerned about the behavior of Tessa, my eight year 
old GSD. She is extremely bonded to me, pretty much to the exclusion of 
anyone else, although she has always liked everyone else in my family just 
fine. She has never shown ONE HINT of aggression before to ANYONE. She does 
bark a warning if a stranger comes to the door but stops immediately when I 
tell her to. She is friendly and calm with all strangers who are let in to 
our house or yard. She is tolerant and calm with my 3 young children, other 
dogs, and the kids' friends. However, ever since I brought my new Pyr puppy 
home one week ago, she has been very upset. The first few days she acted 
depressed and wouldn't come in the house (she's a housedog generally) or 
sleep in my room (she always sleeps there). I took pains for her to always 
feel like the alpha. Leo does not sleep in our room and Tessa always gets 
pats, treats, etc first. But now Tessa has growled several times at my 
children when they have come in my room or even near my room. Last night she 
began barking and even snarled a little at my toddler when he walked near the 
door of my room where she was sleeping and then she growled at him when he 
came near a chew toy she was playing with in our living room.

This is TOTALLY out of character for her but is obviously not something I can 
ignore. Tessa is obedience trained, so I have put her on a downstay and also 
reprimanded her sharply after each incident. I am extremely concerened about 
this. What does everyone think I should do? Oh yes, she is generally quite 
tolerant of the puppy and only growls at him when he comes near her food or 
toys. 

Katie
http://www.attachmentparent.com/