Anyone else’s dog get defensive during family interactions?

My Morkie, Sunny, is 6 years old, and he tends to bark at or even bite when we, the family, interact—whether we’re talking, hugging, or even arguing. It’s really only when we get close. He gets protective of one person at a time, usually his favorite. Anyone else’s dog act like this?

Yep, my dog does the same! It’s like they pick a favorite for the day, and then they get all defensive if anyone gets too close to them. I’m not sure what causes it, but I try to give him space when he’s in his ‘protective’ mode.

@MysteryMaverick
Same here! My dog just doesn’t like being crowded. He’s super chill until someone tries to hug my partner. Then, he gets all growly. Any tips on dealing with it?

Donna said:
@MysteryMaverick
Same here! My dog just doesn’t like being crowded. He’s super chill until someone tries to hug my partner. Then, he gets all growly. Any tips on dealing with it?

I’ve been working on giving him space when he starts acting like that. If he’s in ‘protective’ mode, I try not to force him into situations. It’s hard, though, especially with kids around.

I’ve noticed similar behavior with my dog. He’s fine with adults, but when the kids start getting too close or loud, he can get nippy. Not sure if it’s an anxiety thing or just his nature.

Lilly said:
I’ve noticed similar behavior with my dog. He’s fine with adults, but when the kids start getting too close or loud, he can get nippy. Not sure if it’s an anxiety thing or just his nature.

Could be anxiety. Some dogs get really uneasy with loud noises or fast movements. Have you tried to help him by calming him down before interactions?

@Nathan
Not really, but that sounds like a good idea. Maybe I should try some calming methods first. Thanks for the suggestion!

I had a similar issue with my dog when she was younger. It was more of a territorial thing, but after some training, she started to calm down. Maybe try working with a trainer or doing a temperament test?

@Channel
I was thinking about doing a temperament test, actually! I’ve heard that could help understand what’s going on.

It might just be his temperament. Some dogs are naturally more protective. It could also be a fear thing, so if you notice him being anxious, it could explain the aggression.

K9Commander said:
It might just be his temperament. Some dogs are naturally more protective. It could also be a fear thing, so if you notice him being anxious, it could explain the aggression.

Yeah, Sunny might be more of a nervous dog. I’ll definitely keep an eye on that! Maybe I’ll reach out to a trainer for some tips.

I agree with getting a temperament test done. It might give you a better idea of what Sunny’s triggers are. If he’s picking a favorite, it could help to reinforce boundaries with everyone.

HADASSAH said:
I agree with getting a temperament test done. It might give you a better idea of what Sunny’s triggers are. If he’s picking a favorite, it could help to reinforce boundaries with everyone.

I’ve heard that temperament tests can be super useful. I’d be curious to see what they find out about my dog too. Let us know how it goes!