Dog has bitten her walker

[Awkwardusername]

Walker has been absolutely amazing about it; dog (large breed, 8 months old) had something in her mouth she shouldn’t have, walker attempted to exchange and dog bit him! We’re absolutely horrified.

At home, she can be a bit possessive but she’s never bitten; if we give her a new toy or a new treat, if we go to her bed (where she’ll take anything we give her), she’ll let us stroke her etc but if she thinks we’re trying to take whatever she has, she’ll growl, but when exchanged for a high value treat she’s no problem and will drop whatever she has straight away.

We asked the walker (very experienced!) for recommendations RE: behaviourist and he said he didn’t think we needed one just yet, but I’m now terrified we have an aggressive, possessive dog who needs help!

Any advice would be hugely appreciated (first time dog owners!). Thank you!

IMDT members are trainers and NOT behaviourists. You will need IMDTB if you want a behaviourist. However they will not be qualified to a high standard so it would be better to get a referral from your vet to a APDC member.

Typically, she’s been out twice today and been an absolute angel both times! Went to the forest and she found what can only be described as some sort of carcass; when we noticed and recalled her she dropped it and came bounding over happily! She also found a wet glove and although she didn’t give it up straight away, we walked away from her and recalled as we walked, and she came running over then too 🙄

Thanks so much all for the advice, I’ve emailed a couple of behaviourists (although one has already replied saying she’s too young for this to be a big problem as she’ll grow out of it…sounds dodgy to me!)