Guarding our house and street

[moneypenny]

Does anyone else have this problem? Penny is perfect when walking anywhere at all, except in our street near our house. She never tries to guard us while we are walking or at a cafe, or anywhere really. She just sniffs the dogs and humans she thinks she likes and ignores everyone else. She doesn't try to guard objects or food. Anyone can reach into her bowl and take even her favourite things without any reaction.
But when we get near our house she is completely different. I am sure she'd never actually bite anyone but the sounds she makes if she sees a dog or person in our street when she is near our house are bloodcurdling. People must think we have got a dangerous dog.
She makes the same racket every time anyone comes to visit, both strangers and members of the family that she adores. But after doing it for about 30 seconds she settles down and lies down at their feet.
Should I try to change her?
I've tried everything to get her to stop but it seems ingrained in her personality.

[bizzylizzy]

Sounds very strange, something's obviously spooking her. I think I'd be a little hesitant about trying to change her behaviour until  you've found the cause, - you could make the situation worse. How old is she? Has she got any problems with eyesight? HAs she always been the same?,We went hiking today and suddenly it started to rain, one of our group put on a rain cape on and Humphrey went ballistic and started barking quite agressively- ) Sometimes it can be seemingly insignifant things that can spark off,,what seems to us as, strange behaviour. I would try and observe here closely and attempt to pinpoint the exact moment when the behaviour starts and see if you can determine what has changed, does your house or visitors cast shadows for example? Its a hard one......! Good luck, - keep,us posted!,

[moneypenny]

Bizzylizzy, she's almost four. She's always done this although it's become very pronounced in the last year. I can't think of anything that has spooked her. It's just so focussed on protecting the front of the house and the adjoining few houses. She acts very aggressively if a dog goes past, but if the same dog is brought in to play, she's fine. She plays normally and doesn't engage in any guarding behaviour with any visiting dogs and people. Perhaps it's just because she loves her home so much?

[bizzylizzy]

Yes, it does sound like a guarding issue, doesn't it? Its just reminded me of what my parents used to tell me about when I was born, we had a black cocker called Jan and apparently from the day Mum brought me home, he was the same. I was put in my pram in the front garden (baby's were "aired" in those days!!), Jan lay under the pram and nobody was allowed to even walk past the house. He also bit the hand of the postman as he pushed the letters through the door!  Someone on here recommended a book on resource guarding recently - maybe that might help?

[lescef]

My two feel it necessary to bark as we drive into our drive and they are getting out of the car. I think at some point somebody, probably with a dog, walked passed as they were getting out. Now they bark even if nobody is there. I thinknit becomes learned behaviour.  We were told to throw kibble on the floor as they get out to distract them. It's actually quite difficult to do so now I just try to get them to watch me as soon as we get out. Basically,  you have to teach an incompatible behaviour in place of what Penny is doing. Will she do a walking watch, or throw kibble in front of her or will she carry something in her mouth?