I am definately going backwards

[rubyduby]

My lovely Amber is 6 1/2 yrs old, she has always been super with other dogs, but recently when we sit down in the park etc, if another dog comes near she goes ballistic, especially if she is sat up on the bench/wall with us, I guess this is a possessive guarding instinct, I am not sure how to get her out of it, I know the obvious answer is not to let her sit up with us, but it is a big part of her walk sitting together....also she has become very dictatorial over the direction she goes in, and will sit till you go out of sight before she will catch up, maybe treats. but then she becomes a pest and wont leave you alone...?

[bizzylizzy]

  I think you?ve answered your own question. Treats might work but only as a distraction before she starts, if you give her treats when she?s already in action, you?re just rewarding her, she?ll believe that?s what?s expected in that situation and carry on doing it every time. Try and stay one step ahead and give her something to do BEFORE she starts, ?look at me? ?give me your paw? - any sort of trick or behaviour that you can reward her for. In the meantime, I wouldn?t encourage her sit on the bench with you at all  but  I?d certainly make her get down once she starts behaving agressivly, its not a punishment, if she thinks its her job to look after you, she?s only doing what she thinks is right, you just need to teach her what she should do rather than what she shouldn?t 

[Mudmagnets]

I think you?ve answered your own question. Treats might work but only as a distraction before she starts, if you give her treats when she?s already in action, you?re just rewarding her, she?ll believe that?s what?s expected in that situation and carry on doing it every time. Try and stay one step ahead and give her something to do BEFORE she starts, ?look at me? ?give me your paw? - any sort of trick or behaviour that you can reward her for. In the meantime, I wouldn?t encourage her sit on the bench with you at all  but  I?d certainly make her get down once she starts behaving agressivly, its not a punishment, if she thinks its her job to look after you, she?s only doing what she thinks is right, you just need to teach her what she should do rather than what she shouldn?t 

Wise words  bizzylizzy